ADHD Evaluation & Therapy in St. Petersburg, FL

Clinically reviewed by Geoffrey Peal, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist  |  Last updated June 2026  |  Family Psychology Associates has served Tampa Bay since 1992.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common and most misunderstood conditions in mental health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that roughly 7 million U.S. children and more than 8 million adults have been diagnosed with ADHD, and treatment rates vary widely by age, sex, and race. The public conversation often fixates on whether ADHD is overdiagnosed. The clinical reality we see is that many people, especially girls, women, and adults, are still underdiagnosed, and many of those who have been diagnosed have never received the comprehensive treatment the condition actually calls for.

FPA has been a leader in ADHD assessment and treatment in Tampa Bay for decades. Our model is comprehensive: we test thoroughly, we look for what else may be going on, we build a concrete plan, and we stay engaged as your care coordinator across the different providers your treatment may involve.

What ADHD Actually Looks Like

ADHD is best understood as an information-processing difference that affects attention, working memory, impulse control, emotional regulation, and executive function. It is not a willpower problem and it is not a parenting failure. The textbook version of the hyperactive, distracted third-grade boy is only one presentation, and it leaves out the larger and less visible portion of the ADHD population.

We see adults who spent thirty years running on caffeine, adrenaline, and overpreparation, and who are seeking evaluation only after a child of theirs was diagnosed. We see bright, organized women who scored well in school through sheer effort and whose ADHD was never flagged. We see couples whose marital distress is driven largely by one partner’s undiagnosed ADHD affecting follow-through, emotional reactivity, and shared logistics. We see college students whose grades fall apart the moment the external scaffolding of high school disappears. Each of these deserves a careful evaluation rather than a quick label.

What We See in Our ADHD Caseload

Three patterns stand out right now. Adults in their 30s, 40s, and 50s arriving for evaluation, often after years of being treated for anxiety or depression that never fully responded because the underlying ADHD was never addressed. Women and girls presenting with the inattentive pattern, who were never flagged in school because they were quiet rather than disruptive, and who have spent their lives overcompensating. And teens and young adults whose ADHD has remained stable but whose coping strategies no longer scale to the demands of high school, college, or early work life.

We also see a steady stream of ADHD presentations with significant co-occurring conditions. Our testing batteries are built to look for the common travelers, including learning disabilities, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, tic disorders, autism spectrum conditions, and sleep disorders. It is rare for ADHD to arrive alone, and the co-occurring picture often changes what treatment should look like. We also rule out the conditions that mimic ADHD, including thyroid dysfunction, sleep apnea, and significant untreated anxiety, so the diagnosis we land on actually fits.

A population that is often under-served in our field is adolescents and young adults transitioning out of structured school environments. High school accommodations do not automatically transfer. We work with families on the logistics of transitioning to college accommodations, on the self-advocacy skills that replace parental scaffolding, and on the shift from parent-managed to self-managed medication and appointment-keeping.

How We Assess and Treat ADHD at FPA

Our evaluations are comprehensive rather than checklist-based. Depending on the presenting question, an ADHD assessment at FPA typically includes a detailed clinical interview, collateral information from parents or a partner where appropriate, standardized behavioral rating scales, and direct cognitive and attentional testing. When the question is whether ADHD co-exists with a learning disability, we add academic achievement testing. We issue a written report and meet with you to walk through the findings and recommendations.

Treatment at FPA is not a single protocol. It depends on age, presentation, and what the evaluation turned up. Approaches we commonly use include:

• Psychoeducation. Understanding your own ADHD profile is the first intervention. Many clients report that reading their own evaluation is the first time they have ever had a framework for experiences that have confused them for years.
• Behavioral parent training. The best-supported treatment for ADHD in young children. Focuses on how parents can structure the environment, set clear expectations, and reinforce what is working.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ADHD. An adult-focused CBT protocol that targets the self-critical thinking patterns, avoidance, and organization issues that accompany adult ADHD.
• Couples work. When ADHD is a major factor in relationship distress, we can bring the partner into the work to address the specific patterns that are causing friction.
• Accommodation advocacy. We support the development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans for school-age clients. Our psychologists are experienced in documenting the need for accommodations on standardized testing, including the SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, and Bar Exam.
• Medication coordination. We do not prescribe, but we coordinate closely with the prescriber, which is one of the most important aspects of comprehensive ADHD care.

