CONDITIONS WE TREAT · TELEPSYCHIATRY ACROSS CALIFORNIA
ADHD treatment for adolescents and adults
Focused, evidence-based ADHD care delivered entirely online with thorough evaluation, thoughtful medication management, and progress you can actually see measured over time.
Telehealth
Board-certified clinicians
Measurement-based
THE SHORT VERSION
We provide online ADHD evaluation and treatment for teens and adults across California. Care is led by board-certified psychiatric clinicians and combines an accurate diagnosis, individualized medication management when appropriate, and standardized rating scales at follow-up so you and your clinician can track whether treatment is truly working.
THE CONDITION
What ADHD actually is
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by ongoing patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that get in the way of daily life. It is common, affecting roughly 5–7% of children and about 2.5% of adults. It is one of the most treatable conditions in psychiatry.​
​ADHD shows up in three recognized patterns: mainly inattentive, mainly hyperactive-impulsive, or a combination of both. Many adults, especially those who were quietly inattentive rather than visibly restless as kids, reach adulthood without ever being diagnosed.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Signs and symptoms
ADHD looks different from person to person, and it changes with age. In teens and adults, hyperactivity often shifts from obvious physical restlessness to an internal sense of being "always on" or unable to slow down.
Inattentive Signs
Trouble sustaining focus on tasks or reading.
Easily distracted; losing your train of thought.
Difficulty organizing tasks and managing time.
Frequently misplacing things.
Avoiding tasks that need sustained mental effort.
Careless mistakes at work or school.
Forgetting appointments, deadlines, follow-through.
Appearing not to listen in conversation.
Hyperactive/impulsive Signs
Restlessness or an inner feeling of being driven.
Difficulty relaxing or doing quiet activities.
Talking excessively; interrupting.
Acting or spending impulsively.
Impatience; difficulty waiting your turn.
Blurting out answers or decisions.
Everyone has some of these moments. ADHD is considered when the pattern is persistent, shows up in more than one setting (such as both home and work or school), and meaningfully interferes with your functioning.
GETTING IT RIGHT
How we diagnose ADHD
Diagnosis is clinical. It comes from a careful conversation and history, not a single test. During your evaluation, your clinician reviews your current symptoms, how far back they go, how they affect different parts of your life, and your medical and family history.
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A formal diagnosis follows established criteria: a sufficient number of symptoms (six or more, or five or more for people 17 and older), present for at least six months, with some symptoms tracing back to before age 12, appearing in more than one setting, and causing real impairment.
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We also screen for the conditions that frequently travel with ADHD like anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and others occur in a large share of people with ADHD, because treating ADHD well often means treating the whole picture.
Do I need neuropsychological testing first?
Usually not. Extensive neuropsychological testing does not improve diagnostic accuracy for typical ADHD, so it isn't required to begin care. When there's a specific reason to look closer, for example, a complex learning question, we'll discuss whether additional testing adds value in your diagnosis.
THE PLAN
How we treat ADHD
Effective ADHD care is individualized and usually combines medication with practical strategies. Our job is to find the approach that gives you the most benefit with the fewest trade-offs, and then to keep checking that it's working.
Medication Management
Medication is the most effective treatment for ADHD symptoms, and for many teens and adults it's the foundation of a plan. There are two broad categories:
Stimulants (methylphenidate- and amphetamine-based) are the most effective, but carry risks and side effects.
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Non-stimulants — such as atomoxetine and certain long-acting options like guanfacine, are good alternatives when stimulants aren't a fit, aren't tolerated, or aren't preferred.
Finding the right medication and dose is a process of careful titration. We start thoughtfully, review how you're responding, and adjust. Common, usually manageable stimulant effects can include reduced appetite and changes in sleep, which we monitor deliberately rather than leaving to chance.
Therapy and skills
Medication addresses the core symptoms; skills-based support addresses the day-to-day. Organizational and executive-function coaching, cognitive behavioral strategies, and for adolescents, parent-guided approaches all have strong evidence and pair well with medication for outcomes like school, work, and relationships.
Lifestyle that supports attention
Regular physical exercise has emerging evidence as a helpful add-on for attention and impulse control, alongside consistent sleep and structure. These don't replace treatment, but they meaningfully support it.
Measurement-based care: seeing what's working
What sets our approach apart is that we don't rely on impressions alone. At follow-up we use validated ADHD rating scales to quantify your symptoms over time, so improvement (or the need to adjust) is visible in the data. It's not just a "how are you feeling?" Your progress is tracked, reviewed with you, and used to guide every change to your plan.
THE WHOLE PICTURE
ADHD rarely travels alone
Because anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties so often accompany ADHD, treating them together matters. As a psychiatric practice, we're able to evaluate and manage co-occurring conditions in the same place, rather than treating ADHD in isolation and leaving the rest to chance. Getting the sequence and combination right is often what turns a partial response into a real one.
YOUR JOURNEY
What to expect
1
Comprehensive evaluation
Your first appointment is an unrushed video visit focused on understanding your history, symptoms, and goals, and arriving at an accurate diagnosis.
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A plan built around you
Together we decide on a treatment plan, which may include medication, therapy or skills work, and lifestyle support, tailored to your life and preferences.
3
Follow-up
We meet regularly to review your rating-scale results, adjust as needed, and make sure you're getting where you want to go. Everything happens securely online, from anywhere in California.
GOOD TO KNOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be evaluated and diagnosed with ADHD online in California? Yes. NeuroWell provides ADHD evaluation and diagnosis by video for adolescents and adults located anywhere in California. Because ADHD is diagnosed through clinical history and standardized criteria rather than an in-person physical test, a thorough evaluation can be completed via telehealth.
Can a psychiatrist prescribe ADHD medication through telehealth? When it's clinically appropriate, our clinicians can prescribe ADHD medications, including both non-stimulant and stimulant options, as part of your treatment plan. Stimulants are controlled medications, so their prescribing follows current federal and California telehealth requirements. We'll walk you through exactly how this works for your situation during your evaluation, including any specific steps that may apply.
How long does it take to find the right medication? It varies. Finding the best medication and dose is a step-by-step process of starting, observing your response, and adjusting. Some people feel a clear benefit early; for others it takes a few adjustments. Our measurement-based follow-up helps us make those decisions with real data rather than guesswork.
What's the difference between seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist for ADHD? Psychiatric clinicians can diagnose ADHD and prescribe and manage medication, and also coordinate care for co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression. Therapists provide skills, coaching, and behavioral strategies. For ADHD, the two often work best together, which is why we address both.
Do you take insurance for ADHD treatment? You can find current details on our Insurance & Pricing page. If you have a question about a specific plan, reach out and we'll help you understand your options before you book.