Specialist ADHD assessment and diagnosis for adults and young people aged 16+
I take pride in following the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for ADHD assessment, with multidisciplinary input, in line with the NHS. My ADHD assessments use a range of ‘gold standard’, internationally recognised diagnostic tools to provide a detailed, comprehensive and individualised assessment of your strengths and difficulties. I take a neuro-affirming approach, recognising that every individual has their own unique strengths, ways of thinking, and ways of experiencing the world.
What makes my ADHD assessments different?
Many ADHD assessments focus primarily on establishing whether an individual meets the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
My approach is designed to provide a broader and more comprehensive understanding of your difficulties.
As a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, I specialise in working with individuals whose presentations are often more complex. ADHD may be part of the picture, but many clients also experience difficulties related to trauma, anxiety, depression, burnout, emotional regulation, chronic health conditions, women’s health concerns or longstanding relationship difficulties. I have knowledge and expertise in how ADHD presents differently in women.
Assessments are conducted using evidence-based diagnostic measures including the DIVA-5, CAARS-2 and QBCheck, alongside additional screening measures where appropriate. This allows me to consider alternative explanations for symptoms and identify factors that may be interacting with ADHD.
My ADHD assessments exceed current NICE recommendations and are designed to provide not only a diagnostic outcome, but also a meaningful understanding of why difficulties have developed and what support is likely to be most helpful moving forward.
Clients often tell me that the assessment helps them make sense of experiences that have affected them throughout their lives, even before any diagnosis is reached, and this insight helps them to make decisions to support their wellbeing and functioning in the future.
My aim is not simply to determine whether you have ADHD, but to help you understand how your mind works, the strengths you bring, the challenges you face, and the support that is most likely to help you thrive.
Please note:
- I offer privately-funded assessments. If you are seeking an assessment funded by the NHS, please speak to your GP about local services.
- I currently only offer assessments for people aged over 16.
ADHD Diagnostic Assessment Guide:
1. Referral
Simply contact us to refer yourself and book a screening appointment.
2. Initial ADHD Consultation – 60 minutes, £150
I offer an initial ADHD consultation because it helps ensure that you receive the most appropriate assessment and support for your individual circumstances. Many people seeking an ADHD assessment have complex experiences that may include anxiety, trauma, burnout, chronic health difficulties, autism-related traits, relationship difficulties or other mental health concerns. Whilst ADHD may be part of the picture, it is important to understand the wider context before proceeding with a comprehensive assessment.
For many people, this consultation provides reassurance and clarity about the next steps. It also helps ensure that the subsequent assessment is tailored to your individual circumstances. If you proceed to a full ADHD assessment within three months, the consultation fee is deducted from the assessment cost.
3. Comprehensive ADHD assessment – 3 hours, £1350 (£1200 if booked within three months of the Initial Consultation)
Includes:
✓ Detailed developmental interview
✓ DIVA-5 assessment
✓ CAARS-2 assessment
✓ QBCheck assessment
✓ Screening for trauma, autism and mental health difficulties where appropriate
✓ Informant questionnaires
✓ Verbal feedback session
✓ Comprehensive strengths-based report
✓ Personalised recommendations
✓ Advice regarding medication pathways and ongoing support
This is not simply an ADHD diagnostic assessment. It is a comprehensive psychological assessment designed to help you understand how your mind works, the strengths you bring, the challenges you face, and the support that is most likely to help you thrive.
4.Feedback session (45 minutes)
We will meet again after approximately 2 weeks to discuss the outcome of the assessment and your personal profile of symptoms, difficulties and strengths.
5.Report
You will receive a detailed report, summarising the outcome of all assessment measures, an overview of your strengths and difficulties, and recommendations for useful resources, strategies and, if indicated, further treatment or input that might be beneficial. If you require a condensed report for work or education purposes, this can be provided. Many people seeking an ADHD assessment have complex experiences that may include anxiety, trauma, burnout, chronic health difficulties, autism-related traits, relationship difficulties or other mental health concerns. Whilst ADHD may be part of the picture, it is important to understand the wider context before proceeding with a comprehensive assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adult ADHD Assessments
Many adults who seek an ADHD assessment describe lifelong difficulties with attention, organisation, time management, procrastination, emotional regulation or maintaining focus. Others report feeling overwhelmed by everyday demands, struggling with work performance, experiencing repeated burnout, or finding that anxiety, depression or relationship difficulties persist despite previous support.
For some people, ADHD has been present throughout life but was never recognised. This is particularly common amongst women, high-achieving professionals and individuals who have developed effective coping strategies that mask their difficulties.
An assessment can help clarify whether ADHD is contributing to these challenges and identify any other factors that may also be affecting your wellbeing.
