For many of us navigating the Church of England’s discernment process, the Assessment for Pastoral Wellbeing (APW)—often called the psychological assessment—is the part of the journey shrouded in the most mystery.

If you have Dyslexia or ADHD, this meeting can feel particularly high-stakes. Our lives have often been defined by assessments, "screenings," and clinical observations. When we hear the word "psychologist," many of us instinctively brace ourselves for a conversation about what is "wrong" with us.

However, after sitting through my own APW recently, I realised that this meeting doesn't have to be a medical interrogation. It can be a pastoral deep-dive that actually affirms your calling.

The Weight of the "Explanation Marathon"

It is important to acknowledge a specific type of exhaustion that neurodivergent people carry: Explanation Fatigue. Most of us waited years for an official diagnosis. We spent those years in a fog of "why is this so hard?" followed by a brief period of clinical testing.

But we don't spend years in those tests; we spend years explaining them. We explain our brains to teachers, to bosses, to family members, and eventually, to the Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO).

By the time you reach the APW, you might feel like you’ve reached the "Final Boss" of explanations. You are asked to lay out your life story yet again to a stranger with a notepad. The danger is that we slip into "Medical Mode"—treating the interview like a doctor’s appointment where we have to prove we are "stable enough" despite our diagnosis.

 

Shifting from "Patient" to "Candidate"

The psychologist is not there to re-diagnose you or to check if your ADHD has been "cured." They are looking for Pastoral Wellbeing. They want to see how you handle the stresses of life and ministry.

To avoid the "Medical Mode" trap, try these three strategies:

Own the Narrative

Your DDO notes will already mention your neurodiversity. You don't need to "defend" it. Instead, talk about your Process.

• Instead of saying: "I struggle with focus because of my ADHD,"
• Try: "My ADHD means I’ve had to develop very disciplined systems for my prayer life and study, which has actually made me more resilient in my daily routine."
• AND: Use "Bible Anchors" When a psychologist asks deep questions about your history or your character, it can feel clinical. I found that having "Bible Anchors"—specific verses or stories that have been with me through my adult life—was a game-changer.

When you reference a piece of Scripture that you genuinely love, it pulls the conversation out of the clinic and back into the Sanctuary. It reminds both you and the assessor that you are there because of a vocation, not a medical condition.

Focus on "Integrated Health"

The Church wants to see that you are "self-aware." For a neurodivergent person, self-awareness is our superpower. We know our triggers, we know when we need support, and we know how we learn. Sharing how you seek support and manage your "spiky profile" is actually evidence of the very stability they are looking for.

The "Hour" Wall, Managing Cognitive Load

A typical APW lasts around 90 minutes. For an ADHD or Dyslexic brain, that is a massive amount of sustained "masking" and processing.

About an hour into my assessment, I felt the "processing light" on my brain start to flicker. I was losing my thread, my tangents were getting longer, and the "Explanation Fatigue" was setting in.

I did something I recommend every ND candidate does: I asked for a break.

I told the psychologist I needed a few minutes to grab a brew and decompress. They were completely supportive. That five-minute reset allowed me to come back for the final half-hour with clarity.

Practical Tip: Don't wait until you are having a meltdown to ask for a break. If you feel your energy dipping at the 45 or 60-minute mark, ask for two minutes to stretch or get water. This demonstrates Resilience—one of the key qualities for ministry.

What They Are Actually Looking For

The psychologist is often looking at how you relate to others and how you view yourself. They might ask about:

• Your Family History: How did your neurodiversity affect your early life? (Be honest, but show the growth).
• Conflict: How do you handle it when things go wrong?
• Self-Care: How do you prevent burnout?

For us, "Self-Care" isn't just bubble baths; it’s using the tools—the apps, the audiobooks, the timers, and the support networks—that keep our brains functioning.

You Are the Expert on You

The APW can feel like a microscopic analysis, but remember: you are the expert on your own journey. You have spent years in discernment. Your voice matters and your perspective is needed.

The Church of England doesn't need priests who have never struggled; it needs priests who have navigated the "Explanation Marathon" and come out the other side with grace, humor, and a deep reliance on God.