Who is Evolve Psychology Services?

We are an independent psychology and neurodevelopmental practice based in Harrogate.  We provide independent psychological assessments, therapy and training for families, children and adults. Our services continue for schools and businesses, parole boards, courts, prisons, immigration tribunals and legal teams.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments and Management
• ADHD Diagnosis and Management
• Developmental Delay, Cognitive and Learning Assessments
• Children with Behavioural and Emotional Difficulties
•  Adults and Child psychological therapies
• Adolescent and child psychiatry

What Criminal Law and Prison Law services do you offer?

Dr Powling and associates of Evolve focus on the clinical/ psychological presentation of the client, which incorporates all aspects of their functioning, in addition to their risk.

We endeavour to ensure that all clients receive a holistic and integrated assessment that identifies all aspects of their needs. This means mental health/ personality/ neuropsychology assessments are functionally linked to risk issues identified and any needs that the courts need to be aware of.

We provide report that highlight risk issues, are fair, evidence-based and structured. The report also focus upon protective factors and strengths, in addition to things that the client might need to work on. Assessments are detailed and fully address each aspect of the instructing statements.

The focus of the assessment may include:

• Risk assessments for violent, sexual, and fire-setting offenders of all levels of risk, both in prison and in the community
• DSPD services and assessments
• CSC assessments
• On-going treatment planning
• Fitness to plead and stand trial
• Pre- sentencing assessments, Pre-trial assessments, Pre-Tariff Assessments
• Personality Disorder Assessments
• PCL-R assessments
• Neurodevelopmental problems e.g. assessments for Autistic Spectrum Conditions
• Assessments for Learning Disabilities
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Category A reviews
• Parole board assessments
• Neuropsychology
• Capacity assessments
• Mental Health assessments such as PTSD, depression etc
• Assessments for young offenders.

Do you provide Family Court Expert Witness services?

We offer assessments of parents and children in the context of Care Proceedings. Dr Powling works clinically in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Looked After Children’s Services.

Areas covered in assessments typically include:

Parents

• Parenting capacity including forensic risk assessments
• Mental health issues
• Adult Attachment
• Impact of histories of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional) on parenting
• History of drugs/alcohol/domestic violence on parenting
• Family dynamics
• Ability to protect
• Work with professionals
• Cognitive assessment
• Therapeutic needs and signposting to relevant services

Children

• Attachment
• Impact of trauma, abuse & neglect on development
• Mental health issues
• Sibling assessments
• Cognitive assessment
• Autism Assessments
• Placement planning
• Contact issues and needs
• Therapeutic needs and signposting to relevant services

Are you able to provide Immigration case assessments?

We accept referrals directly from solicitors and individuals who may wish to seek a private and independent assessment. We accept both legal aid and privately funded cases.

Assessments include:

• Risk Assessments for individuals charged or convicted of criminal offences
• Neuropsychology
• Neuro-developmental problems e.g. Assessments for Autistic Spectrum Conditions and ADHD
• Capacity assessments
• Learning Disability Assessments
• Mental Health assessments such as PTSD, depression etc
• Attachment
• Impact of trauma, abuse & neglect on development and emotional wellbeing
• Mental health issues
• Sibling assessments in the case of proposed separation
• Cognitive assessment
• Autism Assessments
• Placement planning
• Contact issues and needs, including the impact of separation
• Therapeutic needs and signposting to relevant services

Do you offer assessments and reports for legal practices?

We have excellent professional relationships with a number of leading legal practices nationwide and provide high quality assessments and reports.

• Prison law
• Children’s Act public and private law proceedings
• Criminal proceedings
• Immigration law
• Personal injury/ medical negligence claims?

We accept cases through Legal Aid Funding in addition to Privately Funded Cases and work to current guidelines in terms of timescales and costs.
For all legal enquiries, Dr Powling is available for consultation prior to instruction.

What does Emotional Wellbeing therapy mean?

When you or someone you care about is experiencing emotional difficulties, it can be difficult to understand what kind of help you need and distressing when you have to wait for long periods.

Our team provides a welcoming and relaxed environment offering the right therapy and assessment to support their emotional wellbeing a We aim to offer initial appointments within 1-2 weeks of the initial enquiry and have continued to support clients through lockdown offering psychological support remotely using video platforms or the telephone.

We are able to take referrals from individuals/ families directly, as well as those covered by medical insurance.

Within the emotional wellbeing team we offer specialist psychological therapy to adults, adolescents, younger children and families experiencing psychological/emotional/behavioural difficulties. We aim to help people and families understand the difficulties they are experiencing and how to begin making changes. As no two people or families are the same, we offer a range of therapeutic approaches and tailor therapy to meet the unique needs of the individual.

How can psychological therapy help?

