Depression Assessment: Private Depression Diagnosis for Adults
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions, affecting around one in six adults in the UK at some point in their lives.¹ It is more than feeling low or having a difficult few days; depression involves a persistent low mood, loss of interest, and physical and cognitive symptoms that can affect every part of daily life.²
A depression assessment is used to determine whether your symptoms are consistent with a depressive disorder, while also ruling out or recognising overlapping conditions such as anxiety, burnout, ADHD, PTSD, or bipolar disorder. A private depression diagnosis can bring clarity, support treatment planning, and offer guidance on the next steps. Assessments are available in person in London and online for adults across the UK.
The Benefits of Getting a Depression Assessment
There are several benefits to being assessed for depression as an adult.
A depression assessment may help you…³,⁴
01
- Make sense of symptoms that may have built up gradually or felt difficult to name
02
- Receive a clear, evidence-based picture of what you’re experiencing and how severe it is
03
- Access recognised, NICE-recommended treatments, including CBT, interpersonal therapy, or medication where appropriate
04
- Understand whether other conditions, such as anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, or bipolar disorder, may be contributing to how you feel
05
- Provide support for workplace adjustments, such as flexible hours, time off for treatment, or a phased return to work
06
- Plan a way forward with structured, specialist support rather than continuing to manage alone
07
- Build confidence in identifying your strengths, as well as the areas you’d like support with
What a Private Depression Assessment Involves
As a Chartered Counselling Psychologist, I assess and diagnose depression in adults, with assessments available in person in London and online across the UK. To help you better understand the process, I’ve outlined the criteria I consider and the process I follow below.
Diagnosis Criteria
Depression assessments follow established guidelines, including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), which are used by psychologists and psychiatrists worldwide.⁵,⁶ NICE guidance is also used to inform decisions about severity and recommended treatment.⁴
To meet the criteria for a depressive disorder, symptoms typically include several of the following:
- Persistent low mood, sadness, or feeling 'flat' for most of the day, nearly every day
- Loss of interest or pleasure in things you usually enjoy
- Fatigue or low energy, even after rest
- Changes in sleep – sleeping much more or much less than usual
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Difficulties concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or being a burden
- Slowed movement or speech, or feeling agitated and restless
- Recurrent thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide
Symptoms must also have been present for at least two weeks, significantly affect daily life, and not be better explained by another condition, medication, or physical health issue.
What Happens During an Assessment?
- During the assessment, I will ask a range of questions to understand your experiences and whether they align with depression. This often includes your medical and mental health history, current symptoms, sleep, energy, work and home life, key relationships, and any recent changes or stressors. We’ll also explore how long symptoms have been present and how they’re affecting day-to-day functioning.
- I use validated clinical tools – such as the PHQ-9 and structured clinical interviews – alongside the conversation to help build an accurate picture, and consider whether other conditions (such as anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, or bipolar disorder) may better explain or sit alongside what you’re experiencing.⁷
- There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers. The assessment is there to make sense of your experiences. If a diagnosis is made, I will talk you through what this means in practical terms, including the likely severity, type of depression, treatment options, and the next steps available to you.
Book a Private Depression Assessment in London
If you suspect that you may be experiencing depression, you are welcome to get in touch. I am a HCPC-registered Counselling Psychologist and a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS). I have specialist training and extensive experience in mood disorder assessment and treatment, and have worked across NHS services, private clinics, and academic settings.
What this means for you:
- Your assessment is conducted to the highest clinical standards, in line with NICE guidance for depression
- Every step of the process is informed by research and best practice, ensuring accuracy and reliability
- Results are interpreted in a way that is meaningful and actionable, helping you understand your symptoms and access tailored support
- You can choose between in-person appointments in central London or secure online sessions, depending on what feels most comfortable
Contact me to arrange an assessment or to ask any questions you have about the depression assessment process.
FAQs About Depression Assessment
It’s natural to have questions about being assessed for depression. Below, I’ve answered some of the most common queries I receive about adult depression assessments.
Depression assessments are carried out by appropriately trained mental health professionals, such as clinical or counselling psychologists, psychiatrists, and GPs.⁸ As a psychologist trained in depression assessment and treatment, please reach out to me if you are searching for a private depression assessment for adults in London or online.
Low mood is a normal human experience that often lifts within a few days or weeks. Depression is a more persistent and pervasive low mood that lasts for at least two weeks, involves a wider range of symptoms, and significantly affects daily life. The two often overlap, which is why a thorough assessment matters – so support can be matched to what you’re actually experiencing.²
Yes. There are several types of depressive disorders, including major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder (longer-lasting, lower-level depression), seasonal affective disorder, and depression that occurs as part of bipolar disorder.⁵ Identifying the type of depression matters because it shapes the most effective treatment options.
Yes. Depression assessments can be completed online via secure video sessions, which can make accessing assessment more manageable when energy and motivation feel low. In-person appointments in central London are also available.
Some of the key signs of depression include:¹,²
- Persistent low mood or sadness lasting weeks or longer
- Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities
- Tiredness, low energy, and feeling ‘slowed down’
- Changes in sleep, appetite, or weight
- Difficulties concentrating or making decisions
- Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness
- Withdrawal from people or social situations
- Recurring thoughts of self-harm or suicide