Assessment and Formulation

Assessment and formulation are key parts of understanding a young person's emotional wellbeing, behaviour, relationships, and experiences and internal world. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms or difficulties, they aim to develop a holistic understanding of the young person's life, strengths, needs, and the underlying factors that may be influencing their current presentation.

What is an Assessment?

A psychological assessment is a structured process of gathering information about a young person's experiences, development, relationships, emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and current difficulties. Information may be collected through conversations with the young person, parents, carers, and professionals, as well as through observations, questionnaires, and review of relevant records.

The assessment explores areas such as:

  • Emotional wellbeing and mental health

  • Behaviour and functioning across different settings

  • Family relationships and attachment experiences

  • Developmental history

  • Educational experiences

  • Trauma, loss, or significant life events

  • Strengths, interests, and protective factors

The aim is not simply to identify problems but to understand the young person's unique experiences and what may be contributing to their current difficulties.

What is Formulation?

Formulation is the process of making sense of the information gathered during assessment. It brings together the young person's experiences, relationships, strengths, and challenges to create a shared understanding of why difficulties may have developed and what may be maintaining them.

A formulation considers questions such as:

  • What has happened to this young person?

  • How have their experiences shaped the way they see themselves and others?

  • What needs might their behaviour be communicating?

  • What strengths and resources can be built upon?

  • What support is most likely to help?

Rather than applying a "one-size-fits-all" explanation, formulation recognises that every young person's story is unique.

Benefits of Assessment and Formulation

Assessment and formulation can help:

  • Provide clarity and understanding around complex behaviours and emotions

  • Identify unmet emotional, developmental, or relational needs

  • Inform effective care planning and intervention strategies

  • Support carers, families, and professionals to respond in a more consistent and therapeutic way

  • Improve communication between professionals involved in the young person's care

  • Highlight strengths and resilience, alongside areas of difficulty

  • Ensure support is tailored to the individual rather than based on assumptions

My Approach

I work collaboratively with the professional network around children and young people and include the child or young person if appropriate. By bringing together different perspectives, a shared understanding can be developed that helps guide meaningful and effective support.

The ultimate goal is to move beyond asking "What's wrong with this young person?" and instead ask "What has happened to them, what do they need, and how can we best support them to thrive?