Our team of experienced clinicians offer specialist assessment and treatment for adults, children and families who are experiencing a range of difficulties including;

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Managing difficulties associated with neurodevelopmental difficulties such as Autism
• Spectrum Conditions and ADHD
• Eating disorders
• Behavioural difficulties
• Trauma

We are also able to help with a range of other issues such as stress, phobias, low self-esteem, postnatal depression and bereavement and loss. If you would like to discuss a particular issue not listed, please contact us to see if we can help.

No two people, families or their experiences are the same and we don’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. We work with individuals and families using one or more approach(es) that fit their unique needs and goals.

Clinical Psychologists are skilled in identifying which treatments/therapies are likely to be helpful based on a psychological understanding of the difficulty/issue we are focussing on. This is based on scientific research. We are trained in a range of therapies and often draw upon Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), Systemic Therapies and Narrative Therapy among others.

What happens at a therapy session?

Therapy appointments usually last between 50-60 minutes. The appointment will be a form of talking therapy and can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly depending on the agreed treatment plan. The exact nature of the therapy will depend upon the outcome of the assessment appointment.

We will also review progress regularly and if you feel you need a different approach then we can review and reformulate a new plan together. In some cases, we may suggest referring you on to another professional either in addition, or in place of, our sessions.

Young adults are normally seen on their own, although we may provide some feedback to parents. The frequency of this feedback can vary between families and is something that we will discuss with you. We also offer sessions for parents for young people of all ages if this is agreed by the family.

Younger children often benefit from us working with parents rather than directly with the child. If this is felt to be the most appropriate pathway for you as a family, then your psychologist will discuss it with you. Please be assured for young people seen alone, that if there are any safety concerns these will be shared with the family, your GP and any other relevant adults.

You are able to stop therapy at any time and you are not required to give a reason. However, sometimes talking about the ending if you choose to stop therapy can be helpful for some clients to enable us to think together about how best to support you during that ending, or to provide information about other services that might be of benefit if appropriate.

Full details of confidentiality, data protection and terms and conditions are provided prior to the initial assessment.

What happens at my first therapy appointment?

The initial appointment is an assessment session is around 60 minutes and during this appointment, you will be asked to describe the difficulties you are experiencing.

We will discuss the issues affecting you/ your family or your child at the current time, together with any relevant background information/history. You will be asked about a number of different areas of your life but there is no obligation to talk about anything you are not comfortable with.

Once we have discussed the issues in more depth, we can develop a joint understanding and discuss then plan the next steps including a treatment plan.

For assessments for young people, adolescents may decide to attend this assessment alone, or with someone whilst we always advise that a parent/ guardian is present for assessments for younger children.

For adults, we will discuss in advance if you would like to bring someone with you to the assessment. Some adults choose to bring a partner, friend, or close relative.

Once we have discussed our recommended plan, you can decide if you would like another appointment. For some clients, an assessment can be a one-off appointment in order to help them understand their difficulties and/or gain a professional opinion. Others may choose to proceed to therapy but there is no obligation to have further sessions.

A written summary of your assessment (sometimes called an assessment report), including the treatment plan, will be provided and with your consent, we will also send a copy to your GP.

How much is a neurodevelopmental assessment?

No two people are the same and we don’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. We work with individuals and families using one or more approach(es) that fit their unique needs and goals.

We offer the following assessments :

• Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC- also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder),
• ADHD
• Learning difficulties/ disability and Developmental delay
• Behavioural difficulties

Contact us for more information and to discuss the costs for our service

What is Autism?

Autistic Spectrum Conditions is known as Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD.

It is a lifelong neuro-developmental conditions characterised by difficulties with social interaction, social communication and restricted patterns of interest, behaviour or activities. There may also be hypo or hyperactivity to sensory input or unusual interests in sensory aspects of the environment.

ASD is a developmental disorder that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people and how they experience the world around them. Some people who are diagnosed may have additional learning difficulties or neurodevelopmental difficulties.

Read more about the autistic spectrum in our blog

Outline the neurodevelopmental assessment for ASD

Our comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment is undertaken in accordance with the National Autism Plan for Children and follows guidelines set out by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (N.I.C.E) for children, young people and adults.

• A full developmental assessment focusing on developmental and behavioural features (consistent with DSM-5 criteria).
  For example:
      What you are good at or find difficult
      Concerns or worries you or your parents have
      Behaviour at home, at school and in other situations
      How you talk to and get on with other people.
      Physical or mental health problems you might have, including doing some health checks
      Full history of what has affected you as you grew and developed
• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2)
• School observation which includes assessment of social communication skills & behaviours
• Speech and language assessment to gain a thorough understanding of the individual’s needs.
• The team also gives consideration of differential diagnosis and the assessment will gain an understanding of the individual’s strengths and difficulties across contexts.

