Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers about assessments, appointments, costs, and care.

Our Services

  • Cognition Care provides specialist assessment, diagnosis and ongoing support for:

    • ADHD
    • Autism
    • ADHD medication management and titration
    • Post-diagnostic support, including ADHD coaching

  • We assess children and young people (aged 6–17), as well as adults, who may be experiencing symptoms of ADHD or autism.

    Assessments for children and young people are carried out by clinicians with experience working in NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

    You can learn more about the assessment process on our ADHD Assessment - What to Expect and Autism Assessment – What to Expect pages.

  • In some cases, it may be appropriate to assess for both ADHD and autism.

    Where symptoms overlap, our clinicians may recommend a combined assessment. This will be discussed during the initial screening and booking process to ensure you are booked into the most appropriate assessment.

  • Before your appointment, you will be asked to complete a set of pre-assessment questionnaires and forms. These help your clinician understand your background, medical history, and current experiences.

    Your clinician will review this information before the appointment so the assessment can focus on discussing your experiences in more detail.

    You can learn more about the assessment process on our ADHD Assessment - What to Expect and Autism Assessment - What to Expect pages.

  • Assessment appointments typically last between 60 and 120 minutes, depending on the type of assessment and the information available.

    Pre-assessment questionnaires are reviewed in advance so the appointment can focus on discussing your experiences in detail.

  • After the assessment, your clinician will discuss the outcome with you and explain whether the findings meet the criteria for a diagnosis.

    You will receive a comprehensive written report, usually within 10 working days, which includes a summary of the assessment, the clinician’s conclusions, and any recommendations for next steps or support.

    If appropriate, we will also discuss possible treatment or support options, including medication or post-diagnostic support.

Appointments & Accessibility

  • No. Most patients self-refer and book their assessment directly through our website.

    If you have been referred by a GP, school, university, or another professional, you are also welcome to book an appointment with us.

  • Cognition Care is a Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered healthcare provider based in England, with its registered office in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

    Appointments are delivered via secure video consultation. Our services are currently available to patients living in England, who must also be located in England at the time of their appointment.

  • All appointments are currently delivered remotely via secure video consultation or telephone.

    We may introduce in-person appointment locations in the future, but our services are currently delivered remotely

  • Yes. We aim to make our services accessible and supportive for neurodivergent individuals.

    If you require reasonable adjustments for your appointment - such as communication preferences, clear written information, or additional support during the consultation - please let us know in advance and we will work with you to support your needs where possible.

    If there is anything that would help make the appointment more comfortable for you, please let us know when booking.

  • If you experience any difficulty joining your video consultation, please contact our team as soon as possible and we will help you connect.

    If a technical issue prevents the appointment from taking place, we will work with you to rearrange the appointment as soon as possible.

  • We understand that sometimes plans change.

    For assessment appointments (ADHD, Autism, or General Psychiatry), we ask for at least 7 days’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule.

    For follow-up appointments and ADHD coaching sessions, we ask for at least 48 hours’ notice.

    Appointments cancelled with less than the required notice, or missed appointments (Did Not Attend / DNA), may be charged at the full appointment fee.

    If sufficient notice is given, we will happily reschedule your appointment at no additional cost.

    You can read our full Cancellation Policy in our Patient Terms & Conditions.

Fees, Payments & Finance

  • Fees vary depending on the type of appointment or service. A full breakdown of current fees is available on our Services page.

  • Follow-up appointment fees vary depending on the type of review and the clinician involved. Fees for follow-up sessions typically start from £140.

    You can view a full breakdown of appointment fees on our Services & Fees page.

  • No. Assessment fees cover the clinical consultation and diagnostic assessment only.

    If medication is recommended, prescription and medication costs are separate and are paid directly to the dispensing pharmacy. Your clinician will discuss treatment options with you during the appointment so you can decide whether medication is right for you.

  • Yes. Appointments are typically paid for at the time of booking to secure your appointment slot.

    If you are considering finance options, these should be arranged before confirming your booking.

  • Refunds are not usually provided for appointments that have already taken place or where the required notice period for cancellation has not been met.

    In certain circumstances, such as administrative errors or exceptional situations, refunds may be considered at the discretion of the clinic.

    Full details are outlined in our Patient Terms & Conditions.

  • Cognition Care does not currently bill private health insurers directly.

    Some insurers may reimburse patients for private psychiatric or coaching services. If you plan to claim through your insurer, please check with your provider in advance. We can provide invoices or reports to support reimbursement claims.

  • Yes. We offer flexible payment options, including Klarna and Humm Finance, which may allow you to spread the cost of treatment over a series of instalments.

    Finance applications are made directly with the provider and are subject to their eligibility checks and terms. If approved, the finance agreement will be with the provider rather than Cognition Care.

  • Eligibility is determined by Humm Finance during the application process. Applicants will typically need to:

    • Be a UK resident
    • Be over 18 years old
    • Meet the provider’s credit and affordability checks

    All finance applications are made directly with Humm and are subject to their approval process and terms.

Our Clinical Team & Professional Standards

  • Yes. Cognition Care Ltd is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide regulated healthcare services in England.

    You can view our official CQC provider profile here.

