I have a passion for working with people with ADHD. From my personal and professional experience, some of the most creative, interesting and talented people I have had the pleasure to meet and work with are those with ADHD. Having a brain that is always active can help to think about the world in a different light and find novel solutions that may not be as accessible to a ‘normally wired’ brain.
With any untreated ‘disorder’ there are also challenges, such as poor time management and planning, inattention, emotional dysregulation, restlessness, and risks that arise due to impulsivity or misguided attempts to cope. Associated difficulties with anxiety, depression, unstable relationships, sense of self and substance misuse are often present and misdiagnosed. Many of the people with ADHD I have worked with have reported feeling misunderstood, rejected, different to others, burnt out and that they never quite live up to their innate potential.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD is often in itself therapeutic as it validates the lifelong struggles of the person. It can also open doors to reasonable adjustments and accommodations in education and the workplace to capitalise on strengths and protect against the difficulties. Medication is a possible treatment which many people with ADHD report as being hugely beneficial and even ‘life changing’.
Psychological treatment includes becoming familiar with your ADHD – just as no two people are ever the same, each person’s ADHD impacts them in unique ways. Therapy also explores coping skills and executive functioning strategies, as well as treating difficulties such as anxiety or depression, relational difficulties or self-concept. Through acknowledging and understanding the differences in how an ADHD brain works, and working with it rather than against it, we unlock a world of potential.
Before the assessment consultation takes place, you will be asked to complete some screening assessments and basic information, such as your personal details and history, medical and educational history and what you might be finding difficult at the moment. You will also be asked to complete brief screening assessments and a written developmental history questionnaire with a parent, care giver or someone who knew you well before the age of 12 years.
The assessment consultation can be done in-person or virtually/online video. It will last for approximately 2 – 3 hours. During this time a clinical interview (conversation about your life) and structured ADHD interview will be completed.
A separate feedback consultation will take place (30 minutes). During this time the diagnostic outcome and recommendations will be discussed with you. We will have time for you to reflect on the outcome and to discuss treatment options going forward.
You will receive a full diagnostic report and diagnosis confirmation letter (if applicable).
There are no hidden costs. The cost of ADHD assessment is £995.00
An in-depth diagnostic report and diagnosis confirmation letter (if applicable) will be sent to you.
Medication Consultation:
If you would like to consider a medication consultation to assess your suitability for ADHD treatment medication, then the appropriate professionals will be signposted to you.
Post- diagnostic Psychological Therapy:
For many people obtaining an ADHD diagnosis is therapeutic as it validates their lifelong experience of feeling different and being aware that their brains are ‘wired differently’ to others.
The purpose of post-diagnostic sessions is to better understand your ADHD and how it impacts on your life, as well as how to cope with it going forward. Post-diagnostic support would usually consist of a mixture of psychoeducation and therapy drawn from various approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In my experience, many adults with ADHD already have in place numerous practical coping strategies, but may need support with recognising the impact that this had over time on their concept of self.
Many adults with ADHD experience co-existent difficulties such as anxiety and self-doubt, which would also be worked with therapeutically in-session.
I offer an initial 20 minute online consultation at no cost.
This is an informal chat to better understand what you might need support with to ensure that I have the appropriate expertise to help you.
If I feel that you require an area of expertise that I do not work in, then I will signpost you to other professionals.
The initial 20-minute session is also an opportunity for us to see if we would both feel comfortable working together going forward.
Thereafter, paid sessions are usually 50 minutes long and spaced weekly initially.
Assessment appointments are usually available within 2 weeks of first contact. The assessment consultation can only take place once the screening assessments and initial information have been returned.
You will receive your full diagnostic report at your feedback consultation, which usually takes place within 1 week after your assessment consultation. The report will also be shared with your GP.
ADHD diagnostic assessment: £950.00 This includes the pre-assessment screening, 2-3 hour consultation, in-depth diagnostic report and diagnosis confirmation letter, and 30 minute feedback consultation. If you are going through your medical insurance, you will need to obtain an authorisation number from them and be aware of any policy excesses payable in advance.
BUPA provides cover where assessment is indicated.
All Equilibrium Psychology reports are completed in compliance with relevant NICE guidelines and the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN) Adult ADHD Assessment Quality Assurance Standard (AQAS). Provided an assessment is completed to the same standard (or better) than one obtained through the NHS, there is no basis for it to be rejected by NHS/Local Authority/SEN. The SEN and Disability Code of Practice (2015) states that there is no basis in law for any Local Authority to reject a professional assessment or diagnostic report simply because it was part of a private assessment.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidance across the health and social care sector. NICE guidelines make evidence-based recommendations to assist professionals to prevent ill health, promote good health and improve the quality of care and services.
The UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN) is a professional body that provides support, education, research and training for mental health professionals working with adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They have produced the Adult ADHD Assessment Quality Assurance Standard (AQAS) to represent best practice in ADHD assessment. The assessments offered through Equilibrium Psychology conform to the high standards of AQAS and the Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
(Albert Einstein)