CLINICAL APPROACH
My Clinical Approach to ADHD Assessment
A careful, formulation-led approach grounded in recognised UK clinical standards.
My approach to ADHD assessment is structured, comprehensive, and informed by NICE Guideline NG87 for the diagnosis and management of ADHD. The focus is not simply on identifying symptoms, but on developing a clear and clinically meaningful understanding of your experiences.
A Formulation-Led Assessment
ADHD cannot be accurately understood through a single test or checklist.
I take a formulation-led approach, which means understanding your experiences in context, across your life, your environment, and your personal history to explore how patterns of attention, organisation, and emotional regulation have developed over time.
The aim is to develop a balanced and clinically grounded understanding of your individual profile, including both strengths and difficulties.
A Multi-Method Approach
A meaningful assessment draws on multiple sources of information, rather than relying on a single measure.
This includes a detailed clinical interview, developmental history, and consideration of how your difficulties present across different areas of life.
Where appropriate, structured assessment tools such as the DIVA-5 and validated screening measures may be used to support and inform clinical judgement.
However, the assessment is not based on a single test or checklist. It is based on a detailed, narrative clinical evaluation of your experiences over time, across different settings, and within the context of your developmental history.
Clinical Depth and Differential Understanding
Difficulties with attention, organisation, or emotional regulation can arise from a range of factors. As part of the assessment, I consider whether ADHD best explains your experiences, or whether other factors may be contributing, such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma-related difficulties
- Autism-related traits
This ensures that any conclusions are accurate, appropriate, and clinically meaningful.
Beyond Diagnosis
The aim of this assessment is not simply to confirm or rule out ADHD. It is to provide a clear, evidence-based understanding of your experiences, and to identify the most appropriate direction for support. This includes:
- Understanding how your difficulties have developed over time
- Identifying patterns that may be maintaining them
- Clarifying what support or intervention is likely to be most helpful
A Careful and Individualised Process
Every assessment is conducted personally by me, ensuring continuity, depth, and a consistent clinical understanding throughout.
This is not a high-volume or standardised service. It is a careful, individualised process designed to provide clarity, accuracy, and a meaningful understanding of your experiences.
Book a Consultation
Take the first step towards understanding your experiences.
07584 354041 | info@drmcphee.co.uk
Appointments are limited each month to ensure every client receives the depth of assessment they deserve.