ADHD Testing & Evaluations in Portland, Oregon and Washington State
Understanding Your Neurodivergent Mind Through Comprehensive ADHD Assessment
If you're reading this, you've probably been wondering about ADHD for a while now. Maybe you've watched your child navigate their own ADHD diagnosis and thought, "Wait, that sounds familiar." Or perhaps perimenopause has turned your previously manageable quirks into overwhelming challenges that have you questioning everything you thought you knew about yourself.
I get it. I've been there myself, and I've guided countless women through this exact journey of discovery.
As a neurodivergent psychologist specializing in ADHD testing and evaluations, I offer comprehensive assessments designed specifically for women who've spent decades masking, compensating, and wondering why everything feels so much harder than it should. My online practice serves clients throughout Oregon and Washington State, providing accessible, affirming evaluations that honor your lived experience while offering the clarity you're seeking.
Why ADHD Testing Matters for Women in Midlife
The traditional understanding of ADHD was built on studies of hyperactive boys. We now know that ADHD presents differently in women, especially those who've developed sophisticated masking strategies over the years. You might have been the straight-A student who stayed up until 3 AM to finish assignments. The professional who arrives early to meetings because you're terrified of being late. The parent who maintains elaborate organizational systems that feel like they might collapse at any moment.
These compensatory strategies often work—until they don't. Major life transitions like motherhood, career changes, or hormonal shifts during perimenopause can overwhelm our carefully constructed coping mechanisms. Suddenly, the executive dysfunction becomes impossible to ignore.
My ADHD evaluations recognize these nuanced presentations. I understand that your ADHD might look like:
Chronic overwhelm despite being highly capable
Time blindness that coexists with obsessive punctuality
Hyperfocus on work projects while household tasks pile up
Emotional dysregulation that intensifies during hormonal changes
Decision paralysis about everything from dinner choices to career moves
Sensory sensitivities that you've learned to hide or push through
Rejection sensitive dysphoria that drives perfectionism and people-pleasing
My Comprehensive ADHD Evaluation Process
I approach ADHD testing as a collaborative exploration rather than a diagnostic checklist. My evaluations integrate multiple assessment tools and methodologies to create a complete picture of your neurocognitive profile.
Initial Consultation
Every evaluation journey begins with a free 15-minute consultation. This conversation helps us determine if my assessment approach aligns with your needs and goals. We'll discuss what's bringing you to seek evaluation now, what you hope to learn, and how the process works.
Clinical Interview and History
The foundation of my ADHD evaluation is an in-depth clinical interview. We'll explore your developmental history, educational experiences, work patterns, relationships, and current challenges. I'm particularly interested in understanding how you've adapted and compensated throughout your life.
For women who've excelled academically or professionally, I dig deeper to understand the hidden costs of that success. What did it take to maintain those grades? How many all-nighters, anxiety spirals, or burnout cycles did it require? Your struggles are valid even if you've achieved conventional success.
Standardized Assessment Tools
I utilize evidence-based assessment instruments specifically validated for adult ADHD. These tools help identify patterns of attention, executive function, and emotional regulation. However, I interpret these measures through a neurodiversity-affirming lens, recognizing that standardized tests often fail to capture the full complexity of how ADHD manifests in highly intelligent, masking adults.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Executive Function
Executive function challenges are often the most disruptive aspect of ADHD for the women I work with. My evaluation thoroughly assesses:
Working memory and information processing
Task initiation and completion patterns
Organization and time management strategies
Cognitive flexibility and adaptation to change
Emotional regulation and stress response
Planning and prioritization abilities
Differential Diagnosis Considerations
Many conditions can mimic or co-occur with ADHD, particularly in neurodivergent women. My evaluation carefully considers how autism, anxiety, trauma, and OCD might interact with or present similarly to ADHD symptoms. This is especially important for those who are AuDHD (autistic and ADHD), as the intersection creates unique cognitive profiles that require nuanced understanding.
Integration and Feedback
Following the evaluation, I provide a comprehensive feedback session where we review findings together. Rather than simply delivering a diagnosis, I help you understand your specific ADHD presentation, including your strengths and challenge areas. We'll discuss how ADHD intersects with your other identities and experiences, whether that's autism, queerness, parenthood, or professional life.
Beyond Diagnosis: Understanding Your Neurodivergent Identity
An ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, particularly for women who've been high achievers, can bring up complex emotions. Relief at finally having an explanation. Grief for the younger self who struggled without support. Anger at systems that missed or dismissed your neurodivergence. Excitement about understanding yourself better. Uncertainty about what comes next.
I hold space for all of these reactions. My evaluation process isn't just about determining whether you meet diagnostic criteria—it's about helping you understand your brain and develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
Who My ADHD Evaluations Serve Best
My assessment approach is particularly well-suited for:
Women who've recently recognized their neurodivergence, often after their child's diagnosis
Perimenopausal and menopausal women experiencing intensified executive dysfunction
High-achieving professionals wondering why success feels so exhausting
Parents struggling to balance family needs with their own neurodivergent traits
LGBTQ+ individuals seeking affirming, culturally competent evaluation
Those who suspect they might be AuDHD and need comprehensive assessment
Women who've been in therapy but feel something important has been missed
The Power of Accurate Diagnosis
Receiving an accurate ADHD diagnosis as an adult woman can be transformative. It recontextualizes a lifetime of struggles, validates your experiences, and opens doors to appropriate support and accommodations. Many of my clients describe their diagnosis as the missing piece that finally makes their life story make sense.
Understanding your ADHD also allows you to:
Develop strategies that work with your brain rather than against it
Advocate for accommodations in work and educational settings
Make informed decisions about treatment and support options
Release shame about struggles that were never personal failings
Connect with community and resources for neurodivergent adults
Rebuild your relationship with yourself based on understanding rather than judgment
Virtual Evaluations for Accessibility
I conduct all ADHD evaluations through secure online sessions, making comprehensive assessment accessible regardless of your location in Oregon or Washington State. Virtual evaluation eliminates the stress of commuting, finding parking, or navigating new environments—barriers that can be particularly challenging when you're already dealing with ADHD symptoms.
Online assessment also allows you to be evaluated in your own environment, which often provides more accurate insight into your daily functioning than a clinical office setting would.
Taking the Next Step
Seeking ADHD evaluation as an adult woman requires courage. You're challenging decades of masking, questioning narratives about who you're supposed to be, and opening yourself to new understanding. That's powerful work.
If you're ready to explore whether ADHD might be part of your neurodivergent profile, I invite you to reach out. We'll start with a free consultation to discuss your specific situation and determine if my evaluation approach aligns with your needs.
Remember, there's no "right" amount of struggle that justifies seeking evaluation. If ADHD symptoms are impacting your life—whether that's through obvious challenges or the exhausting effort of constant compensation—you deserve answers and support.
Your brain isn't broken. You're not lazy. You might just be neurodivergent in a world that wasn't designed for minds like ours. Together, we can uncover the truth about your neurotype and help you build a life that honors who you really are.
Ready to understand your ADHD? Contact me today to schedule your free 15-minute consultation and take the first step toward clarity and self-understanding.