This paper reports a study based on a group of 12 out‐patients whose mood and personal construing were monitored before and after assessment of suitability for dynamic psychotherapy. Changes in the construct system were found, but not in the predicted direction. These changes included reduced differentiation, tightening of constructs and a subsequent loss of the ability to cope with contradiction and ambivalence. The self‐concept remained unchanged, but the patients' mood improved. Due to the lack of correspondence between the predicted changes and the actual changes, this paper goes on the examine the various possible factors influencing the relationship between personal construing, depression and the assessment interv