More Information

HPC Registered clinical psychologists with specialist knowledge and expertise and training in preparing reports for the courts/giving evidence in court. Instructions can be received in relation to a number of highly specialist areas of clinical work including trauma, brain injury, parenting ability and mental capacity.  Appointments can be offered at a number of venues across the south of England and, if pre-arranged, home visits and prison visits can be undertaken.

What are the benefits to the client & referrer?

• Provision of highly specialist expert report to the courts by experienced, trained clinicians
• Practitioners experienced in preparing reports for both defendants and claimants
• Opinion/recommendations can provide specific guidance on capacity, treatment options, prognostic questions and the potential need for additional assessments

• Instructions can be dealt with quickly and efficiently by a service with a track record of delivering high quality reports to specific requirements and deadlines
• Use of a broad range of psychometric measures by practitioners experienced in the assessment of effort and malingering/exaggeration

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I know if I need to see a Clinical Psychologist?

  It is not unusual to be assessed by a Clinical Psychologist as part of a criminal case or personal injury claim. Your solicitor (or another solicitor) can formally ask for this to take place and request that the Clinical Psychologist assesses particular aspects of your situation and answers particular questions e.g. whether you have psychological difficulties, what these are and whether they are likely to change/improve. In these cases, the Clinical Psychologist will be referred to as an ‘expert’ and will have a duty to the court to provide evidence which is fair and unbiased. It is common for you to discuss this with your solicitor before being assessed so that you understand what the Clinical Psychologist is being asked to assess you for.

• Who will I see?

  The type of Clinical Psychologist you see will be influenced by the nature of your difficulties. However, you will be seen by a qualified Clinical Psychologist, with specialist experience relevant to your difficulties. They will be registered with the Health Professions Council.

• What will happen at the appointment?

  The Clinical Psychologist will assess you, often in some detail. This is likely to involve asking questions about the background to your difficulties, your thoughts/feelings about your situation or condition and how these might be interfering with your everyday life, in terms of relationships, work and your day-to-day functioning etc.
  
  In many psychological assessments you will be asked to complete questionnaires and, in some cases complete formal assessments/tests. People have very different experiences of this, but it is important to remember that these tests are often not designed to simulate everyday life tasks and are also rarely tests that you ‘pass or fail’. They are generally used to help the psychologist understand your difficulties more precisely. Although the Clinical Psychologist is likely to have had access to your medical records and other ‘expert’s’ reports, they might ask questions that you have been asked before in order to clarify particular things with you or assess as to whether things have changed since you were last asked.
  
  The appointment is often lengthy (possibly lasting 3-4 hours) although you will be advised of this in advance. You might also be travelling some way to the appointment. If possible, it is often helpful to have someone accompany you to the appointment, like a relative or friend.

• What will happen after this appointment?

  If your own solicitor requested the psychological assessment you are likely to be able to read through the report and discuss the contents with the solicitor. However, if another solicitor requested the assessment then it is unlikely that you will see the final report.
  
  The Clinical Psychologist might make recommendations regarding treatment or further assessment by other practitioners.
  
  In some cases, the Clinical Psychologist is asked to reassess you in the future to consider questions relating to your progress, ongoing recovery/changes. This often involves another appointment which can sometimes be shorter than the original assessment.

• How might this affect my NHS treatment or care?

  Whilst this assessment is separate from your NHS treatment/care it is possible that opinions are given or recommendations made regarding further or additional treatment. In most cases, this should not affect your existing treatment or care.