This short program is designed to provide evidence-based information about what ADHD is and how it might be affecting your life. Over two sessions, we will discuss the myths and misunderstandings about ADHD to give you a fuller understanding of how ADHD affects people, to identify if it describes your experiences. This will be combined with a few, short formal assessments (evidence-based questionnaires only, no useless brain scans) to establish (a) if you have ADHD and (b) which ADHD symptoms are relevant to you. Finally, you’ll receive a full, written report stating whether you do or do not have ADHD with an explanation of your assessment and advice relevant to your personal functioning. Importantly, I will provide assessments and advice based on modern ADHD research that accounts for symptoms that are often unfortunately ignored by health professionals.

I have designed this program to be able to provide a diagnosis (if appropriate) without subjecting you to a series of tests that are expensive, often irrelevant and lack scientific support. Current professional guidelines state that the primary tool for diagnosis is clinical judgement informed by formal testing. To be able to make a judgement on your symptoms, we need to discuss ADHD and how it might affect your life. If we are already spending time doing this, we might as well make it educational as well because, as you have likely discovered, there is abundant misinformation about ADHD out there. Despite what you may read or hear, there is no single test that is sufficient for an ADHD diagnosis.

Over the past year, I have worked with countless clients who have realised they have ADHD because of information found on social media. While it is certainly not all the highest quality information, the same can be said for just about anywhere you look for ADHD information. Overwhelmingly, individuals who have come to me after seeing something on social media have indeed had ADHD and not simply diagnosed themselves as part of a “fad”.

To be able to make an informed assessment, we will need the majority of those two sessions to be discussing your symptoms and experiences. Of course, in understanding your ADHD better you will be more able to manage your symptoms. However, it is important to note that it is not the primary aim of what we are doing. I do also work with many adults with ADHD in managing their symptoms and would be excited to work with you to do so in the future.

As a psychologist, I am not trained in providing medication and therefore can not offer a prescription as part of this service. To be eligible for medication, you must have your GP refer you to a psychiatrist for diagnosis. With that said, part of the reason that I offer a formal, written report is that it provides you with a formal document to provide your psychiatrist (if you do go down this path) to speed up what is often a very expensive and prolonged process.

Formal assessment -Evidence based questionnaires

Clinical interview - Discussion of ADHD symptoms and their impact on your life

Comprehensive written report including diagnosis, analysis of symptoms, and recommendations for future treatment