Private ADHD Assessments
Many adults begin to search online for how to get an ADHD diagnosis after years of feeling overwhelmed, misunderstood, or frustrated by patterns that seem harder to manage than they should be. You may be wondering whether ADHD could help explain long-standing difficulties with attention, organisation, emotional regulation, or mental fatigue.
A comprehensive private ADHD assessment is not about labels for their own sake. When carried out carefully, it can provide clarity, reduce self-blame, and support informed decisions about next steps.
Understanding adult ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect attention, executive functioning, impulse control, and emotional regulation.
In adults, ADHD often presents in more subtle ways and may be overlooked for many years — particularly in individuals who are high-functioning or skilled at compensating.
ADHD typically involves long-standing patterns beginning in childhood and affecting multiple areas of life, such as work, relationships, and daily organisation. However, similar difficulties can also arise from stress, anxiety, trauma, or burnout. For this reason, ADHD cannot be identified through questionnaires alone and requires careful clinical assessment.
How to get an ADHD diagnosis (Adults)
Adults seeking an ADHD diagnosis often begin with a professional assessment by a suitably qualified clinician. In the UK, ADHD may be assessed by a clinical or counselling psychologist, psychiatrist, or specialist ADHD service.
A robust ADHD diagnosis involves:
- A structured clinical interview aligned with DSM-5-TR criteria
- Exploration of developmental history, including childhood symptoms
- Assessment of current functioning and functional impairment
- Consideration of alternative explanations for difficulties
Questionnaires may be used as screening tools, but diagnosis is based on clinical judgement, not scores alone.
Who diagnoses ADHD?
ADHD in adults can be diagnosed by:
- Psychiatrists
- HCPC-registered psychologists with appropriate training and experience
As a Chartered Counselling Psychologist, I provide comprehensive psychological ADHD assessments. These offer a clear diagnostic opinion and detailed recommendations. Decisions regarding medication, where appropriate, are made by a medical practitioner, such as a psychiatrist, who may use this report as part of their own assessment process.
You might consider an ADHD assessment If…
You may wish to explore a private ADHD assessment if you recognise persistent patterns such as:
- Ongoing difficulty sustaining focus or completing tasks despite effort
- Chronic challenges with organisation, time management, or follow-through
- Feeling mentally overloaded or easily overwhelmed
- Emotional reactivity or difficulty regulating stress
- A sense of underachievement relative to ability
- Similar difficulties evident since childhood or education
Recognising these patterns does not mean you have ADHD, but they may indicate that a professional assessment could be helpful.
How my ADHD assessments work:
Adult ADHD assessments are complex and require careful clinical judgement. My approach is grounded in a structured diagnostic interview aligned with DSM-5-TR criteria, supported by validated screening measures and psychological formulation.
Assessments explore attention, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and developmental history, with particular attention to functional impairment across both childhood and adulthood.
ADHD is diagnosed only where criteria are clearly met. Where difficulties are better explained by other factors — such as anxiety, trauma, or burnout — this is discussed openly and ethically.
My aim is to provide clarity, understanding, and practical recommendations — not rushed or assumption-based diagnoses.
A compassionate, psychological approach
As an HCPC-Registered Counselling Psychologist, I provide comprehensive online ADHD assessments for adults that combine diagnostic rigour with psychological understanding. My work looks beyond symptoms to consider your experiences in context, including strengths, coping strategies, and life history.
Assessments are evidence-based, person-centred, and conducted entirely online, offering an accessible and thoughtful route to understanding whether ADHD is a relevant diagnosis and what support may be most appropriate.
Why have the assessment with Dr Jane Halsall?
With many years’ experience in the field, here are some reasons why clients trust me:
- HCPC-Registered Counselling Psychologist
- Ethical, clinician-led diagnostic approach
- Clear, personalised feedback — not questionnaire-based diagnosis
- Online and accessible from anywhere
If you are exploring how to get an ADHD diagnosis and would value a careful, professional assessment, you are welcome to get in touch or book online.
Adult ADHD assessments – FAQs
How long does the assessment process take from booking to report?
Once booked, appointments are typically available within a few weeks. After the assessment itself, time is allocated for scoring measures, formulation, and report writing. You will be informed clearly about timeframes so you know when to expect feedback and documentation.
