We understand that taking the first step towards seeking support can sometimes feel daunting. At The Somerville Clinic, we aim to make the process as straightforward, welcoming and accessible as possible.

Whether you are seeking clarity about your mental health, exploring a possible diagnosis or looking for a more holistic approach to your care, we are here to help you understand your options.

1. Getting in touch and booking your appointment

All assessments can be booked directly through the booking page on our website.

If you have questions before booking, or would find it helpful to speak to us first, we can offer a 10-minute introductory call to discuss your questions and explain how we may be able to help. To request a call, please email info@somervilleclinic.com.

If you are unsure which assessment is most appropriate, please get in touch and we will do our best to guide you.

2. Before your appointment: registration and forms

Once you have contacted us, we will register you with the clinic and ask you to complete a pre-registration form and a pre-assessment form.

These forms help us gather essential information, including your GP details, an emergency contact, your mental health concerns and history, and relevant physical health information. Please share as much detail as you feel able to provide. The more we understand about your experiences and circumstances, the better prepared we can be for your appointment.

If you have previous psychiatric letters, assessment reports or other relevant medical information, it can be very helpful to share these with us in advance, if you are able to do so.

If you are attending for an ADHD or autism (ASD) assessment, we will also send additional questionnaires for you and, where appropriate, family members or friends who know you well. These can provide valuable perspectives on your experiences over time.

Our ADHD and ASD assessments adhere to gold standard NICE and NHS guidance and are undertaken by highly qualified psychiatrists. They include a comprehensive clinical interview, collateral information and developmental history, structured clinical assessments, a thorough assessment of all physical and mental health concerns and our autism assessments are ADOS informed. We also have the benefit of having a highly experienced Multi Disciplinary Team where our cases are discussed amongst peers, particularly if there is a complex presentation. 

We will also email you an invoice ahead of your appointment and out terms and conditions to sign up to which details how we manage our clinic. 

3. Attending your appointment

We offer remote and in-person appointments.

Remote appointments

We will email you a link to join your appointment. Please allow a few minutes before your scheduled time to open the link and make sure everything is working on your computer or device.

We encourage you to join from a quiet, private space where you feel comfortable speaking openly. If you would like someone to join you for support, you are very welcome to do so.

Please make sure you have photo ID available to show at the appointment. 

In-person appointments

Appointments take place at 10 Harley Street, London.

The clinic is a large building, and you will be greeted by the receptionist on arrival. You can then wait in the waiting room until your appointment begins. You are very welcome to bring a friend, family member or another person who can support you.

Reasonable adjustments

We want you to feel as comfortable and supported as possible. If you need any reasonable adjustments to help you attend or participate in your appointment, please let us know in advance by emailing info@somervilleclinic.com. We will discuss your needs with you and consider how best to accommodate them.

4. During your assessment

Your appointment is an opportunity to explore your concerns, experiences and goals in a supportive and thoughtful setting.

Our assessments allow time for you to explain what has been happening, discuss your history and ask questions. Your clinician will work with you to understand your difficulties, provide feedback and explore appropriate treatment and support options.

We recognise that mental health concerns are often complex and may involve several overlapping factors. Our approach considers your mental and physical health, personal history and individual circumstances, rather than focusing on a diagnosis in isolation.

We allow time for our patients to feel heard and understood, without feeling rushed.

5. After your appointment: your report and treatment plan

Following your assessment, you will receive a written report, including your treatment plan, within one week of your appointment. Our clinic operates as a team and often we will consult with our colleagues (shown on the website) and discuss your care to ensure that we are offering you the right treatment options. 

We appreciate that assessments can involve a lot of information, and there may be plenty to reflect on afterwards. This is particularly true following an initial assessment, when you may be taking in new information, considering a diagnosis or weighing up different treatment options.

If possible, we often encourage you to have a feedback session with someone you trust who can join you. Having another person present can help you ask questions, take in the information and think through the next steps. This is entirely optional, and we understand that everyone's circumstances are different.

6. Ongoing support and follow-up

Following your assessment, we will discuss the most appropriate next steps with you. Where ongoing care at The Somerville Clinic would be helpful, we will suggest a convenient time for a follow-up appointment. Where appropriate, we may also signpost you to additional services or other professionals who can support your needs.

You are welcome to email your doctor or clinician with questions following your appointment. Our administrator, Rosie, is also available to help with administrative queries and support you with the practical aspects of your care.

Our aim is to ensure that you understand your assessment, know what your options are and feel supported as you decide how to move forward.

We are here to help

You do not need to have all the answers before contacting us, and you do not need to be certain about a diagnosis to seek support.

If you have questions about our services, would like to request a 10-minute introductory call or are ready to book an assessment, we would be very happy to hear from you.

Email: info@somervilleclinic.com

Booking: Visit the booking page on our website to arrange your assessment.

We look forward to helping you take the next step.