Assessments

Who are we?

What do we do at GPS?

GPS Ltd provides quality reports for criminal and family care proceedings. It is based on the belief that accurate and timely assessments are of the upmost importance. We are committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of our business is from repeat customers and referrals. We also have a children's contact centre, offering a safe and welcoming environment for separated families to have supervised and supported contact on weekday evenings and weekends. We are now welcoming referrals from individuals, family solicitors, social workers and Local Authorities.

Why choose GPS?

Dr Gregory has vast experience in providing expert reports for both family and criminal proceedings, along with a dedicated team of assistants and administrators. Dr Gregory is focused on providing high-quality service and customer satisfaction, working within legal aid rates when applicable. We have a private centre for the assessment to take place in, as well as a regularly monitored phone line and email box to address any queries or concerns directly.

Assessments

What to expect

If you have been referred for assessment, here is some information that you may find helpful ahead of your appointment.

Firstly, it is not a test! There is no planning or preparation you can do in order to ‘pass’ as there are no right or wrong answers, it is simply a case of doing your best to answer the questions put to you. It is merely a case of us collecting information about your circumstances and history in order to understand your situation. The main thing to remember is to be honest. Whilst we all want to put ourselves across positively to other people, your psychological assessment isn’t the place to do this. We understand this part of the assessment can be uncomfortable, having to discuss personal and sometimes traumatic events in your life, but please rest assured that we are used to hearing just about anything, so it is important that you do not try to hide or miss out relevant information as this could have a detrimental effect on the overall assessment.

How the day runs

A full psychological assessment lasts approximately 6 hours. This can be carried out either across one full day appointment or two half day ones. The assessment is broken up into part discussion, part questionnaires. We will ask you about everything that has happened in your life in order to ascertain a picture of how you have come to where you are today. We will also ask you about your child/ren. This will be your opportunity to provide us with any information about important issues relating to your life and the case. Following the discussion, we will ask you to complete some questionnaires; these vary and are dependent on the circumstances and the type of report we are conducting, however usually these consist of a cognitive questionnaire and various other research-based tools. If you have any communication or reading issues, please let us know and we will ensure that we are able to fully assist you with any part of the process that you may struggle with. Regular short breaks throughout and a lunch break will be given. Tea/Coffee/Water are provided and there is seating outside in our garden area for you to take a break. There are no shops within walking distance, so we recommend bringing your lunch and snacks with you, there is a kitchen solely for our clients use with a kettle, fridge, microwave etc. Alternatively, there are local shops within driving distance if you have travelled by vehicle. There is ample free parking at our premises. We kindly request that when visiting our centre for your assessment, you keep within the centre or garden area (shown below) as the various properties and businesses located on the estate are privately owned.

Confidentiality

An individual file will be kept containing referral letters, letters written to the referrer etc, and notes taken during appointments. This file is kept in a locked filing cabinet in our office. Only Dr Gregory and the essential team members have access to it. Once the assessment is finished, these are destroyed in line with GDPR. Notes are taken during appointments so that everything that may be relevant is documented, and so that they can be referred back to if necessary. Some of this information will need to be included in the report which Dr Gregory writes. It’s a requirement of the British Psychological Society that these kind of records are kept by psychologists.

Seeing a psychologist for an assessment/ report is different to seeing a psychologist for therapy. In assessing you for the Local Authority or as part of private proceedings, information is shared. Dr Gregory has to be able to put into her report anything that she is told that she feels is important or relevant. She cannot keep specific information that you confide in her confidential at your request, and if there are any concerns that you may pose a risk to yourself or to others, this may need to be discussed with relevant agencies such as the Police/Social Services. However, this is an extremely rare occurrence. CCTV is in operation throughout the premises, with exception to the kitchen and bathroom areas for security reasons only. This information is routinely deleted.

