If you’ve been on the NHS waiting list for months (or years), you’re not alone. London’s ADHD assessment waitlists now stretch beyond 3 years in some boroughs. For professionals navigating the Tube each morning whilst battling executive dysfunction, that’s simply too long.
A private ADHD assessment offers a faster route to diagnosis, treatment, and the support you need to thrive—not just survive.
Why Consider Private ADHD Assessment?
The Reality of NHS Waiting Times
The statistics are sobering. Across London, average NHS ADHD waiting times are:
- Brent and Harrow: 36+ months
- Camden and Islington: 28-32 months
- Southwark and Lambeth: 24+ months
For adults who’ve been masking symptoms for decades, waiting another two or three years isn’t just inconvenient – it’s professionally and personally damaging.
What You Gain with Private Assessment
Speed: Most private clinics offer appointments within 2-4 weeks.
Comprehensive evaluation: Private assessments often include advanced diagnostics like QbCheck, a computerised test that measures attention, impulsivity, and activity levels with objective data.
Expert clinicians: You’ll be assessed by clinical psychologists who specialise in adult ADHD, not generalists juggling dozens of conditions.
Post-diagnosis support: Many private clinics offer ongoing therapy, medication titration, and workplace adjustment letters—services that can be patchy on the NHS.
How Much Does Private ADHD Assessment Cost in London?
Let’s talk numbers. Transparency matters, especially when you’re already stressed about finances.
Typical Private ADHD Assessment Costs
| Service | Price Range |
| Initial consultation | £300-£500 |
| Full diagnostic assessment | £800-£2,000 |
| QbCheck computerised test | Included or £150-£250 |
| Follow-up appointments | £150-£300 |
| Medication titration (if needed) | £200-£400 per session |
At London Trusted Therapy, we use QbCheck technology as part of our ADHD assessments, providing objective, measurable data alongside clinical interviews. This gold-standard approach costs £1,200-£1,800 for a complete diagnostic pathway.
What’s Included in the Price?
A comprehensive private ADHD assessment should include:
- Pre-assessment questionnaires (ASRS, DIVA-5)
- Clinical interview covering developmental history, current symptoms, and functional impairment
- QbCheck computerised test (measuring attention, impulsivity, and motor activity)
- Collateral information from a family member or partner (if available)
- Detailed diagnostic report suitable for employers, universities, or shared care
- Treatment recommendations including therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments
The Private ADHD Assessment Process: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Initial Enquiry and Booking
You’ll complete a brief online form or phone our Harley Street clinic. We’ll ask about your symptoms, any previous mental health treatment, and what you’re hoping to achieve.
Timeline: Immediate to 48 hours for appointment confirmation.
Step 2: Pre-Assessment Questionnaires
Before your first appointment, you’ll complete standardised ADHD screening tools:
- ASRS-v1.1 (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale)
- WURS (Wender Utah Rating Scale) for childhood symptoms
- DIVA-5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults)
These help your clinician prepare and make the assessment more efficient.
Timeline: Complete online in 30-45 minutes.
Step 3: The Clinical Assessment
This is the heart of the process. You’ll meet with a clinical psychologist specialised in adult ADHD.
What happens:
- Detailed discussion of your symptoms across the lifespan
- Questions about how ADHD affects work, relationships, and daily functioning
- Review of any comorbid conditions (anxiety, depression, autism)
- Optional collateral interview with someone who’s known you since childhood
Duration: 90-120 minutes.
Step 4: QbCheck Computerised Test
The QbCheck test measures three core ADHD symptoms objectively:
- Attention (how well you track a target over 15-20 minutes)
- Impulsivity (how often you respond incorrectly)
- Activity (physical movement during the test)
You’ll sit in front of a screen wearing a motion-tracking headband. It’s non-invasive, evidence-based, and approved by NICE.
Duration: 20 minutes for the test, results integrated into your report.
