Understand your brain. Unlock your potential.
ADHD Assessment and Coaching
"ADHD is like having a Ferrari brain with bicycle breaks" Dr Edward Hallowell
Neurodiversity is a way in which we can describe neurological differences in how the brain can work. It is estimated that neurodivergent individuals make up at least 20% of the population.
In Human Givens, we describe neurotypical and neurodiverse as our brain design. We passionately believe that there is no single "right" way of thinking, feeling and being. But, having a clearer understanding about your brain design, can make a very valuable contribution to help you live a life in a better balance.
All of our therapists embrace and celebrate difference. Sessions are designed to bring insights whether your brain design is neurotypical or neurodiverse. We value the insight and lens that each client brings to their life and understanding of the world.
Understanding your brain design
Neurotypical describes what is said to be standard or the societal norm in how the brain functions, connects up and processes information, and how we experience emotions, thoughts and behave.
The term neurodiervse or neurodivergent was coined as an opposite to neurotypical.
There are a number of neurological conditions which are agreed to be under the umbrella of neurodiversity: autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, tourette syndrome and epilepsy.
It is important to remember that no two brains are the same - we see that everyone is unique. Therapists at the York Centre work compassionately and using practical and psychological tools in response to each person's needs.
Is a formal assessment needed to help someone with ADHD?
The potential value of a diagnosis or label is very personal. The Human Givens approach to psychotherapy is focused on helping people to understand themselves more deeply, to have positive self worth and achieve their goals in life.
You may decide that having a formal assessment helps you to reach this understanding more deeply, make sense of the past and bring clarity to your life moving forward. There are also potential organisation adjustments and support you can access.
At the same time, many people decide that a formal diagnosis isn't needed or wanted. What they achieve through therapy and counselling with someone who understands neurodiversity is sufficient to help them to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Supporting clients with a potential ADHD brain design
Dr Edward Hallowell uses the metaphor above to reframe ADHD as high horsepower with underdeveloped regulation, rather than a deficit.
Our focus is on listening and understanding each person as an individual, and providing the highest quality support drawing from many different evidence-based research and practice.
For those who have been diagnosed for a while, or diagnosed at school or university, and received only a cursory note about managing their condition, we have found that a deeper understanding of ADHD can explain their symptoms of anxiety, obsessive behaviours, insecurity, underachieving, chaotic relationships and other symptoms which cause a heavy mental load. We work in a compassionate way to help to put strategies into place to reduce any negative impact of symptoms, whilst opening opportunities to the benefits of their brain design.
So, in the words of Dr Hallowell, our clients can learn the skills to build "effective breaks", feel secure and whole within themselves, and build their self confidence. Overall, a life in balance.
Our experience in this area is that some clients have lived their lives ‘fighting’ themselves, trying to fit in, not be too much, never feeling satisfied, or feeling that something is just out of reach. Once they have a diagnosis, a period of grief or great joy (or both) can occur.
ADHD assessment and coaching services
We strive to provide excellent quality services which also use the human needs approach to help clients lead a life in better balance:
Assessment - we provide a NICE compliant, gold standard assessment service. This service is only available to clients who are working with us therapeutically. It includes an initial screening and full assessment with you and important others directly in-person or online (rather than all questionnaires).
The assessment is undertaken by at least two qualified assessors and includes a feedback session, lots of helpful signposting and advice with next steps.
Coaching – delivered by our qualified ADHD coaches (most with lived experience), our ADHD coaching is aligned with good mental health practice and in certain circumstances can be fully funded.
Family engagement – helping families to fully understand the brain development, the sensitivities and strengths and how to nurture trusting relationships for long-term stability.
What standards does the assessment meet?
Will my assessment be accepted by education bodies?
Under the Equality Act 2010, educational institutions have a legal duty to support a student’s identified learning needs and implement reasonable adjustments. A NICE-compliant report provides the clear, objective evidence they need to put this support in place.
Assessments at the York Centre seek to actively involve relevant educational establishments in the assessment process, which helps to build a valid and reliable conclusion to take forward into the future.
Will my assessment be accepted by my employer?
Employers are legally required to provide reasonable adjustments for neurodivergent staff. Our comprehensive reports offer practical, tailored workplace recommendations to help you thrive.
Will my assessment be accepted by the NHS?
While our diagnoses are clinically robust, the NHS operates under independent regional protocols regarding medication.
If you wish to transfer to NHS care for medication via a Shared Care Agreement, we can recommend medication-only services which can support your transfer back to the GP for medication over time, following a period of stabilisation of medication known as titration.
How long does the assessment process take?
Our goal is to complete an assessment within 2-3 weeks. This timeframe is dependent on the availability of the client and others who are involved in giving evidence to the process.
Can anyone book an ADHD assessment?
We have decided to undertake ADHD assessments only with people that we work with therapeutically. We include relevant information from therapy sessions into the assessment process, which we are confident increases the validity and credibility of the assessment result.
By viewing the assessment as part of an ongoing therapeutic relationship, we can bring a deeper understanding to the assessment and continue to support all of our clients following tthe completion of the diagnosis.