Have you ever wondered, “Is what I’m feeling normal?” or “Do others struggle like I do?” Maybe you’ve gone down a late-night internet rabbit hole, typing in, “How do I know if something’s wrong with me?” If you find it hard to connect with others, frequently feel overwhelmed, or struggle to keep up with work or daily life, know that you’re not alone. While ups and downs are part of life, some of us feel like our minds have always been a battlefield. If that sounds familiar, a psychodiagnostic assessment might provide the clarity you’ve been searching for. 

Psychodiagnostic assessments can be particularly important for children or adults with multiple or complex mental health concerns. If you have previously tried different types of mental health medication, or different types of counselling or therapy, but are continuing to struggle, a psychodiagnostic assessment may be the best course of action for you to receive answers and clarity about your mental health. Medication and counselling/therapy are not one-size-fits all and treating symptoms without understanding their underlying cause or exactly what the issue is, can lead to ineffective or even counter-productive treatment. Undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders (such as autism or ADHD) are one major reason that people can find medication or counselling/therapy ineffective, and while a psychodiagnostic assessment is not intended to diagnose neurodevelopmental disorders, it can often uncover these hidden underlying symptoms and give better suggestions for future assessment and treatment.  

At Love This Therapy, we offer psychodiagnostic assessments to help you gain a deeper understanding of your mental health. Using research-backed tools like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), we help you uncover the underlying factors shaping your experiences and provide insights to support your well-being. 

What Is a Psychodiagnostic Assessment? 

A psychodiagnostic assessment is a structured, evidence-based evaluation used to identify and diagnose psychological conditions. It’s a process that goes beyond just ticking off symptoms on a checklist—it examines personality, emotional, and behavioural patterns to provide a full picture of what’s going on in your mind. 

During the assessment, our psychologist will use a combination of: 

• Clinical Interviews – A structured conversation where we get to know you, your history, and your symptoms. At Love This Therapy we use the best and most current structured diagnostic interviews (based on evidence and research) to assess and diagnose mental health disorders. 

• Standardized Psychological Tests (self or observer report measures)– Including personality assessments, and mental health symptom inventories. 

• DSM-5-TR Criteria – The gold standard for diagnosing mental health conditions, ensuring that your assessment is based on the latest research and best practices (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2022). 

The result? A clear understanding of your mental health that can guide treatment, therapy, medication recommendations, and personal growth. 

Why the DSM-5-TR Matters 

The DSM-5-TR (APA, 2022) is a living document of a guidebook, that gets regularly updated. Used by psychologists worldwide to diagnose and classify mental disorders. It provides standardized criteria for conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and more. 

If you have concerns about a clinical label defining you—don’t worry. Psychodiagnostic assessments are not solely about putting people in boxes. It’s about giving us a shared language to understand mental health and provide the right treatment. It helps us distinguish between different conditions, recognize overlapping symptoms, and most importantly, tailoring support to your unique needs. 

What Can a Psychodiagnostic Assessment Cover? 

Glad you asked! A psychodiagnostic assessment can provide insight into whether you or your child may be experiencing one or multiple of the following disorders: 

• Depressive Disorders (Major Depressive disorder, Persistent Depressive disorder, Premenstrual Dysphoric disorder) 

• Anxiety Disorders (Generalized Anxiety disorder, Social Anxiety disorder, Panic disorder, Illness Anxiety disorder, Separation Anxiety disorder, Specific Phobias, Selective Mutism) 

• Bipolar Disorders (Bipolar I and II, Cyclothymic disorder) 

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD, Hoarding disorder, Body Dysmorphic disorder) 

• Eating Disorders (Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, Binge Eating disorder) 

• Personality Disorders (Borderline Personality disorder, Narcissistic Personality disorder, Antisocial Personality disorder, Dependent Personality disorder, etc.) 

• Trauma-Related Disorders (PTSD, Adjustment disorder) 

• Psychotic Disorders (Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective disorder, Delusional disorder) 

• Dissociative Disorders (Dissociative Identity disorder, Dissociative Amnesia, Depersonalization/Derealization disorder) 

• Addictive Disorders (Alcohol and Substance use disorders, Gambling disorder)  

• Somatic symptom disorders (Conversion disorders/Functional Neurological disorder, Factitious disorder, Somatic Symptom disorder) 

Who can Diagnose?  

