What Makes a Good Assessment Report in Psychology? A Psychologist’s Guide to Reports That Don’t Suck
- Amanda Moses Psychology
- May 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 23
Writing Effective Assessment Reports: A Guide for Psychologists
Let’s be honest: most psychologists didn’t get into the field because they love writing assessment reports. Yet, report writing is a significant part of our professional responsibilities. Whether it’s a diagnostic report, a letter to a GP, or a comprehensive psychological assessment for NDIS, your written communication reflects your clinical judgment and professionalism.
However, many assessment reports often fall short. They can be too vague, overloaded with jargon, or miss the mark entirely—and sometimes, they suffer from all three issues.
So, how do we write reports that are clinically meaningful and easy to understand? Let’s explore what makes a good assessment report and discuss how to avoid common pitfalls.
Understanding the Purpose of an Assessment Report
Before you start writing, ask yourself: Who is this for, and what do they need to know?
A well-crafted assessment report should:
Communicate clinical findings clearly.
Provide meaningful recommendations.
Support continuity of care.
Respect the client’s voice and dignity.
Be accessible to the intended reader, whether it's a GP, teacher, or allied health professional, and to the client themselves.
If your report overlooks what’s critical or reads like a doctoral thesis, it may be ineffective.
1. Establish a Clear Structure
💡 Tip: Structure supports clarity.
Using consistent headings can help break up the report's content. Common headings may include:
Reason for Referral
Assessment Tools Used
Background History
Observations During Session
Results and Interpretation
Diagnostic Impressions (if applicable)
Recommendations
Employing a predictable format allows for better flow and ensures you include essential sections. Moreover, it helps you remain focused during the writing process. Tailor your format for each specific diagnostic assessment you conduct.
2. Customize Language to Suit Your Audience
Avoid succumbing to “psych-speak” in your reports. Unless addressing another psychologist, extensive jargon isn’t necessary.
Instead, aim to:
✔ Use plain language as much as possible.
✔ Steer clear of excessive acronyms or overly clinical terms.
✔ Be considerate; remember that your client (or their family) will likely read the report.
Clear communication is an essential clinical skill. You're not oversimplifying; you're crafting language that is useful to your reader.
3. Stay Relevant—Not Just Comprehensive
More information doesn’t inherently mean a better report. A common pitfall is including every detail from the clinical interview, even if it does not pertain to the referral question.
💡 Ask yourself: *Does this add value?
For instance, if writing a report for an ADHD assessment, do we truly need information on early toilet training? Or, in a school report, does the trauma history of the parents need inclusion? Consider if this is relevant.
Be thorough, yet stay focused. Ensure that your content is clinically pertinent to the referral question.
4. Interpret Results—Don't Just Summarize Them
Merely listing scores from standardized tests isn't adequate. You must interpret the results in straightforward language and relate them to the client’s real-life functioning.
For example:
"The client’s performance on the Working Memory Index (WMI) was in the low average range. This, combined with reported difficulties following multi-step instructions at school, indicates challenges in retaining and manipulating verbal information while learning."
By linking data to clinical presentations, you provide meaningful insights for the reader.
5. Offer Realistic, Individualized Recommendations
Generic recommendations, such as “may benefit from therapy,” lack specificity and usefulness. Instead, your report should be actionable.
✔ Specify the type of therapy.
✔ Suggest particular accommodations.
✔ Identify who will implement these strategies and how.
Customize recommendations to suit the client’s circumstances. For example, if it’s a teenager with ADHD struggling in class, mention specific executive functioning strategies. If it’s an adult seeking an autism diagnosis, suggest workplace accommodations and psychoeducation resources.
Bonus Tip: Reports Should Not Be Traumatic to Read
Many assessment reports are composed with such cold, deficit-focused language that they can distress clients. Language matters.
✔ Use neutral language whenever possible.
✔ Frame observations with context.
✔ Avoid pathologizing terms like “manipulative” or “attention-seeking.”
Clients deserve to see their dignity reflected in your reports, communicated with compassion.
Need Help with Writing Quality Assessment Reports?
If you're working with neurodivergent clients and wish to elevate the quality of your Autism and ADHD diagnostic assessments and reports, my Autism and ADHD Diagnostic Assessment Training delves beyond basic training. In this course, I guide you through crafting reports that are affirming, diagnostically sound, and tailored to your clients' diverse needs—particularly those with internalized or less typical presentations.
This course includes my exclusive custom Autism and ADHD diagnostic report template. You won’t find this template elsewhere; it’s integral to the comprehensive support I provide through the training.
➡ Learn more about this training here:
Final Thoughts: Crafting Reports That Serve Their Purpose
Effective assessment reports should be clear, purposeful, and practical. By prioritizing the reader’s needs and allowing the referral question to guide your writing, you’ll create reports that genuinely enhance care. Let’s elevate the standard without increasing your stress levels.