Meet the team

Dr Gabrielle Gregory
B.Sc. (Hons.), Foren.Psy.D.
Chartered Psychologist

Full CV Available Here

Dr Gabrielle Gregory has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and a Doctorate in Forensic Psychology (ForenPsyD) from the University of Birmingham. Dr Gregory has held a practice certificate and been Chartered with the British Psychological Society since 2008. She is an Associate member of the British Psychological Society’s Faculty for Children, Young People and their Families, as well as the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies Special Interest Group for Child and Adolescents. Dr Gregory has also presented at National conferences on a range of issues such as violence and substance misuse.

Dr Gregory was employed as a Psychologist at H.M. Prison Service for eight years, where she undertook a variety of roles including assessment and intervention work with violent offenders, sexual offenders and substance users. She was also employed at the Woodbourne Priory Clinic for seven years, where she was an Eating Disorder Specialist and an Assistant on the Adolescent Unit for Acute Mental Health, and was further employed by Coventry University as an MSc Supervisor and Lecturer on their applied Psychology MSc. programme.

Dr Gregory has worked in private practice since 2010 and since starting this work she has undertaken a wide range of psychological assessments of cognitive functioning, personality disorders, risk / protection issues, domestic violence, family dynamics and attachment issues including child and adolescents, as well as continuing her work with violent offenders, sexual offenders and substance users and has regularly written formal psychological reports to disseminate these findings.

Jade Hooper - Senior Administrator

I joined GPS in 2021 after working in a legal setting for several years. I have a business administration qualification, which has helped me to gain the skills and qualities that I now use every day. I manage the general day-to-day running of the business and the team, as well as the contact centre. It is important to me that we offer every individual that walks through our door, whether for assessment, therapy or contact equal opportunity to a professional and fair service. We pride ourselves on our work ethos, always striving to work with integrity.

Ella Rafferty - Assistant Psychologist

I am an assistant psychologist as GPS Ltd, having completed a masters degree in forensic psychology and counselling between 2021 and 2023. Some of the reasons why people come to therapy can be very challenging and sensitive, and the emotions and experiences that go along with this can be confusing and sometimes upsetting. Utilising Theraplay® Informed Practice my hope for any therapeutic work is to offer a place where children and their caregivers feel supported in enhancing their relationship whist trying to be open to seeing things is a different way. I believe that with compassion, mutual respect, and commitment, a client and therapist can work towards making sense of some of challenging and sensitive issues. Ultimately, my hope is to create playful and caring child-adult interactions that foster joyful shared experiences. These activities build attunement and understanding of each other – replicating early relationship experiences that are proven to lead to secure attachment.

Clare Bolingbroke - Trainee Assistant Psychologist

I joined GPS as a Master's placement student from the University of Bath's MSc in Forensic Psychology and Counselling. I completed my undergraduate BSc (Hons) Degree in Psychology at Derby University in 2013 before going on to complete a Research MSc in Clinical Psychology in South Africa in 2019. I am hoping to use my experience at GPS to progress in my career with the aim of becoming a Doctor of Forensic Psychology.

Amy Campbell - Assistant Psychologist

I am an Assistant Psychologist at GPS Ltd having completed a BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology in 2024. I am also a healthcare assistant withing the NHS and have worked as a Psychology Associate for voluntary organisations. I understand how distress can present in a wide context of situations, and I hope to contribute to the respect, compassion, and openness that is needed within a therapeutic environment. Furthermore, I believe that understanding each persons perspective can create insight into the reasons behind certain behaviours, and that this can establish a foundation for more collaborative work between Psychologist and client.

Millie Padget-Wharton - Assistant Psychologist

I am an Assistant Psychologist at GPS Ltd, having recently completed my BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology with a professional placement at Cardiff University in 2024. As part of my degree, I gained valuable experience working as an assistant psychologist within the dementia service in the NHS. This role taught me the importance of listening to and treating individuals with empathy, respect, and compassion. At GPS Ltd, I hope to bring these insights into my work and contribute to a collaborative environment where challenges can be addressed effectively together.