Many ADHD assessments focus primarily on establishing whether an individual meets the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. My approach is designed to provide a broader and more comprehensive understanding of your difficulties.
As a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, I specialise in working with individuals whose presentations are often more complex. ADHD may be part of the picture, but many clients also experience difficulties related to trauma, anxiety, depression, burnout, emotional regulation, chronic health conditions, women's health concerns or longstanding relationship difficulties.
Assessments are conducted using evidence-based diagnostic measures including the DIVA-5, CAARS-2 and QBCheck, alongside additional screening measures where appropriate. My ADHD assessments exceed current NICE recommendations and are designed to provide not only a diagnostic outcome, but also a meaningful understanding of why difficulties have developed and what support is likely to be most helpful moving forward.
My aim is not simply to determine whether you have ADHD, but to help you understand how your mind works, the strengths you bring, the challenges you face, and the support that is most likely to help you thrive.
Following the assessment, you will receive detailed verbal feedback and a comprehensive written report outlining the assessment findings, diagnostic conclusions and recommendations. Recommendations may include:
- Psychological strategies for managing ADHD
- Workplace adjustments
- Educational accommodations
- Support for emotional wellbeing
- Further assessment where appropriate
- Discussion of medication options
Many people find that receiving a diagnosis provides a new understanding of experiences that may have affected them throughout their lives. The process is designed to help you better understand your strengths, challenges and support needs so that you can make informed decisions about your future wellbeing.
Yes. Whilst I do not prescribe medication myself, I have an established working relationship with an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist who can provide an independent medication assessment where appropriate.
Following diagnosis, we can discuss whether a referral for a psychiatric medication assessment would be appropriate for your circumstances. If medication is recommended, any costs associated with psychiatric consultations, medication titration and ongoing prescribing are separate from the ADHD assessment fee.
For many people, medication forms one part of a broader support plan that may also include psychological strategies, workplace adjustments, lifestyle changes and greater understanding of how ADHD affects their daily life.
Following the assessment, you will receive a comprehensive written report summarising the assessment findings, diagnostic conclusions and recommendations. The report typically includes:
- A summary of your reasons for seeking assessment
- Relevant developmental, educational and occupational history
- Results from standardised assessment measures, including the DIVA-5, CAARS-2 and QBCheck
- Consideration of other factors that may influence attention, concentration and emotional wellbeing
- Discussion of any co-occurring difficulties such as trauma, anxiety, depression or emotional regulation difficulties
- Exploration of your strengths, protective factors and coping strategies
- A clear explanation of the diagnostic conclusions reached
- Personalised recommendations tailored to your individual circumstances
The report is written in a clear and accessible manner and can be shared with healthcare professionals, employers or educational institutions where appropriate.
The consultation provides an opportunity to discuss what has led you to seek an assessment, your current difficulties and relevant background history, and whether ADHD assessment appears appropriate. It also helps identify whether an alternative or additional assessment may be more helpful, for example a combined ADHD and autism assessment.
My aim is not simply to diagnose ADHD, but to help ensure that you receive the assessment and recommendations that are most appropriate for your needs.
The assessment includes a detailed clinical interview exploring your current difficulties, childhood experiences, educational history, occupational functioning, relationships, physical health and mental health. Standardised assessment measures are also completed, including the DIVA-5, CAARS-2 and QBCheck, alongside additional measures where appropriate.
The aim is to understand the whole person, not simply to identify symptoms.
Yes. My ADHD assessments meet and exceed current NICE guidance for the assessment of ADHD in adults. The assessment combines a detailed developmental and clinical history with validated diagnostic measures, collateral information where appropriate, and careful consideration of alternative explanations for symptoms.
Each assessment includes a detailed clinical interview alongside evidence-based assessment measures, commonly including the DIVA-5, CAARS-2 and QBCheck. Where appropriate, additional measures may be used to explore autism spectrum characteristics, trauma, anxiety and depression, emotional regulation difficulties, stress and burnout, and other neurodevelopmental factors.
Assessments are tailored to the individual rather than relying upon a single questionnaire or screening tool.
I am a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with specialist training in the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD in adults and I have worked clinically with people with ADHD for 25 years. I have completed specialist ADHD assessment training through Oasis Psychological Services and have extensive experience working with individuals presenting with complex psychological, emotional and relational difficulties.
My reports are prepared to a high professional standard and include detailed clinical information, diagnostic reasoning and recommendations. However, decisions regarding recognition of private assessments, prescribing arrangements and shared-care agreements remain the responsibility of individual GP practices and local NHS services. I am happy to discuss this in more detail during the assessment process.