Adult ADHD Evaluation at Strive CLE Counseling

An adult ADHD evaluation at Strive CLE is a structured, team-based assessment that looks at attention, mood, medical factors, and daily life functioning, not just a checklist of symptoms.

The process combines questionnaires, a computerized attention test (T.O.V.A.), in-depth psychosocial interviewing, and a detailed psychiatric/medical review to reach a thoughtful, individualized diagnosis and plan.

The evaluation is completed over several appointments:

• 1. Step 1—Questionnaires and T.O.V.A. (up to 90 minutes): You complete ADHD and mental health questionnaires through the client portal, and a partner, parent, or support person may complete collateral forms as well. Then you come to our Westlake office for the T.O.V.A., a brief computerized task that measures focus and impulse control over time, giving objective data to pair with your history and questionnaires. (*Note: Clients can also schedule just the T.O.V.A. if they are working with an outside provider seeking additional diagnostic data).*
• 2. Step 2—Diagnostic Interview using DIVA-5 (up to 90 minutes): You meet with an ADHD-specialized provider (PMHNP or LPCC-S, ADHD-CCSP) for a structured diagnostic interview using the DIVA-5, based on DSM-5 criteria. You will review current symptoms, childhood history, and how attention difficulties affect work, school, and relationships.
• 3. Step 3—Psychosocial History & Medical/Psychiatric Review (up to 60 minutes): Our specialized PMHNP conducts a detailed medical and psychiatric evaluation, reviewing medical history, current medications, family mental health history, and screening for conditions that can mimic or occur alongside ADHD.
• 4. Step 4—Results, Feedback & Recommendations (up to 60 minutes): You receive a clear explanation of whether you meet criteria for ADHD, a review of your T.O.V.A. report and questionnaire patterns in understandable language, and personalized recommendations (medication options, therapy, coaching, accommodations, lifestyle changes, and follow-up plan).

The Test of Variables of Attention (T.O.V.A.) is a computerized task that measures sustained attention and impulse control over time. It is a well-studied and FDA approved attention measure that has shown high accuracy in distinguishing individuals with and without ADHD, and it provides objective, standardized data that is less influenced by language, education, or observer bias.

T.O.V.A. is always used as part of a comprehensive assessment-its results are combined with interviews, history, and rating scales and are not used as a stand-alone diagnostic test. It also helps guide treatment decisions over time by tracking response to medications or behavioral strategies, detecting subtle changes, and highlighting specific attention strengths and weaknesses.

You will typically meet with:

• An ADHD-CCSP, LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with specialized ADHD training) for the psychosocial evaluation, focusing on your lived experience and history.
• A PMHNP (psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner) for the detailed medical and psychiatric review and the feedback/recommendations appointment.

This team-based approach allows you to be evaluated from both a psychological and medical perspective, which improves diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning.

Yes! All provider evaluation appointments (including your clinical interviews, psychosocial evaluation, medical review, and feedback sessions) are covered by your health insurance. We will bill your insurance directly for these visits.

While provider appointments are covered, specialized testing materials are offered at a simple, one-time flat fee. Most insurance plans do not cover specialized testing tools or related evaluation components. This flat fee covers your full battery of assessment tools, including FDA-cleared objective testing using the T.O.V.A. (Test of Variables of Attention), along with any additional measures clinically necessary to fully understand your symptoms and ensure diagnostic accuracy.

This format allows us to go beyond the limits of standard insurance-based testing, ensuring your evaluation is comprehensive, efficient, and tailored to your specific needs without compromising quality.

At the feedback appointment, you receive:

• A clear explanation of whether you meet criteria for ADHD and how that decision was made
• A walkthrough of your T.O.V.A. report and questionnaire patterns in understandable language
• Personalized recommendations, which may include medication, therapy, coaching, accommodations, lifestyle changes, and follow-up care options

The goal is for you to leave feeling informed, validated, and supported-walking away with an actionable plan, not just a diagnosis label.

Not everyone needs to wait for a full neuropsychological evaluation. Focused ADHD evaluations that include structured interviews, validated questionnaires, collateral information, and objective attention testing (like T.O.V.A.) are often sufficient when the main question is ADHD and there are no significant red flags for complex neurological or learning disorders.

A neuropsychological assessment may be recommended if there are concerns about broader cognitive difficulties (such as suspected learning disorders, brain injury, or major memory problems), high-stakes legal or academic questions, or very complicated diagnostic pictures. For many adults seeking clarity about attention, organization, and executive functioning to guide everyday treatment, the Strive CLE model is typically a faster, more affordable first step.

The evaluation is designed to look beyond ADHD. The team will assess for mood disorders, anxiety, trauma- and stress-related conditions, learning issues, sleep problems, substance use, and medical factors that can mimic or worsen attention difficulties.

T.O.V.A. Data, history, and clinical interviews together help distinguish when attention problems are more likely due to ADHD versus other conditions such as sleep disorders, traumatic brain injury, or other neurological and learning problems.