If you suspect you might have ADHD, it can feel confusing to figure out what your next step should be. Should you start therapy right away, or do you need a formal assessment first? The answer depends on your goals and what kind of support you are looking for.
The First Step: An Intake Session
At most practices, your first appointment will be an intake session. This is a chance to share your concerns, talk about your symptoms, and discuss what you hope to gain from therapy or assessment. The clinician will listen to your history and ask questions about your daily life, challenges, and strengths. From there, you and your clinician can decide together whether moving forward with therapy, an ADHD assessment, or both makes the most sense for you.
When Therapy May Be the Right Choice
Therapy can be helpful if you are looking for strategies to manage difficulties like inattention, procrastination, impulsivity, or struggles with organization. A therapist can help you build coping skills, improve emotional regulation, and explore how ADHD-like symptoms may be affecting your work, school, or relationships.
Some people begin therapy without having a formal ADHD diagnosis. If your main goal is to learn tools and improve your day-to-day functioning, you may not need an assessment right away.
When an ADHD Assessment May Be the Right Choice
An ADHD assessment provides a more comprehensive picture of your cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning. Assessments can confirm whether you meet the criteria for ADHD and can also identify other conditions that might explain your symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or a learning disorder.
A formal evaluation is especially important if you need documentation for accommodations. For example:
- Students may need an evaluation to access extended testing time or other academic support.
- Adults may need documentation to request workplace accommodations.
- Some providers require a full assessment before prescribing ADHD medication.
If your main reason for seeking help is curiosity, you may decide that therapy alone is enough. But if you need documentation or want a clear diagnostic picture, an assessment is usually recommended.
Determining Which Is Right for You
Deciding between therapy and an ADHD assessment can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to figure it out on your own. The intake session is designed to help you sort through your goals and decide on the path that best meets your needs. If you’d like to take the next step, please contact us to get started.
Whether you choose therapy, an assessment, or both, the important thing is that you are taking steps toward understanding yourself better and finding support that helps you thrive.
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