Will my GP or psychiatrist accept your assessment report?
Psychological ADHD assessment reports are widely accepted by GPs, employers, universities, and private psychiatrists. However, acceptance for medication initiation is ultimately at the discretion of the prescribing clinician. I am happy to structure reports in a way that supports onward referral where appropriate.
Can the assessment be used for workplace or university adjustments?
Yes. Where ADHD is diagnosed, the report can support reasonable adjustments at work or in education. This may include recommendations related to workload management, deadlines, environment, or support strategies.
What if I feel anxious or unsure during the assessment?
It is very common to feel nervous, particularly if you have spent years doubting yourself or feeling misunderstood. The assessment is collaborative and paced carefully. There is no expectation to “perform” or present in a particular way.
Do I need school reports or childhood records?
Formal school reports are helpful where available, but they are not essential. Developmental history can often be established through clinical interviews and reflective discussion. Lack of paperwork should not deter you from seeking an assessment.
What if I can’t remember much about my childhood?
This is common in adults seeking ADHD assessment. The process does not rely solely on detailed recall and takes into account memory variability, context, and corroborative patterns rather than isolated facts.
Can ADHD be diagnosed later in life?
Yes. Many individuals are assessed and diagnosed in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. A later diagnosis does not mean ADHD is new — it usually reflects delayed recognition rather than late onset.
Will an ADHD diagnosis be shared with anyone else?
No. Your assessment and report are confidential and shared only with you, unless you choose to disclose them to a GP, employer, or educational institution.
What happens emotionally after an ADHD assessment?
People often experience a mix of relief, validation, and reflection. Some feel a sense of grief for missed support earlier in life, while others feel empowered by understanding their neurotype. Support and recommendations are tailored to help you process outcomes constructively.
Can I have therapy or coaching after the assessment?
Yes. Many people benefit from post-diagnostic psychological support or ADHD-informed therapy to help integrate insights, build strategies, and address self-criticism or burnout related to late diagnosis. The service I offer is purely assessment but I can signpost you to therapeutic support.
Is an ADHD assessment still worthwhile if I don’t want medication?
Absolutely. Many adults seek assessment for understanding, self-compassion, workplace support, or therapeutic direction rather than medication alone.
What if I’m worried about being “overdiagnosed”?
A careful assessment prioritises accuracy and ethical practice. ADHD is diagnosed only when criteria are clearly met and better explanations have been ruled out. A thoughtful assessment reduces the risk of misdiagnosis rather than increasing it.
Private ADHD assessment costs (and What’s Included)
The cost for a comprehensive ADHD assessment for adults is £1,250. This is a single, all-inclusive fee, designed to offer clarity and continuity, rather than a fragmented or add-on based process.
What the cost includes
The £1,250 private ADHD assessment fee includes:
- A full clinical ADHD assessment conducted by an HCPC-registered Counselling Psychologist
- A structured diagnostic interview aligned with DSM-5-TR criteria
- Consideration of developmental history, current functioning, and functional impairment
- Use of validated screening measures, interpreted within a full clinical formulation
- A comprehensive written diagnostic report, suitable for workplace or educational adjustments and for onward referral if needed
- A 20-minute follow-up appointment to discuss findings, answer questions, and consider next steps
There are no additional charges for the report or follow-up discussion.
Why the assessment is priced this way
A high-quality private ADHD assessment involves significantly more than the assessment appointment itself. Time is also dedicated to scoring measures, psychological formulation, careful diagnostic decision-making, and detailed report writing.
This private ADHD assessment cost reflects:
- The time and expertise required for ethical diagnostic work
- A psychological, formulation-based approach, rather than a questionnaire-led model
- The importance of providing clear, thoughtful feedback, not just a diagnostic label
Payment and Booking
Full fee details and booking options are available via the online booking system. If you have questions about whether an assessment is right for you, you are welcome to get in touch before booking.
“Working with Jane has built my confidence by supporting me to look deep within myself to understand and accept my past experiences, in order to build and maintain a proactive future”
Client
Please get in touch
0207 205 2868
or
complete the online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can book an appointment online at a time and day that suits you
