Using a specially chosen velocity profile, the double integral method is used to derive an easily applied analytical result for the location of the laminar separation point. Predictions from this result are compared to the accepted separation point locations for many different adverse pressure gradients with very good agreement. An effective velocity profile across the boundary layer was developed and was found to compare well to an exact solution and to experimental data in separated and near separated flows. It also provides an explanation for the better performance of the double integral method compared to the standard integral method.