We are now offering ADHD Screening & Full ADHD Assessments over at the Hub
We’re excited to announce that TLC Counselling Hub, along with our new collaboration the Danebury Practice https://www.instagram.com/thedaneburypractice/?hl=en is now offering comprehensive ADHD screening, assessments, and diagnosis.
Nicky recently became a fully qualified ADHD assessor, driven by the significant gap in professional services both locally and nationwide. She was also frustrated by the high costs that private companies were charging for these services!
Understanding ADHD
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults. Difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity characterize it. While commonly associated with children, it is estimated that 3-4% of UK adults now have ADHD.
So why do I need an ADHD Assessment?
- Accurate Diagnosis: An assessment helps determine whether your symptoms are due to ADHD or another condition, ensuring you receive appropriate treatment.
- Effective Management: Identifying ADHD allows for the development of tailored strategies and treatments, such as behavioral therapy or medication, to manage symptoms effectively.
- Improved Quality of Life: Proper diagnosis and management can enhance daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being.
- Understanding Coexisting Conditions: An assessment can identify other conditions that often accompany ADHD, such as anxiety or depression, overthinking, overstimulation and many more neurodiverse traits. This will allow scope for comprehensive treatment.
- Explains your way of being and why you do the things you do.
Initial ADHD Screening Appointment £250
An ADHD screening typically involves a detailed interview with Nicky where she will ask questions about your symptoms, gather information from other relevant individuals like family members or teachers, and use standardized questionnaires or rating scales to assess whether your behaviors align with ADHD criteria; this process aims to identify potential ADHD symptoms and determine if further evaluation is needed for a definitive diagnosis. this
Key aspects of an ADHD screening:
Detailed interview:
Nicky will ask about your current and past experiences with symptoms like difficulty concentrating, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, and how these issues impact your daily life.
Rating scales and questionnaires:
You will likely be asked to complete questionnaires that rate the frequency and severity of ADHD symptoms, often covering different areas like home, school, and work.
Information from others:
For children or adolescents, Nicky may also interview parents, teachers, or other caregivers to get a broader perspective on behaviors.
Review of medical history:
Nicky will also ask about your overall health, developmental history, and any other relevant medical conditions.
Observation of behavior:
During the interview, Nicky may be observing your behavior and interactions to assess for potential ADHD traits and characteristics.
Important points to remember:
Not a definitive diagnosis:
An ADHD screening is not a definitive diagnosis, but rather a preliminary step to identify potential concerns and determine if further evaluation is needed.
Age-appropriate assessment:
The screening process will be tailored to your age, taking into account developmental factors.
Potential for other conditions:
The screening may also look for other conditions that could present with similar symptoms, such as anxiety or learning disabilities.
ADHD Full Assessment & Diagnosis £1275
An ADHD assessment is important for several reasons here’s a breakdown of why it really matters:
Clarity and Understanding
It helps individuals (and those around them) better understand the challenges they’ve been experiencing. ADHD can affect focus, organization, time management, emotional regulation, and relationships, but without a proper assessment, those struggles might be misattributed to personality flaws, anxiety, or other issues.
Accurate Diagnosis
ADHD symptoms can overlap with other conditions like anxiety, depression, trauma, or learning difficulties. A thorough assessment ensures the correct diagnosis and helps rule out or identify co-occurring conditions. This is essential to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment.
Tailored Support and Treatment
With a clear diagnosis, people can access appropriate treatment—this might include coaching, therapy, workplace or academic accommodations, lifestyle adjustments, or sometimes medication. These can make a huge difference in daily functioning and quality of life.
Empowerment and Self-Awareness
For many adults, especially those diagnosed later in life, an assessment can be life-changing. It validates their experiences and helps them reframe past difficulties with greater compassion and context.
Better Communication with Others
Having a formal assessment report can help individuals communicate their needs more effectively to employers, educators, partners, or healthcare providers. It can also help reduce stigma by framing ADHD as a neurological condition, not a moral failing.
Informed Support Plans
For healthcare providers, teachers, or employers, having a clear assessment helps them offer the right support, whether that’s through reasonable adjustments, therapy referrals, or medication management.
So How does the TLC Counselling Hub do ADHD Assessments?
Whenever possible, Nicky also likes to speak with someone who knows the client well in their current life, as this can offer additional valuable insight. She may review old school reports (if available), along with questionnaires that the client will have received and completed prior to the assessment.
Following the assessment, Nicky prepares a detailed ADHD assessment report. With the client’s consent, this report is shared with their GP, and the client also receives a copy.
The report is designed to enhance the GP’s understanding of the client’s condition, especially since the effects of ADHD in adulthood can sometimes be overlooked by other healthcare providers. If any essential information is missing, the completion of the assessment may be delayed.
A full diagnosis, whether confirming ADHD or identifying another issue, will be discussed in a follow-up appointment. We allocate a generous amount of time for the assessment to ensure an accurate diagnosis and to provide ample opportunity to explain treatment options and address any questions you may have.
