Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) Diagnostic Assessment and Report
For individuals affected by prolonged, repeated or complex trauma who are seeking diagnostic clarity and guidance for Complex PTSD
This service is for those who have experienced prolonged, repeated, relational or developmental trauma and are seeking a specialist private diagnostic assessment for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or C-PTSD. C-PTSD can develop after trauma that is chronic, inescapable, interpersonal or bound up with dependency, power, shame, attachment, coercion, betrayal or sustained threat.
The process is highly sensitive, confidential and designed to offer diagnostic clarity, validation and practical next steps. It may be particularly relevant for individuals who have experienced childhood abuse, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, coercive control, trafficking, institutional trauma, repeated assault, captivity, prolonged bullying, or other forms of complex trauma.
Available for medico-legal assessment and reports. Not available for court appearance/oral evidence.
What is C-PTSD?
Complex PTSD is recognised in the ICD-11 and includes the core features of PTSD, such as re-experiencing, avoidance and a continuing sense of threat. It also includes difficulties known as disturbances in self-organisation, which may involve emotional dysregulation, persistent shame or negative self-beliefs, and difficulties in relationships.
Many people seeking a C-PTSD assessment have lived for years with symptoms that have been misunderstood as anxiety, depression, emotional instability, relationship difficulty, low self-esteem or simply “not coping.” A careful diagnostic assessment can help clarify whether these difficulties may be better understood as the impact of complex trauma.
Gold-Standard C-PTSD Assessment: The International Trauma Interview
For C-PTSD diagnostic assessment, I offer the International Trauma Interview (ITI), a specialist clinician-administered interview designed to assess ICD-11 PTSD and Complex PTSD.
This is different from relying only on a self-report measure such as the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). The ITQ can be a useful screening or supplementary measure, but it is completed by the client alone. The ITI is a structured clinical interview administered by a trained clinician, allowing for a more careful diagnostic exploration of symptoms, trauma history, functional impact and clinical complexity.
The ITI is not commonly offered in routine private practice, partly because it requires specific familiarity with ICD-11 PTSD and C-PTSD criteria, trauma assessment and clinician-administered diagnostic interviewing. Where formal diagnostic clarification is needed, a clinician-administered interview is generally more robust than relying on a self-report questionnaire alone.
Depending on your particular background and presentation, your assessment may include:
- 2-hour clinical assessment session
Comprehensive exploration of your trauma history, symptom profile, emotional regulation, relational patterns, coping strategies, support systems, functional impairment, and any relevant previous diagnoses or treatments. - Specialist psychometric and structured tools may include, depending on clinical need:
- International Trauma Interview (ITI): A specialist clinician-administered diagnostic interview for ICD-11 PTSD and Complex PTSD. This is particularly important where a careful diagnostic opinion is needed rather than reliance on a self-report measure alone.
- International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ): A self-report measure for ICD-11 PTSD and C-PTSD, which may be used to complement the clinical interview and support a fuller understanding of symptom presentation.
- PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5): A self-report measure that may be used where DSM-5 PTSD symptoms are also clinically relevant, particularly when diagnostic overlap or comparison with PTSD presentations is important.
- Additional measures: When indicated, brief screens for dissociation, depression, anxiety, OCD, agoraphobia, functional impairment or other trauma-related difficulties may be included to capture the complexity of trauma’s impact.
- Comprehensive written report
A clear diagnostic summary, clinical formulation, psychometric findings where relevant, and tailored recommendations for psychological support, trauma-focused therapy, EMDR where appropriate, psychiatric consultation where indicated, or further steps.
What the Written Report Usually Addresses
- Relevant trauma and developmental history
- Current symptom presentation
- Assessment of ICD-11 PTSD and C-PTSD criteria
- Emotional regulation, self-concept and relational functioning
- Functional impact on work, study, relationships, parenting, sleep, concentration and daily life
- Psychometric findings where relevant
- Diagnostic formulation and clinical opinion
- Treatment recommendations and suggested next steps
Typical assessment length: 90–120 minutes clinical interview and assessment
Standard Service: From £1100 | Report delivered within approximately 7 business days
Location: In-person at 4 Devonshire Street, Harley Street Medical District, or online where clinically appropriate
Note: Half of the payment is due at the time of signing the agreement and the final half is due by the time of the assessment appointment for self-paying clients. Please seek pre-approval if using private insurance; only some providers will cover this cost.
Who Might Benefit from a C-PTSD Diagnostic Assessment?
A C-PTSD diagnostic assessment may be particularly relevant if you have experienced prolonged or repeated trauma and now struggle with difficulties such as:
- emotional overwhelm, shutdown or difficulty regulating feelings;
- persistent shame, guilt, self-blame or a sense of being damaged;
- difficulty trusting others or feeling safe in relationships;
- repeated painful relationship patterns;
- dissociation, numbness or feeling disconnected from yourself;
- intrusive memories, nightmares or trauma-related triggers;
- avoidance of reminders of trauma;
- hypervigilance, anxiety or a persistent sense of threat;
- difficulty sustaining work, study, parenting or daily responsibilities;
- a complex mental health history where trauma has not been fully assessed.
Many people who meet criteria for C-PTSD have previously been given other diagnoses or have been told only that they have anxiety, depression, emotional instability or relationship difficulties. A careful C-PTSD assessment can help clarify whether complex trauma offers a more accurate and compassionate formulation.
C-PTSD Assessment for Formal Documentation
Some clients seek a C-PTSD assessment for personal understanding and treatment planning. Others require a diagnostic report for formal documentation, legal, occupational, insurance, university, compensation or medico-legal contexts.
Where the assessment is intended for a formal process, it is especially important that diagnosis is not based only on a self-report questionnaire. A clinician-administered interview such as the ITI allows for a more careful and clinically grounded assessment of ICD-11 PTSD and C-PTSD criteria, the relationship between trauma and current symptoms, and the impact on functioning.
Reports can be prepared for medico-legal purposes where appropriate, but I do not provide court attendance or oral evidence.
Arranging a C-PTSD Diagnostic Assessment
If you wish to arrange an assessment, please get in touch for a confidential initial enquiry. I am happy to answer brief questions about which assessment is right for you, what to expect, or how I can best meet your needs, whether you are seeking diagnostic clarification, a second opinion, formal documentation, or a foundation for ongoing therapy and recovery.
To book an appointment with Dr Shields, who specialises in assessing and treating trauma, PTSD and Complex PTSD, or to request further information:
- assistant@comfortshieldspractice.com
- Or use the secure contact form on this website.
All enquiries are handled personally and in strict confidence.
If you are unsure whether a PTSD assessment, C-PTSD assessment, CICA report, AFCS report or broader trauma assessment best fits your situation, I am happy to advise in a brief email consultation. My aim is to ensure that every client feels respected, understood and carefully guided from the first contact.
