Assessment
Assessment for ADHD can take various different forms
While some people benefit from full neuropsychological testing, research has found that a thorough diagnostic interview and behavioral observations are more appropriate and cost-effective for diagnosing ADHD.
An ADHD assessment starts with the initial session where we have an in-depth discussion about your life history, your symptoms and challenges, your strengths and interests, what you might need at this juncture, and what you hope to experience moving forward. You might also be asked to complete behavioral rating scales, which are assessment forms where you rate the frequency or intensity of certain behaviors or symptoms.
Lastly, and only if you feel comfortable with it and sign a release form, we will ask someone who knows you well (parent, spouse, roommate) about your strengths and challenges to get another perspective. A feedback session is then scheduled, the assessment findings are discussed, and a treatment plan is made. If we feel that you would benefit from further diagnostic services to get a clearer picture of your brain profile, we will provide you with recommendations to clinicians who conduct full psychological and/or neuropsychological evaluation.
Therapy
Manage Your ADHD
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Our Approach
Life is simply more stressful with ADHD, and Dr. Frank “gets it!” People with ADHD often say that the hardest part of ADHD isn’t what other people can see on the outside, but how they experience their challenges on the inside and how those challenges impact their sense of self and relationships.
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What Is ADHD?
ADHD is a chronic, brain-based difference that impacts most areas of life – from academics and work performance to finances and physical health to relationships and self-talk. It even impacts driving, weight management, and sleep! So, therapy for ADHD is about ADHD, but it’s also about a lot more. Therapy is about learning how to live with integrity, clarity, authenticity, and intention in the context of having a chronic invisible difference.
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Our Approach
As a specialist in ADHD, Dr. Michelle Frank uses an integrated, science-based and ADHD-friendly approach, to help her clients live well with ADHD – and without shame! Sessions tend to blend concrete ADHD strategizing with more in-depth and personal processing of the experience of living with an invisible difference.
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Our Team
Colleen Ryan, LSW has practiced with the consultation of Dr. Frank for over two years and enjoys working with individuals and partnerships where one or more people have ADHD. Ms. Ryan incorporates her knowledge of ADHD with her interests in sexual health to facilitate vibrant sex lives in neurodivergent people.
Since ADHD doesn’t happen in a vacuum, Michelle Frank, PsyD, and Colleen Ryan, LSW work with individuals, couples, partnerships, and parents to help everyone within a family or system learn to thrive and connect more fully.
