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The concept of assessment in central to psychotherapy. While the majority of
therapeutic practitioners are in agreement regarding the importance of the assessment
process, a great divide exists in relation to the form which the assessment process
must take. While many advocates of the art of assessment may argue in favour of
uniqueness over formula, those in favour of the science of assessment question the
efficacy of particular methods. This study explores the role of assessment in
psychotherapy by attempting to identify core concepts which are found in the
assessment process of individual practitioners. This study has a thematic design, using
a qualitative interview including scaling questions. It incorporates subjective feedback
from each participant in relation to a uniformed set of questions which are interwoven
into a semi-structured interview. The study explores each participants philosophy
regarding the use of assessment within their own therapeutic work in order to identify
common themes. This small-scale study has managed to identify four main
components which individual participants highlight within their own assessment
process, without claiming to have discovered a secret formula which may be adopted
by all .concerned. The issues that arise around the assessment process in
psychotherapy are complex and often unique to individual situations, however
parallels do exist. While continued reflection on this subject which is so central to our
work as therapists' is required for further knowledge, large-scale research may also
offer some clarity in this area which is filled with ambiguity. Nevertheless, we must
never forget the uniqueness of each individual participant in the assessment process;
the client, the therapist and perhaps, the separate assessor.