Read more about our ASD assessments 

What is a cognitive assessment for learning difficulties?

A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities – for example household tasks, socialising or managing money – which affects someone for their whole life.

People with a learning disability tend to take longer to learn and may need support to develop new skills, understand complicated information and interact with other people.

The level of support someone needs depends on the individual. Someone with a mild learning disability may only need support with things like getting a job whilst someone with a severe or profound learning disability may need full time care and support with every aspect of their life.

People with certain specific conditions may also have a learning disability which can be mild, moderate or severe. Some people with a mild learning disability can talk easily and look after themselves, but take a bit longer than usual to learn new skills. Others may not be able to communicate at all and have more than one disability.

We offer a stand-alone assessment, assessing the child, young person or adult’s overall cognitive ability, including verbal and visual processing, working memory and processing speed.

If we undertake a formal assessment for a learning disability, we also undertake an assessment of adaptive functioning, which looks at the individuals skills across a range of areas. This includes, Communication, Daily Living Skills, and Socialisation.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a behavioural disorder that includes symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattentiveness.

Often concerns relating to ADHD are noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child or young person’s circumstances change, such as when they start school.

We have also assessed individuals who feel that difficulties have been missed and hope for clarification either in adolescence or adulthood. Children can be assessed from the age of 6. We can also assess adults who feel that they may be experiencing ADHD but have not been formally assessed.

The Assessment is undertaken by a Multi-disciplinary Team in line with the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (N.I.C.E) guidelines.

This involves:

• Discussion about behaviour and symptoms in the different domains and settings of the person’s everyday life
• Full developmental and psychiatric history
• Observer reports and assessment of the person’s mental state (N.I.C.E, 2018 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87).
• School observation and questionnaires completed by school (for school age children)

We use QbCheck (the only CE marked and FDA approved for use as an aid in the assessment and treatment evaluation of ADHD for individuals aged 6 to 60 years old. QbCheck enables the provision of objective, unbiased information to clinicians, giving them a better assessment of ADHD).

If a diagnosis is made, the team will discuss appropriate recommendations to support the child, young person or adult. If this involves a consideration for medication we can arrange for you to see one of our Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists to discuss your options further.

Read more about ADHD

How can an assessment help me or my child?

An assessment is undertaken to build a comprehensive understanding of the problem and needs of the child, of any parenting difficulties, or of the family system as a whole.

It may involve meeting with parents, seeing the child individually, and liaising with any other professionals involved with the child.

Assessment in itself can be beneficial to the understanding of a problem and may be all that is required. Alternatively, it can enable us to work collaboratively with families to formulate an appropriate treatment package.

Why should I choose Evolve?

Our gold standard comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment is undertaken in accordance with the National Autism Plan for Children and follows guidelines set out by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (N.I.C.E) for children, young people and adults.

It includes a full developmental assessment focusing on developmental and behavioural features, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), an assessment of social communication skills & behaviours, and a speech and language assessment to gain a thorough understanding of the individual’s needs.

The team also gives consideration of differential diagnosis. The assessment will therefore gain an understanding of the individual’s strengths and difficulties across contexts.

Our waiting times are short and we work collaboratively with our Clients to formulate an appropriate treatment package.

How do I start the assessment or therapy process?

We work alongside GPs and other services where appropriate, but we don’t require a GP referral.

You can call, email or contact us

Once you have reached out, we will provide more details about the service you are interested in, costs and availability to get started. If you wish to go ahead with an appointment you simply return the referral form and consent forms.

We will then check that the available appointment is convenient book you in to see one of our clinicians.

Do you offer mental health or trauma assessments following personal injury?

We accept direct referrals from solicitors, intermediary agencies and individuals to provide an assessment of the impact of personal injury and medical negligence on the client.

Evolve will provide diagnoses (using ICD-10 and/or DSM-V) and advise on the psychological impact on the individual, prognosis

Do you offer training and development courses?

The team provide professional training and development for undergraduates and psychology professionals, schools, prison and legal services, private businesses and individual.
Our in person workshops, training events and online courses across a broad range of areas including;

• Working with people with mental health difficulties within occupational health
• Mental health awareness
• Autism Awareness
• Strategies for working positively with young people with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Working positively with individuals with Personality Disorder
• Integrating Dialectical Behaviour Therapy into Clinical Psychology Practice
• Forensic Neuropsychology
• Clinical/ Case formulation
• Coping skills and crisis management skills for acute inpatient settings
• Training available also includes assessment of risk across areas of clinical/ forensic psychology and personality assessment
• Kaizen and Horizon- the new treatment programmes in Prison for men who have committed sexual offences and High Risk Offenders
• Differential Diagnosis: Autism, Personality Disorder and Psychopathy

Please contact us with your specific requests for individualised training packages and to discuss forthcoming training events.