Psychodiagnostic Assessment

Psychodiagnostic assessment is a comprehensive clinical-psychological evaluation of an individual’s developmental and personality characteristics. It is conducted through a detailed psychodiagnostic interview, psychological observation, and the use of so-called natural-experimental situations—real-life scenarios that evoke the underlying problem. The primary objective is to accurately and reliably identify the issue that requires professional intervention.

In addition to interviews and observation, the assessment process includes the use of standardized psychodiagnostic instruments. These tools provide objective insight into various psychological domains, such as:

• Intellectual functioning
• Personality traits
• Potential personality disorders
• Developmental difficulties
• Clinical symptoms, signs, and syndromes

Tailored Approach and Duration

The scope and duration of the assessment depend on the reason for referral, and may therefore vary. Each evaluation is further shaped by the individual characteristics of the client, including:

• Age and gender
• Cognitive and intellectual capacities
• Personality structure
• Presence of psychological symptoms or disorders

Assessments are conducted differently for children and adults. A personalized, client-centered approach ensures that the process is adapted to the unique needs of each individual.

The Clinical Interview

The clinical psychodiagnostic interview—or, in certain contexts, a forensic-psychological interview—typically lasts between one and three hours, though it may take longer when necessary. It involves the collection of:

• Auto-anamnestic data (information provided by the client)
• Hetero-anamnestic data (information from third parties, such as parents or caregivers, particularly when working with children)

This information is collected with the client’s knowledge and consent, always in the interest of supporting their psychological well-being.

Working with Children

When assessing children, observation often takes place in the child’s natural environment—such as the home or school setting—especially if a formal clinical setting might cause distress. The process is carefully adapted to the child’s developmental stage and emotional needs.

A key component of working with children (and with all clients) is the establishment of transfer —a trusting, respectful connection between the psychologist and the client. Trust begins to form during the initial meeting and continues to develop throughout the psychodiagnostic process.

From Assessment to Support

In some cases, the psychodiagnostic process serves as the foundation for ongoing psychological support. If the client chooses, the process may transition into psychotherapeutic work with the same psychologist who conducted the assessment.

My goal is to offer professional, compassionate, and individualized care that supports each client’s mental health and overall well-being.

            Reasons for Psychodiagnostic Assessment

Clients may seek a psychodiagnostic assessment for a variety of reasons. In certain cases, a comprehensive assessment may also include biological testing or brain imaging, which is conducted in appropriately equipped medical institutions offering such services. For example, when there is suspicion of dementia or organic causes of psychological disorders, it is often necessary to obtain an opinion from a radiologist, neurologist, or psychiatrist. This helps confirm or rule out the presence of organic causes of psychopathology—also known as “psycho-organic syndromes.”

Scope of the Assessment

Following the detailed collection of anamnestic data (covering the client’s history from birth to the present), the assessment proceeds to an in-depth analysis of various aspects of psychological functioning, including:

• Consciousness
• Cognitive abilities: intelligence, memory, attention, perception, thinking, and speech
• Emotional functioning
• Personality: personality structure, dominant traits, and possible pathological traits or personality disorders
• Volitional and instinctual dynamics, motivation
• Psychosomatic symptoms, and the relationship between physical and mental health

Clients are offered the choice of receiving feedback either verbally or in written form. However, it is recommended that all psychological services be documented in writing, enabling the client to review the services received, track assessment activities, and reflect more thoroughly on their mental health status.

Upon completion of the psychodiagnostic assessment, clients are provided with individualized recommendations regarding further steps they can take to support or improve their mental health—particularly if any concerns or risks related to psychological disorders have been identified.

Psychodiagnostic Instruments

Psychological instruments used in psychodiagnostic practice offer an objective evaluation of specific abilities, personality traits, and even unconscious processes or impulses.

Assessment of Intellectual Abilities

Cognitive functioning is evaluated using standardized ability tests, including intelligence tests, which provide a quantitative measure known as the Intelligence Quotient (IQ). These assessments are especially valuable when there is concern about intellectual disability or significant developmental delays.

Assessing intellectual capacity is crucial for both children and adults experiencing difficulties with learning or acquiring specific skills. This is especially important for children who struggle to keep up with school curricula, as the results can inform tailored educational planning and help set realistic developmental expectations. Recognizing a child’s actual abilities supports healthy development and helps prevent harm caused by unrealistic demands.

Intellectual assessments may include:

• Evaluation of general knowledge and formal education level
• Short-term and long-term memory testing
• Verbal fluency and expressive language skills
• Logical thinking and cognitive processing (thought flow and content)
• Reasoning and problem-solving abilities
• Psychomotor and graphomotor coordination (fine and gross motor skills)
• Learning potential through trial and error, insight-based learning, and other learning methods
• Neuropsychological status, assessing brain functioning and the coordination between the nervous system and psychological processes

Personality Assessment

Personality testing provides insight into an individual’s psychological makeup and emotional functioning. It may include:

• Evaluation of personality structure and dominant traits
• Assessment of personality development and resolution of psychosocial crises
• Emotional profile, including susceptibility to anxiety or depressive responses
• Assessment of potential for psychotic symptomatology
• Presence of aggression or hostile tendencies
• Screening for personality pathology (presence of personality disorders)
• Exploration of unconscious characteristics of personality, such as defense mechanisms, hidden impulses, fears, desires, needs, guilt, and conscience

Unconscious processes are assessed using projective techniques and instruments, which help access deeper layers of the individual’s inner psychological world.