Step 5: Diagnosis and Report
Within 7-10 working days, you’ll receive a comprehensive diagnostic report including:
- Clear statement of diagnosis (ADHD, no ADHD, or further assessment needed)
- Subtype (combined, inattentive, or hyperactive-impulsive)
- Severity rating and functional impairment analysis
- Treatment recommendations (medication, therapy, workplace adjustments)
- Suitable for shared care agreements with your NHS GP
Step 6: Treatment Planning
If diagnosed, you’ll discuss next steps:
- Medication: If medication is your preferred treatment option, we’ll refer you to one of our trusted psychiatry partners on Harley Street for prescription and titration. Our partners include Dr Tim Ojo, Dr Dmitri Popelyuk (Popelyuk Adult Psychiatry), and Dr Alex Cappai (Diverse Minds Clinic). Once your medication is stabilised, you can transfer to shared care with your NHS GP.
- Therapy: CBT for ADHD, coaching, or psychoeducation provided by our clinical team
- Workplace adjustments: Letters for Access to Work or reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act
- Lifestyle strategies: Sleep hygiene, nutrition, exercise routines for ADHD brains
What Is Shared Care and How Does It Work?
This is the clever part. Shared care allows you to get your ADHD diagnosis and initial treatment privately, then transfer prescribing responsibilities to your NHS GP.
How Shared Care Works
- Private diagnosis: You receive your ADHD assessment and diagnostic report from our clinical psychologist.
- Psychiatry referral: If medication is appropriate, we refer you to one of our trusted psychiatry partners on Harley Street (Dr Tim Ojo, Dr Dmitri Popelyuk, or Dr Alex Cappai).
- Medication initiation: Your referred psychiatrist starts you on ADHD medication (usually methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine) and monitors the first few months.
- Shared care request: Your psychiatrist writes to your NHS GP with a detailed treatment plan and medication protocol.
- GP agreement: If your GP agrees (most do), they take over prescribing. You continue to see your private psychiatrist for annual reviews.
- NHS prescriptions: You now get ADHD medication on NHS prescription, costing just £9.90 per month (or free with a prepayment certificate).
Will My GP Accept Shared Care?
Most London GPs accept shared care agreements for ADHD, especially when:
- The diagnosis is from an HCPC-registered clinical psychologist
- The prescribing psychiatrist is GMC-registered
- The report is detailed and evidence-based (including QbCheck data)
- The medication is on the NHS formulary (methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine)
Our psychiatry partners (Dr Tim Ojo, Dr Dmitri Popelyuk, and Dr Alex Cappai) have established shared care pathways with GP surgeries across Central London, Westminster, Camden, and Kensington & Chelsea.
Who Should Consider Private ADHD Assessment?
You’re a Good Candidate If:
✓ You’re on an NHS waiting list with no appointment in sight
✓ Your ADHD symptoms are affecting work performance, relationships, or mental health
✓ You’re a professional who can’t afford to wait years for diagnosis
✓ You’ve been told you “don’t seem like you have ADHD” by a GP who doesn’t specialise in it
✓ You’re a woman in your 30s-40s who’s masked symptoms your whole life
When to Stick with the NHS
The NHS is still the right choice if:
- You’re financially unable to afford private fees
- Your symptoms are mild and not causing significant impairment
- You’re under 18 (child ADHD services are more available on the NHS)
Choosing the Right Private ADHD Clinic in London
Not all private clinics are created equal. Here’s what to look for:
Red Flags to Avoid
❌ “Online-only” assessments: ADHD diagnosis requires in-person clinical judgement, not just a Zoom call
❌ Guaranteed diagnosis: Ethical clinicians assess, they don’t promise outcomes
❌ Unregistered clinicians: Always check GMC or HCPC registration
Green Flags of Quality
✓ Clinical psychologists or consultant psychiatrists (not trainee clinicians)
✓ Evidence-based tools like QbCheck, DIVA-5, or QbTest
✓ Transparent pricing with no hidden costs
✓ Established psychiatry referral pathways for medication management
✓ Post-diagnosis support (therapy, coaching, workplace letters)
At London Trusted Therapy on Harley Street, our ADHD assessments are conducted by the team of our HCPC registered Clinical with over 70 years of joined clinical experience. If medication is appropriate, we refer to trusted psychiatry partners including Dr Tim Ojo, Dr Dmitri Popelyuk, and Dr Alex Cappai.
