ADHD Adult Evaluation

Many adults come into the process unsure whether what they’re experiencing is ADHD, burnout, anxiety, or something else. The evaluation is designed to help clarify these overlapping patterns—you don’t need to have it figured out ahead of time.

Not always.

Many adults seeking answers about ADHD do not require a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation.

If your primary question is:

• Do I meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD?

• Could ADHD explain the difficulties I've experienced since childhood?

• How do my symptoms compare with anxiety, trauma, or other possible explanations?

a focused ADHD diagnostic evaluation is often sufficient.

Attention, sensory processing, and emotional regulation can overlap across different conditions. Part of the evaluation process involves understanding these patterns in context, so the outcome reflects your full experience rather than a single label.

Yes. Many adults seeking evaluation were not identified in childhood. The assessment process looks at your current experience alongside patterns over time, using multiple sources of information to build a clear and accurate understanding.

The process is structured, but not rigid. We move through a series of focused questions and measures, while also allowing space to understand your experience in context.

You don’t need to arrive with a perfectly organized explanation. The goal is to create clarity over time, not to test whether you “fit” a diagnosis.

Yes. Adult ADHD evaluations are conducted online through secure video appointments. You must be physically located in California at the time of each appointment.

Yes. Evaluations are typically conducted online, but in-person testing is available for clients whose insurance provider, school, employer, or another organization requires it. A modest additional fee applies to in-person evaluations. Please let me know about this requirement before scheduling.

The purpose of the evaluation is to understand what best explains your experience—not to guarantee a particular diagnosis. If you do not meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, we’ll discuss the findings, other factors that may be contributing to your difficulties, and recommendations for appropriate next steps. You will still receive a written diagnostic summary documenting the evaluation and conclusions.

If you meet DSM-5-TR criteria for ADHD, your written diagnostic summary will include the appropriate ADHD diagnosis, presentation, and corresponding ICD-10-CM diagnostic code. You can share this documentation with your physician, psychiatrist, school, workplace, or insurance provider as appropriate.

No. Psychologists in California do not prescribe medication. If you receive an ADHD diagnosis and would like to explore medication, you can share your diagnostic documentation with a physician, psychiatrist, or other qualified prescribing provider. The prescribing provider will complete their own assessment and determine whether medication is appropriate.

I provide thorough clinical evaluations and documentation to support diagnosis and accommodation requests for adults.

This includes a formal letter you can use in workplace and professional settings where documentation from a licensed psychologist is needed.

I provide thorough clinical evaluations and documentation to support diagnosis and accommodation requests for adult students.

This includes a formal letter you can submit to a college, university, or professional training program when documentation from a licensed psychologist is required. Because each institution establishes its own documentation requirements, I recommend asking the institution, “Do you require a full neuropsychological or psychoeducational evaluation for ADHD accommodations, or will you accept a focused ADHD evaluation and documentation from a licensed psychologist?”

I do not accept insurance and payment is made directly to the practice. However, if your plan includes out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement. Upon request, I can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company. Reimbursement is determined entirely by your insurance plan and cannot be guaranteed.

Before beginning the evaluation, call the member-services number on your insurance card and ask:

• Does my plan include out-of-network benefits for an adult psychological diagnostic evaluation?

• Are telehealth evaluation services covered?

• Do I need prior authorization or a referral?

• Do I have an out-of-network deductible, and how much remains?

• What percentage or amount will the plan reimburse after the deductible?

• Which billing codes will be used, and are those codes covered by my plan?

• How and when should I submit a superbill for reimbursement?

I can provide the relevant billing codes for you to verify with your insurer before scheduling. A statement that a service is “covered” does not necessarily mean the insurer will reimburse the full fee.