SERVICES OFFERED

Initial Contact

I will send you a link to my calendar to book in a pre-screening assessment, this booking will automatically generate us a Microsoft Teams link. 

Questionnaires

You will be sent a link to complete a series of questionnaires online. Your scores and the information you provide will be reviewed before your pre-screening assessment takes place.

Pre-screening Assessment

We will meet for up to one hour to discuss your current concerns and discuss your suitability to engage in a full ADHD assessment. If I do not feel that an ADHD assessment will be of benefit to you, I will provide you with a written report detailing my formulation and support recommendations. If I feel that there is enough evidence to warrant a full ADHD assessment, I will invite you to proceed to step two of the process (as detailed below). 

Evidence - Child Assessments

As part of the child ADHD assessment process I will contact your child's school and ask them to provide evidence of your child's ADHD related struggles within the academic setting. I will also ask you (the parent/caregiver) to complete a number of questionnaires to outline information that is specific to your child. Finally, depending on the child's age, I will ask them to provide evidence by completing an ADHD related questionnaire. 

Evidence - Adult Assessments

As part of the adult ADHD assessment process I will ask you to complete a number of questionnaires outlining your symptoms and the impact that they have on areas of your life (such as at work or home). I will also contact your chosen informant  (typically a family member, partner or close friend) and ask them to complete a number of questionnaires to highlight your strengths and difficulties. As part of the assessment process, it is recommended that an informant (family member, partner or friend) attends the clinical assessment with you. Where possible, this should be a childhood informant so that they are best suited to comment on your symptoms prior to age 12. 

Booking Your Clinical Assessment

Once I have all the evidence back (i.e  school and/or informant questionnaires) I will contact you to find a suitable date for your clinical assessment. Clinical assessments can take place online or face-to-face in my clinic room in Christchurch, Dorset. 

Explore Symptoms:

I will ask questions to understand the nature, duration, and severity of your symptoms. Questions such as:

• When did you first notice symptoms of ADHD?
• Do you have trouble, resting, staying organised, prioritising tasks, or following through with projects?

Developmental History Review and Psychiatric Review: 

I will explore your:

• Childhood symptoms (ADHD often starts in childhood, so this is a key area).
• Academic and work history (struggles with school or jobs are important indicators).
• Family history of ADHD or other psychiatric conditions (I will explore genetic vulnerabilities and links).

Assessment of Impact:

I will assess the impact of your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life in key areas, including:

• School or work : Do you have difficulties meeting deadlines, completing tasks, or maintaining attention during class or meetings?
• Relationships: Are your symptoms affecting your ability to manage relationships with family, friends, or colleagues?
• Daily Living: Are you struggling with organisation, managing household tasks, or maintaining routines?

Differential Diagnosis:

ADHD shares symptoms with other conditions such as:

• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Learning disabilities
• Substance use disorders
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Diagnostic Decision:

Following the assessment, all evidence and information will be reviewed and a diagnostic decision will be made. I will arrange a time to speak to you you to provide you feedback and outline my recommendations for treatment and support interventions, such as: 

• EHCP recommendation (for school aged children)
• Workplace adjustments (for adults)
• Therapy with an informed ADHD practitioner
• Recommendation for medication if applicable

A comprehensive  report will be with you within two weeks of your feedback session. The report will outline the information sought during the assessment process including a developmental history, psychiatric history, objective psychometric/questionnaire scores and the treatment/support recommendations. 

An assessment gives you the chance to determine if you meet the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It can provide clarity on something you've been wondering about for a long time, like finding the missing piece to a puzzle or finally understanding why certain aspects of your life have always seemed challenging.

Receiving a diagnosis may offer validation, boosting your confidence to share this part of your identity with others, and helping you build a more authentic and compassionate relationship with yourself.

Additionally, an ADHD diagnosis might qualify you for reasonable accommodations in educational or workplace settings, potentially enhancing your confidence and potential in these environments.

It is highly likely that they will, but typically, they would expect some form of psychological distress, such as anxiety, stress, or low mood, to accompany the neuro developmental condition.

I am registered with the following insurers: 

-Aviva

-Axa

-Vitality

-WPA

If you would like to use your private insurance policy to cover the cost of the assessment - please get in touch for further details. 

I do not prescribe medication; however, I collaborate with specialist ADHD prescribing services which includes a psychiatrist and also a nurse prescriber who are happy to accept my reports. Before proceeding with a private assessment, I recommend that you:

- Consult your GP to find out if your NHS ADHD service would prescribe medication following a private assessment.

- Check if your GP practice would be willing to take over the prescribing (shared care) once you are stable on ADHD medication from a private prescriber.

- I also suggest you review the costs of private prescribing to ensure it is affordable for you.

There are two key factors that contribute to a valid assessment and ensure that your report will be accepted:

1. Your assessment adheres to the NICE guidelines for assessing ADHD.

2. It is crucial that the clinician conducting your assessment is qualified to perform diagnostic evaluations.

While my reports comply with the guidelines and professional standards, I strongly recommend that you verify with the relevant organisation beforehand whether they will accept a private report.

More than 48 hours notice: You can cancel an initial screening appointment and receive a full refund if you do so more than 48 hours in advance. All appointments can also be rescheduled at no additional cost, provided I receive at least 48 hours' notice. If you are unable to attend an appointment, please notify me as soon as possible via email at info@psychassessments.co.uk

Less than 48 hours notice: If you cancel or miss an appointment with less than 48 hours' notice, a charge will apply. The fees are as follows:

- Initial screening: £150

- Diagnostic assessments: £250