A psychological assessment can include many components such as information from tests, surveys, interviews, medical evaluation, observational data, and other records. A family member or loved one may be asked to accompany you during a psych evaluation. They can provide insights, observations, and perspectives helping the psychologist assess your current strengths and needs.

Be ready to share any medical issues you are experiencing. Know all of the medications and supplements you take, including recreational drugs. This helps a psychologist rule out physical health problems, medication side effects, and issues with drug interactions. Make a list of questions and concerns for the clinician. During an appointment, it’s easy to forget questions about the need for the test, its risks, and what the results mean. By writing them ahead of time, you will remember and have the confidence to ask during the psych evaluation.

A mental health assessment could cause you a variety of emotions. Depending on the reasons for a psych evaluation, you may feel resentful, hostile, afraid, or anxious. These are all common reactions to someone evaluating how you think and feel. Remember that psychologists are here to help you work through problems, not to judge you. If you are not willing to work with the clinician or complete the tests honestly, you are sacrificing the first step of receiving help.