For individuals and families

If you or someone in your family has been affected by an accident, a frightening event, difficulties at work or medical care that went wrong, and you are making a claim, your solicitor may ask for a psychological report. This page explains what that involves.

What a psychological assessment is

It is a careful, independent look at how the event has affected you: your mood, sleep, memories of what happened, how you are managing at work or school and at home, and what is likely to help. It is not therapy and it is not a test you can pass or fail. It is written up as a report for your solicitor and, if the claim goes that far, for the court.

How to arrange one

You are welcome to email me directly at info@amckiernan.ie to ask about an assessment, and I will reply promptly, typically within 24 hours. To go ahead with an assessment I need a short referral from your GP or your solicitor (or, in a workplace case, from your employer's solicitor or HR department with your agreement). This keeps the assessment tied to the claim from the start and makes sure everyone involved knows what is being prepared. If you have no solicitor, your GP can refer you.

My work is limited to civil claims. I do not provide reports for criminal cases.

What happens

  1. Your GP or solicitor sends me a referral by email.
  2. I send you a secure link to an online form and some questionnaires. These take about 45 minutes and can be done at home.
  3. We meet by video for about 90 minutes, usually on a Tuesday evening. You do not need to travel. If the assessment is for a child, a parent or guardian is on the call.
  4. The report is completed about a week later. Your solicitor will go through it with you.

Things people ask

Will it be upsetting? We talk about what happened, so it can be. We go at your pace, and we can pause. Most people find it a relief to have the whole picture set out properly.

Do you take sides? No. My duty is to give an honest, independent opinion whoever instructs me. That is what makes the report useful.

Is it confidential? The report goes only to those involved in your claim. The video interview is recorded and transcribed through a GDPR-compliant service on EU servers and deleted once the report is complete.

What does it cost? There is a single fixed fee, confirmed when the assessment is arranged.

Can you treat me afterwards? No. If treatment would help, the report says what kind and roughly how much, and your GP or solicitor can arrange it. Keeping assessment and treatment separate keeps the report independent.

If you need help now

If you are in distress, contact your GP, or ring Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24 hours), or Pieta on 1800 247 247. In an emergency, ring 999 or 112.