Clinicians Who Specialize in ADHD

Ambreen Shahabuddin, Ph.D., BCBA-DMichael T. Smith, Ph.D.Geoffrey Peal, Psy.D.Benjamin Snyder, Ph.D.Peter Downes, LCSWLester Weiss, LCSW

ADHD evaluation and testing at FPA is conducted by Ambreen Shahabuddin, Ph.D., BCBA-D, a licensed psychologist and doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst who completed her internship and postdoctoral training at Emory University and Stanford University, with professional experience at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins Medicine. Dr. Shahabuddin evaluates children, adolescents, and adults, including comprehensive evaluations for ADHD, learning differences, and giftedness. Testing is provided on a fee-for-service basis outside of insurance; we provide superbills for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and a specific fee is quoted at intake.

For ADHD therapy and ongoing support, clinicians with particular depth include Michael T. Smith, Ph.D., Geoffrey Peal, Psy.D., Benjamin Snyder, Ph.D., Peter Downes, LCSW, and Lester Weiss, LCSW. Several other clinicians work with ADHD as part of a broader caseload, particularly when it co-occurs with anxiety, mood disorders, or relationship stress. Our intake team matches you to the clinician whose training and availability fit your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions About ADHD Assessment and Treatment

How is ADHD diagnosed?

A proper ADHD diagnosis requires more than a symptom checklist. It involves a detailed clinical interview, a developmental history, collateral information from family or teachers when relevant, and standardized rating scales. In many cases, direct cognitive and attentional testing adds important information, particularly when distinguishing ADHD from anxiety or a learning disability.

Do you do ADHD testing for adults?

Yes. Adult ADHD testing is one of our most frequent referral questions. The assessment is similar to a child evaluation in structure, adapted to adult work, academic, and relationship demands.

How long does ADHD testing take?

Most ADHD evaluations involve an initial intake interview followed by one or two testing sessions, depending on age and the questions being asked. A feedback conference is typically scheduled about two weeks after the last test session, with the formal written report following within three to four weeks.

How much does ADHD testing cost?

There is no single price because there is no single ADHD evaluation. The right battery depends on what the testing needs to accomplish: documentation for extended time on the SAT or ACT requires a different scope than a referral to psychiatry for medication, a 504 Plan or IEP for school accommodations, or workplace accommodations for an adult. Some situations also call for ruling out learning disabilities or other co-occurring conditions, which extends the battery. Testing is billed on a fee-for-service basis rather than through insurance, and we provide superbills for possible out-of-network reimbursement. During your intake we determine exactly what your situation requires and quote a specific fee before any testing begins, so you are never paying for components you do not need.

Do I need testing, or can I just start therapy?

It depends. If the question is whether you have ADHD, whether it is ADHD versus something else, or whether you need testing documentation for accommodations, a formal evaluation is warranted. If you already have a clear diagnosis and want to work on the practical impact on your life, starting with therapy is reasonable.

Can you help with school accommodations?

Yes. Our assessments provide the documentation schools need for 504 Plans and IEPs, and our clinicians are experienced in advocating for specific accommodations based on each client’s profile.

My child has been told they “just need to try harder.” What now?

That framing almost always misses the point. ADHD is not a motivation problem. Most children with ADHD are trying harder than their peers every day and getting less result. A careful evaluation and a plan built from that evaluation is the path forward.

Do you prescribe medication?

No. We are a psychology practice. We coordinate closely with psychiatrists, pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, and primary care physicians who handle the medication side of ADHD treatment, and we participate in the care team as an ongoing coordinator.

Do you offer telehealth for ADHD?

Some components of ADHD work, including CBT for adult ADHD, work well by telehealth. Comprehensive testing is generally done in person because it requires controlled conditions and specific materials.

Related Services at FPA

ADHD often travels with other concerns. You may also want to look at our pages on psychological testing, learning disabilities, anxiety disorders, depression, autism spectrum disorders, teen therapy, and young adult therapy.

Where We See Clients

Family Psychology Associates provides ADHD assessment and treatment at our offices in St. Petersburg, Safety Harbor, and Trinity. Testing is conducted in-office; therapy is available in-office and by telehealth throughout Florida. We work with clients from early childhood through adulthood. To request an appointment, visit our Contact Us page.

Our Clinical Standards

Every clinician at Family Psychology Associates holds a current Florida state license as a licensed psychologist, mental health counselor, or clinical social worker. Our doctoral-level psychologists and educational specialists conduct ADHD assessments using current, evidence-based test batteries. Content on this page reflects clinical approaches currently used by our practice and is reviewed by FPA’s clinical leadership. It is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized clinical consultation.