How our online ADHD assessment works
You complete validated questionnaires online in about 45 minutes, a licensed clinical psychologist reviews your responses within 48 hours, you book and attend a 30-minute video appointment, and you receive a written diagnostic report based on DSM-5-TR criteria.
Clinically reviewed · Updated October 2, 2026
An ADHD diagnosis should rest on more than a questionnaire score. Our process pairs validated screening tools with a clinical interview by a licensed psychologist, and it is organized so you can do the reflective part at your own pace and spend the live appointment on what matters.
Here is each step in order.
Step 1: complete the online evaluation
You start the evaluation at /assessment. The first question confirms you are 18 or older, since the assessment is for adults only. You then work through a series of questionnaires at your own pace. Most people finish in about 45 minutes, and your progress saves automatically if you need a break.
The questionnaires are standard clinical instruments, not quizzes we wrote ourselves:
- ASRS v1.1, the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale developed with the World Health Organization. Its 18 items map onto the DSM symptom criteria for ADHD.
- GAD-7 for anxiety, MDI for depression, PCL-5 for post-traumatic stress and WHO-5 for general well-being.
- Short screeners for panic symptoms and substance use, plus questions about sleep and caffeine.
- A childhood history section, because ADHD by definition begins early in life.
- An intake form covering your health history, medications and current circumstances.
There are no right or wrong answers. Describe how things usually are for you, not how they are on your best or worst day. The $189 evaluation fee is charged when you submit.
Step 2: a psychologist reviews your responses
Within 48 hours of submission, a state-licensed clinical psychologist reads your evaluation. They look at your scores on each instrument, but they also read your individual answers and your childhood history. They are looking for patterns, for symptoms that point toward a condition other than ADHD, and for anything that needs a closer look in the interview.
This review is done by a person. We do not use an algorithm to decide who gets diagnosed. It means your appointment time is spent on discussion rather than on filling in forms.
Step 3: book your video appointment
Once your evaluation is in, you choose a time for your appointment. The $199 appointment fee is charged 48 hours before the session. You can reschedule or cancel free of charge up to 48 hours before; the details are in our refund policy.
For the appointment you need a device with a camera and microphone, a reliable internet connection and a private space. The video call runs in your browser, so there is nothing to install. You must be physically located in your home state at the time of the appointment, since your psychologist is licensed there.
Step 4: attend the diagnostic appointment
The appointment is a 30-minute video session with your psychologist. It is a structured clinical interview, but it feels like a conversation. You can expect to talk about:
- When your difficulties began and how they showed up in school and early adulthood
- How symptoms affect your work, relationships, finances and daily routines
- Your questionnaire results and what stood out
- Other explanations your psychologist wants to rule in or out
Your psychologist applies the DSM-5-TR criteria, which require that symptoms have been present since childhood, show up in more than one setting and cause real impairment. By the end of the session they will usually share their diagnostic impression and talk through next steps. Our what to expect page describes the appointment in more detail.
Step 5: receive your written report
After the appointment your psychologist writes up your diagnostic report. It includes your diagnosis against DSM-5-TR criteria, or a clear statement that criteria were not met, along with your scores, their clinical interpretation, any co-occurring conditions identified and recommendations.
The report is signed by a licensed clinical psychologist and is written to be useful outside our service. People share it with a primary care doctor or psychiatrist to discuss medication, with an employer to request ADA accommodations, or with a college disability office for Section 504 accommodations. You also receive a superbill with CPT and diagnostic codes if you want to claim out-of-network reimbursement.
Why the process is built this way
Research on ADHD assessment consistently finds that combining rating scales with a structured clinical interview is more accurate than either on its own. Scales on their own produce false positives, because anxiety, depression, poor sleep and trauma can all look like inattention.
They also produce false negatives, because many adults have built coping strategies that hide their symptoms. The interview is where a psychologist sorts this out.
Screening for other conditions at the same time matters for the same reason. Most adults with ADHD have at least one other condition (Kessler et al., 2006), and a report that names them is far more useful for treatment planning than one that only answers yes or no on ADHD.
Separating the questionnaire from the appointment has a practical benefit too. You can think carefully about your answers without a clock running, and your psychologist arrives at the appointment already knowing your history.
Next steps
Read about what to expect at each stage, check cost and insurance, or look at the evidence on online testing. When you are ready, you can start the evaluation. No referral is needed. If you have a question first, our FAQ and contact pages are the best places to go.
Common questions
How long does the whole process take?
The questionnaire takes about 45 minutes. A psychologist reviews it within 48 hours, and the video appointment lasts 30 minutes. How quickly you finish depends mostly on when you book your appointment.
Can I pause the questionnaire and come back?
Yes. Your answers save automatically as you go, so you can stop and return later. We recommend finishing in one sitting if you can, because answers given under similar conditions are more consistent.
Do I need any special software for the video appointment?
No. The appointment runs in your web browser on a computer, tablet or phone with a camera and microphone. You need a stable internet connection and a private space where you can talk freely.
Who actually makes the diagnosis?
A state-licensed clinical psychologist. They review your questionnaire responses, interview you on video and apply DSM-5-TR criteria. We do not use automated scoring to decide a diagnosis.