When it comes to mental health, you want to make sure you’re in the hands of a true expert. Diagnosing mental health conditions isn’t something anyone can do—it is a protected act in British Columbia which requires extensive training and experience from specific medical professionals. Counsellors, therapists or social workers are not able to give diagnoses.  Psychologists, for example, go through years of rigorous education and hands-on practice. They start with an undergraduate degree in psychology, often followed by a master’s, and then complete a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.). But their training doesn’t stop there. They spend another year in a full-time residency or internship, gaining real-world experience in clinical settings, similar to the residency training that doctors and psychiatrists go through. This in-depth education and supervised practice ensure that your assessment is accurate, reliable, and based on the latest research in the field. 

The Benefits of a Psychodiagnostic Assessment 

1. Clarity & Understanding 

No more second-guessing or self-diagnosing based on social media posts. A professional assessment gives you a clear, evidence-based understanding of your mental health. 

2. Personalized Treatment 

Once you have a clear diagnosis (or multiple diagnoses), our psychologist provides valuable resources on treatment options, including therapy and suggestions to speak to your doctor about medication when necessary. At Love This Therapy, we also offer counselling services to support you in understanding your diagnosis and working towards mental wellness. One of the key reasons for previously ineffective treatment may be a lack of understanding of which mental health disorder(s) may be perpetuating your mental health symptoms. Certain types of counselling or therapy are clinically proven to work best for specific mental health concerns. Without a clear understanding of what the underlying mental health difficulties you or your child are experiencing, finding the right type of treatment can be a costly, frustrating and lengthy guessing game.  

3. Validation & Relief 

Receiving a professional diagnosis can bring immense relief, affirming that your struggles are real and not just “in your head.” Understanding your diagnosis or diagnoses helps put your experiences into context, offering reassurance and making you feel less isolated in your journey. 

4. Access to Resources & Accommodations 

A diagnosis can help you access workplace accommodations, school support, or even disability benefits. This can be life changing for people struggling in professional or academic settings. 

5. Improved Relationships 

Understanding yourself on a deeper level allows you to communicate your needs more clearly and effectively, which can transform your relationships with partners, family, and friends. When you recognize your emotional patterns, triggers, and challenges, you can set healthier boundaries, manage conflicts with greater ease, and foster more meaningful connections. Additionally, having a formal diagnosis can help loved ones better understand and support you, creating an environment of empathy and mutual respect. Stronger self-awareness can also lead to increased confidence in expressing your thoughts and emotions, ultimately improving trust and connection in your relationships. 

Who Should Consider a Psychodiagnostic Assessment? 

• If you’ve been experiencing persistent and disruptive difficulties with mental health, such as: emotional distress, mood swings, or anxiety that’s disrupting your daily life. 

• If you’ve been in counselling or therapy (and/or taken psychiatric medication) but feel like it’s been ineffective/does not take into account everything you are experiencing or feeling. Like you’re missing a key piece of the puzzle. 

• If you’re seeking accommodation at work or school and need official documentation. 

How Love This Therapy Can Help 

At Love This Therapy, we offer comprehensive psychodiagnostic assessments. Our assessments are conducted by our psychologist who takes a compassionate approach—because we know you’re more than just a diagnosis. 

We provide: 

• Thorough, research-based assessments using gold standard assessment measures (both structured diagnostic interviews as well as report measures) 

• A warm and supportive environment (no judgment, we promise!) 

• Detailed reports with personalized recommendations 

• Guidance on next steps—whether that’s therapy, coaching, additional support, or information that may help your doctor or psychiatrist inform your medication regimen to better address your symptoms 

To read more about the psychodiagnostic assessment process at Love this Therapy, click [here]. 

Final Thoughts 

Getting a psychodiagnostic assessment isn’t about labeling yourself—it’s about empowerment. It’s about finally getting the answers you deserve, so you can move forward with confidence, clarity, and the right support. 

So, if you’ve ever wondered, “What’s going on with me?”—maybe it’s time to stop guessing and start knowing. We’re here to help. You can reach us at 604-229-4887 or info@lovethistherapy.com  to inquire about a psychodiagnostic assessment at Love This Therapy. Let’s get you on the path to clarity and healing. 

References 

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text revision). American Psychiatric Publishing.