    Provider ID: 1-23969616685

    CQC registration confirms that Cognition Care meets the regulatory requirements to deliver safe and effective healthcare services.

  • No. Cognition Care is an independent private healthcare provider. Our services are accessed privately and appointments are self-funded.

  • Depending on your needs and the stage of your care, you may be supported by:

    Consultant Psychiatrists – diagnostic assessments, clinical oversight, and medical treatment where appropriate

    Clinical Psychologists – specialist psychological assessment, including autism assessments

    Independent Prescribers – ADHD medication prescribing and medication reviews

    Specialist Nurses – medication monitoring, titration follow-up, and care coordination

    ADHD Coaches – structured support to help develop practical strategies for organisation, focus, and daily functioning

  • Yes. Our assessment and treatment pathways are informed by relevant NICE guidelines for ADHD and autism, which underpin recognised clinical practice within healthcare services in England.

Reports & Aftercare

  • Yes. After your assessment, you will receive a comprehensive written report summarising the assessment process, the clinician’s findings, and the outcome of the assessment.

    Reports are typically provided within 10 working days and can be shared with your GP or other relevant professionals with your consent.

  • Our diagnostic reports are completed by qualified clinicians and follow recognised clinical guidelines.

    Many patients use their reports to support discussions with NHS services, universities, workplaces, or schools. However, acceptance of private diagnostic reports can vary between organisations and is ultimately at their discretion.

    If you choose, we can share your report with your GP to support ongoing care. Any decisions about NHS treatment or shared care arrangements are made by the individual GP practice.

    However, acceptance of private diagnostic reports can vary between organisations and is ultimately at the discretion of the individual service or institution.

  • If the assessment findings do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis, your clinician will explain the reasons and discuss appropriate next steps with you.

    Where helpful, this may include recommendations for other forms of support, alternative explanations for your symptoms, or signposting to relevant services.

    You will still receive a written report summarising the assessment and the clinician’s conclusions.

  • Yes. Follow-up appointments can be arranged if you would like further support after your assessment.

    This may include reviewing treatment options, discussing next steps, or accessing ongoing support where appropriate.

  • Yes. Your information is handled in line with UK data protection laws and medical confidentiality standards.

    Cognition Care uses secure, GDPR-compliant systems to store and manage patient information. We will only share your information with other professionals (such as your GP) with your consent, unless there is a legal or safeguarding reason to do so.

Medication & Treatment

  • Yes. Where clinically appropriate, our clinicians can initiate and manage ADHD medication as part of a structured treatment plan. This includes medication titration, monitoring, and follow-up reviews.

    Medication is not required for everyone and will only be recommended where clinically appropriate.

  • No. Medication is not required for everyone with ADHD, and it will only be recommended where clinically appropriate.

    If ADHD is diagnosed, your clinician will discuss possible treatment options with you. This may include medication, psychological support, coaching, or lifestyle strategies depending on your needs and preferences.

    Any decision about medication is made collaboratively between you and your clinician.

  • Titration is the process of gradually adjusting ADHD medication to find the most effective dose while monitoring benefits and any side effects.

    During titration, your clinician will review your progress regularly and adjust the medication dose where needed to ensure it is both effective and well tolerated.

    You can read more about how titration works on our ADHD Medication Titration page.

  • ADHD medication titration usually takes several weeks, as the dose is gradually adjusted to find the most effective and well-tolerated option. The exact duration varies between individuals, but many patients reach a stable dose within 8–12 weeks.

    Once medication and dosage are stable, shared care with your GP may be discussed where appropriate.

  • ADHD prescriptions at Cognition Care are issued electronically using SignatureRx. Prescriptions are sent directly to our dispensing partner, Signature Pharmacy, who will arrange payment and home delivery.

    Once approved, Signature Pharmacy will contact you with a secure payment link. After payment is received, medication is usually delivered via tracked UK delivery within 2–4 working days.

    Please note:

    • Payments are made directly to Signature Pharmacy

    • Medication prices are set by the pharmacy and may vary

    • Cognition Care is not responsible for pharmacy pricing or delivery times

  • Medication is supplied by Signature Pharmacy and paid for directly by the patient.

    The cost of ADHD medication varies depending on the medication prescribed and the dose required. Most patients can expect medication costs to be approximately £60–£150 per month during treatment.

    Medication prices are set by the pharmacy and may vary. Cognition Care does not control medication pricing.

  • Shared care may be possible with your GP once your medication and dose are stable following titration.

    However, shared care agreements are entirely at the discretion of your GP practice, and not all practices are able to accept shared care arrangements with private providers.

    If your GP agrees to shared care, they may take over prescribing your medication under a formal shared care agreement. If shared care is not accepted, prescriptions can continue to be issued privately through Cognition Care.

  • Yes. Medication is not required for everyone with ADHD, and some individuals benefit from additional non-medical support. Support options may also be discussed following an autism diagnosis.

    Depending on individual needs, options may include:

    ADHD coaching – structured support to help develop practical strategies for organisation, focus, routines, and daily functioning. You can read more on our ADHD Coaching page.

    Post-diagnostic guidance – helping individuals understand their diagnosis and identify helpful strategies at home, work, or education

    Psychological therapy referrals – such as CBT or other evidence-based psychological support where appropriate

Still Have Questions?