Psychologists often produce detailed assessment or treatment reports intended for other professionals, but these documents can be impenetrable to the very clients they concern. In practice, many psychological reports are laden with technical jargon, lengthy test descriptions, and complex sentences that exceed the reading level of most clients. Decades of research have strongly advocated for more accessible report writing – for example, presenting information at a lower reading level, organizing content by functional domains rather than test-by-test, and framing results in a client-centred manner. Yet despite these recommendations, service users (clients, parents, teachers) frequently find reports overly technical, hard to understand, and of limited practical use. This gap between best practice and common practice can undermine clients’ understanding of their conditions and reduce the therapeutic value of assessments.
This presentation will address the need to make psychological report writing more client-centred and collaborative. We will review current evidence on report clarity and usefulness, including surveys showing that stakeholders prefer shorter reports with clear summaries, bullet points, and visual aids. For instance, a recent randomized study demonstrated that applying five straightforward writing rules (such as using everyday language, structuring by functional areas, avoiding jargon, and shortening sentences) significantly improved readers’ comprehension and recall of report information. We will discuss how similar evidence-based techniques can be applied to everyday psychological report writing. Participants will learn a step-by-step method for crafting reports that speak to clients: writing in plain, compassionate language; conveying findings in a logical, easy-to-follow format; and providing concrete, actionable recommendations. We will also explore how involving clients in the feedback process and tailoring reports to their contexts can enhance engagement and trust.
By the end of the presentation, attendees will be equipped with practical strategies to transform dense clinical reports into clear, person-centred documents. The presentation will use before-and-after report excerpts to illustrate how small changes—like substituting clinical jargon with plain-language explanations, or using headings and bullet points to highlight key points—can dramatically increase a report’s readability and usefulness. Attendees will leave with an evidence-informed framework for writing reports that not only meet professional standards but also empower clients with understanding, ultimately supporting better clinical outcomes.

• Apply an evidence-based method for writing client-centred reports – using a structured framework to organize information by functional domain, simplify language, and emphasize key findings in an accessible way.
• Write key report sections in plain, actionable language – crafting summaries and recommendations that highlight essential information, use bullet points or visuals for emphasis, and provide concrete next steps for clients and caregivers.
• Integrate client perspectives into report writing – implementing strategies to incorporate client feedback or collaborate on report content, thereby ensuring the report addresses the client’s own goals and questions in a respectful, person-centred manner.