Adult ADHD Assessment in Kathmandu: What Happens Session by Session

If you have spent years wondering whether your procrastination, emotional flooding, or chronic lateness point to ADHD — not laziness — an adult assessment in Kathmandu can finally give you a clear picture. The process is structured, collaborative, and designed to understand your whole life story, not just a checklist of symptoms.

This guide walks through what happens session by session at Bhatta Psychotherapy — from first contact to feedback and treatment planning. For fee information, contact the clinic directly; we confirm costs before your first appointment.

Before your first session

Assessment begins before you sit in the room. You may receive forms about childhood history, current symptoms, sleep, mood, and daily functioning. Some clients ask a parent, sibling, or partner to complete a collateral report — childhood ADHD is often visible to others before the person notices it themselves.

• Brief intake questionnaire — focus, impulsivity, emotional regulation, work or study impact
• Optional school report cards or old feedback from teachers if available
• List of current medications, sleep patterns, and major life stressors
• Questions about anxiety, depression, trauma, or substance use — these can mimic or overlap ADHD
• Confirmation of session fees and scheduling — contact the clinic for current rates

Also read: ADHD assessment cost in Kathmandu — what affects fees →

Session 1: Clinical interview and rapport

The first session is usually 50–90 minutes. A psychologist at Bhatta Psychotherapy will explore why you sought assessment now — often burnout, relationship conflict, job loss, or a child’s diagnosis that made you recognize yourself. This is not an interrogation; it is a conversation to build an accurate picture.

• Presenting concerns — what is not working in daily life
• Childhood history — teachers’ comments, report cards, family stories of “daydreaming” or hyperactivity
• Developmental timeline — when symptoms first caused real difficulty
• Medical and mental health history — thyroid, sleep apnea, anxiety, depression, trauma
• Family context — genetics, parenting style, cultural expectations about achievement
• Functional impact today — work, marriage, parenting, finances, self-esteem

Session 2: Standardized rating scales and deeper history

Many assessments include a second session for rating scales and follow-up questions. You may complete validated ADHD screeners (self-report and sometimes observer forms). The psychologist reviews patterns across settings — not just “bad at office work” but childhood, relationships, and hobbies too.

• ADHD rating scales — inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, executive function
• Emotional dysregulation and rejection sensitivity — common in adult ADHD
• Rule-out review — bipolar mood swings, PTSD hypervigilance, anxiety rumination, thyroid or sleep disorders
• Women and high achievers — compensation strategies that hide ADHD until midlife burnout
• Collateral input when possible — partner or parent perspective on childhood behaviour

Also read: Adult ADHD in Nepal — symptoms, assessment, and treatment overview →

Session 3 (when needed): Integration and feedback

Not every client needs three sessions — simpler cases may conclude in two. When history is complex (trauma, mood instability, prior misdiagnosis), a third session allows careful integration before any conclusion is shared.

• Summary of findings in plain language — what fits ADHD, what does not, what remains unclear
• Written summary or letter when appropriate — for workplace, university, or psychiatrist referral
• Discussion of medication — psychologists do not prescribe; referral to a psychiatrist when stimulants or other medication may help
• Treatment plan — skills-based therapy, coaching, couples work if executive dysfunction affects marriage
• Realistic expectations — diagnosis is a starting point, not a cure; skills and support matter long-term

What assessment is not

• A five-minute checklist or single yes/no test
• A guarantee of medication — that requires separate psychiatric evaluation
• Formal neuropsychological testing at a hospital — available in some centres but not always required for adult ADHD
• A label to excuse harmful behaviour — understanding ADHD includes accountability and change
• Something you must accept — you can ask questions, seek a second opinion, or decline treatment

After assessment — typical next steps

Many clients continue with the same psychologist for ADHD-informed therapy — executive function skills, shame work, rejection sensitivity, and relationship repair. Others combine therapy with psychiatrist-led medication trials. Some start with skills only and revisit medication later.

• Weekly or fortnightly therapy — structure, accountability, emotional regulation
• ADHD coaching — calendars, task initiation, environment design
• Couples sessions when forgetfulness, lateness, or emotional flooding affects marriage
• Psychiatrist referral when medication is discussed — separate appointment and fees
• Online follow-up for clients abroad or outside Kathmandu

Also read: Psychiatrist vs psychologist in Nepal — who does what →

Also read: Why adult ADHD can feel like you are failing at life →

Assessment at Bhatta Psychotherapy

Mr. Damber Raj Bhatta and our team of psychologists offer adult ADHD assessment in Kathmandu and via secure video. Sessions are available in English, Nepali, and Hindi. We confirm all fees at booking — contact the clinic before your first appointment.