The Assessment Process

Our assessments integrate clinical interviewing, standardized psychological measures, and in-depth interpretive analysis. We draw from contemporary psychodynamic, personality, and attachment frameworks to create a multidimensional understanding of the individual.

Through this process, we can:

• Identify or rule out personality disorders, including narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), borderline, obsessive-compulsive, avoidant, and others

• Assess clinically significant personality traits and subclinical features that may not meet diagnostic thresholds but still affect functioning

• Understand coping styles, defensive structures, and personality organization—how a person maintains psychological stability under stress

• Evaluate other DSM-5 disorders, such as depression, anxiety, trauma-related conditions, or mood dysregulation

• Clarify how early relational experiences contribute to current struggles in self-esteem, attachment, and emotional life

The result is a clear, integrative formulation that situates symptoms and behaviors within the broader context of the individual’s development, not as isolated problems but as meaningful adaptations to past and present challenges.

How Our Approach Is Different

Most psychological evaluations consist of a single interview and a set of self-report measures. While this can provide useful data, it often overlooks the complexity and individuality of the person being assessed. At Heal NPD, we take a more rigorous and human approach.

Our process typically unfolds over several weeks - about eight from start to finish - to allow time for multiple interviews, thoughtful reflection, and careful integration of results. This extended structure enables us to form strong, clinically grounded impressions and to understand the person as more than a collection of scores or symptoms.

We do not rely on self-report measures alone. Our primary personality inventory is an empirically validated instrument that integrates clinical evaluation, self-report data, and robust personality models. Every assessment is tailored to the individual, balancing data-driven accuracy with clinical insight.

We don’t simply assign a diagnosis—we explore the person’s psychology. A diagnostic label can be valuable, but the greater importance lies in the why and the how: why certain patterns formed, how they continue to shape experience, and what they reveal about underlying needs and capacities.

Although our assessments are more comprehensive and labor-intensive than most, they are comparably priced and designed to deliver exceptional value—to our patients, who gain lasting understanding of themselves, and to our clinicians, who base recommendations on a complete and cohesive picture.

We view this work as a synthesis between diagnosis and biography, between clinical assessment and character study—a process that seeks to understand the whole person rather than reduce them to a category.

What You Can Expect

A comprehensive diagnostic assessment typically includes:

1. Structured Clinical Interview: An in-depth clinical interview that unfolds over a period of weeks and may iclude collateral interviews with loved ones.

2. Testing: Administration of empirically validated psychological measures assessing personality, mood, and emotional functioning.

3. Interpretation and Integration: A detailed analysis connecting testing data with developmental and relational themes.

4. Feedback Session: A collaborative discussion of findings, emphasizing meaning and direction rather than judgment.

5. Written Report: A clear, clinically precise summary that includes diagnostic impressions (if relevant), treatment recommendations, and guidance for continued growth.
   

Assessments are conducted entirely online and tailored to each individual’s needs and level of psychological functioning.

Who It’s For

Our diagnostic assessments are appropriate for:

• Individuals seeking clarity about identity, personality, or emotional functioning

• Those exploring whether narcissistic or other personality patterns may be present

• People wanting to better understand the “why” behind persistent difficulties in relationships, self-esteem, or emotional regulation

• Clinicians, therapists, or treatment teams seeking a specialized second opinion on complex cases
  

Some individuals pursue assessment only for self-understanding and guidance, while others begin with assessment as the foundation for therapy, either within Heal NPD or with another trusted provider.

Getting Started

To begin the assessment process or learn more about whether it’s right for you, you can schedule an initial consultation. The consultation provides an opportunity to discuss your goals, learn about the process, and receive individualized recommendations for next steps.