A plain-language guide for adults who think they might have ADHD: what the evaluation includes, how long it takes, and what comes next.
Book an ADHD Evaluation →Most adults who come in for an ADHD evaluation have been living with the same patterns for years, forgetting important things, struggling to start or finish tasks, feeling like they are working twice as hard as everyone around them just to keep up. Many were told they were lazy, scattered, or not living up to their potential.
Common signs that prompt adults to seek an ADHD evaluation include:
You do not need to have every symptom, and you do not need to have been hyperactive as a child. Adult ADHD often looks different, particularly in women, where inattentive symptoms dominate. Read more about ADHD in women →
An ADHD evaluation with Alice is a 60-minute comprehensive clinical interview, not a series of computer tests. It is a conversation designed to understand how your brain works across different areas of your life.
The evaluation covers:
At the end of your first visit, you will have a clear picture of what is going on. There are three possible outcomes:
If the evaluation supports a diagnosis, you will receive a formal ADHD diagnosis along with a personalized treatment plan, which may include medication, behavioral strategies, or both.
ADHD commonly occurs alongside anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. When multiple conditions are present, the treatment plan addresses all of them, not just the most visible one.
Sometimes what looks like ADHD turns out to be anxiety, burnout, a mood disorder, or a combination of things. That is still a valuable outcome. You leave with clarity and a path forward, even if ADHD is not the diagnosis.
When ADHD is confirmed, treatment typically begins at or shortly after your first appointment. Options include:
Follow-up appointments (30 or 50 minutes) typically happen every 2 to 4 weeks early on, spacing out once you are stable on a treatment plan. Prescriptions are sent electronically to your pharmacy.
Read more: ADHD evaluation and treatment at Alice Tran Psychiatric Care →
The initial evaluation is 60 minutes. Most patients leave that visit with a diagnosis and a plan. If additional information is needed, a second visit may be scheduled, but this is uncommon for straightforward adult ADHD presentations.
Your completed intake forms (sent by email before the visit), a list of any current medications and supplements, and any prior diagnoses or records if you have them. Old records are helpful but not required.
Yes, for in-network plans. Alice is in-network with Aetna, Medicaid, Medicare, Carelon, and Anthem BCBS Virginia. Self-pay rate for the initial evaluation is $400. See full rates →
The first visit focuses on gathering your history and reviewing your intake forms and questionnaires. Before stimulant medications can be prescribed, all patients are required to complete a urine drug screen, and some cases also require lab work or an EKG. A prescription can only be initiated once those steps are complete and reviewed. This means medication typically begins at a follow-up visit rather than the first appointment.
Telehealth across Virginia · No referral needed · Most insurance accepted