Psychometric instruments are used within the NHS, the voluntary sector and in research to help clinicians understand the client better. Some insurance companies may want to see progress and therefore it would be beneficial to use them. Since the instruments are based on self reported data, the scores may fluctuate over time. That’s why they are usually filled in regular intervals.

Depression and Anxiety

The most common and widely used instruments within the NHS are the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7). These instruments help practitioners to assess the severity of depression and anxiety. The Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation (CORE-OM) assesses general wellbeing, problems/symptoms, functioning and risks.

Trauma, Stress & Dissociation

The Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R) assesses the presence of post traumatic stress.The Dissociative Experiences Scale – (DES-II) screens for levels of dissociation.

Couples & Intimate Relationships

The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) helps to differentiates positive dyadic adjustment from distressed couples. It has a cut-off score where separation may be likely. There are four subscales: consensus, satisfaction, cohesion and affectional expression. In some instances couples counselling can be contraindicated.

Neurodivergence

At the moment I am using the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS). More to follow soon.

Frequently
Asked
Questions:

Why did you ask me to fill in these questionnaires?
These questionnaires are entirely voluntary and there is no need to fill them in if you don’t want to. These questionnaires are helpful in early stages of therapy for us both to get a shared understanding of your challenges.

Will you diagnose me based on these questionnaires?
I prefer to use the term assessment because diagnostic labels still hold stigma and shame. Assessments are for us both to be on the same page on what problems we are working on. Psychometric assessments can support this process and yet we don’t have to use them if you don’t feel comfortable filling in questionnaires. As a humanistic therapist, I work from a belief that you are the expert of your experience. There are rare exceptions where diagnostic labels might be helpful and those are when there is a clear benefit for you to gain access to resources, or to communicate with other services and mental health practitioners.

What will happen with the results?
We will discuss your scores and what they mean in our next session.

How often do I have to take the questionnaires?
This depends on what we are working on. Broadly speaking, psychometrics might be more helpful in early stages of therapy and over time they will be less needed.

Can I stop using them even though I agreed at the beginning of therapy?
Absolutely, you can always tell me if you change your mind.