The authors explore the contribution of the psychodynamic approach to the assessment of suspected psychotic disorder under the provisions of The Mental Health Act (1983). They advocate that attention to descriptive psychopathology needs to be complemented by attention to psychodynamic psychopathology. Psychodynamic psychopathology has a contribution to make both to the direct assessment of the patient and to the management of the countertransference. Successful management of the countertransference will facilitate the empathic assessment of the patient and the secure containment of psychopathology. The limitations of the psychodynamic approach to the psychoses are acknowledged.