What Happens After Diagnosis?
Getting the diagnosis is just the beginning. Here’s what you can expect:
If You’re Prescribed Medication
Following your ADHD diagnosis, if you choose medication as part of your treatment plan, we’ll refer you to one of our trusted psychiatry partners on Harley Street. They will prescribe and monitor:
Methylphenidate (Concerta, Medikinet): Stimulant medication that improves focus and reduces impulsivity. Takes 30-60 minutes to work, lasts 8-12 hours.
Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse): Another stimulant, smoother release, lasts 10-14 hours. Preferred for people who need all-day coverage.
Atomoxetine (Strattera): Non-stimulant option, takes 4-6 weeks to work but no abuse potential.
You’ll need monthly check-ins initially with your psychiatrist, then 3-6 monthly reviews once stable. Once your medication is optimised, your psychiatrist will establish shared care with your NHS GP.
Therapy and Coaching
Medication helps, but it’s not the whole picture. Many adults with ADHD benefit from:
- CBT for ADHD: Addressing negative thought patterns and building executive function skills
- ADHD coaching: Practical strategies for time management, organisation, and goal-setting
- Couples therapy: If ADHD is impacting your relationship
Workplace Support
Your diagnostic report can be used to request:
- Access to Work funding (up to £66,000 per year for adjustments)
- Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act (flexible hours, noise-cancelling headphones, written instructions)
- Disabled Students’ Allowance if you’re at university
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, via shared care. Following your ADHD diagnosis with our clinical psychologist, we’ll refer you to one of our psychiatry partners who will initiate medication treatment. Your psychiatrist will then establish shared care with your NHS GP, who takes over prescribing.
From initial enquiry to diagnosis: 3-4 weeks. From diagnosis to stable medication: 2-3 months.
Not unless you tell them. Your diagnosis is confidential. However, many people choose to disclose to access workplace adjustments.
Sometimes. Bupa, Aviva, and AXA PPP often cover ADHD assessments if you have mental health cover. Check your policy.
Your clinical psychologist will explain why and discuss alternative explanations (anxiety, depression, autism, sleep disorders). You’ll still receive a full report and recommendations.
Next Steps: Book Your Private ADHD Assessment
If you’re tired of waiting and ready to take control of your ADHD, here’s how to get started:
📍 Location: Pinero House, 115A Harley Street, London W1G 6AP
📞 Phone: 0207126 8545
📧 Email: hello@londontrustedtherapy.com
🌐 Website: www.londontrustedtherapy.com
What we offer:
- Comprehensive ADHD assessments with QbCheck technology conducted by experienced clinical psychologists
- Referrals to trusted Harley Street psychiatrists for medication management (Dr Tim Ojo, Dr Dmitri Popelyuk from Popelyuk Adult Psychiatry, and Dr Alex Cappai from Diverse Minds Clinic)
- Support establishing shared care agreements with NHS GPs
- Therapy, coaching, and workplace adjustment letters
What to do now:
- Complete our online enquiry form (takes 5 minutes)
- Speak with our clinical team about your symptoms and goals
- Book your assessment (we have appointments within 2 weeks)
- Receive your diagnosis and start treatment
You’ve spent long enough wondering. Let’s get you answers.
About the Author
Dr Olena Edwards-Skadowska is the Founder and CEO of London Trusted Therapy, a Harley Street practice specialising in ADHD and autism assessments. With over 20 years of clinical experience and lived experience of neurodiversity, Dr Olena combines clinical rigour with authentic human connection. She is BACP Accredited, a member of the British Society for Sexual Medicine (MBSSM), and clinically trained in ADOS-2 autism assessments.
For deeper insight into ADHD diagnosis, treatment approaches, and common misconceptions, watch our conversation with Dr. Alex Cappai, one of the UK’s leading ADHD specialists, filmed at our Harley Street clinic.
