Glowing Ember Therapy

Adult Neuro-diversity Affirming ADHD Evaluations (18+)

Evaluation Inquiry Therapy Inquiry

approach

Understand yourself with greater depth and compassion.

An ADHD assessment is more than a set of forms and checkboxes. My approach is rooted in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and a queer and neurodiversity-affirming perspective, recognizing ADHD as part of the natural spectrum of human thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. We look beyond symptoms to explore your story—your upbringing, environment, coping strategies, and the meaning you’ve made of your experiences.

An image of two hands cradling a small flame with a red background.

context

Your experiences and questions are approached with curiosity and taken seriously.

Many adults seeking an ADHD evaluation come with mixed feelings: relief at the possibility of finding answers, fear of being dismissed, or worry about “not being ADHD enough.” I offer a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you don’t need to perform or “hold it together.”

Intention

Not just a checklist of symptoms.

Together, we explore your history, strengths, and challenges so you can gain clarity, validation, and a deeper understanding of how your mind works, along with language for what you’ve been navigating all along.

To sum it up, our work together will...

  • Explore your lived experience with curiosity and compassion.
  • Look beyond checklists to explore your history, strengths, and challenges.
  • Offer new, compassionate ways of seeing old labels.
  • Place ADHD in the context of your whole self—one meaningful thread in your larger story.

Process

1

Inquire

Complete and submit the inquiry form

2

Consult

Join a brief consultation call

(15 - 20 minutes)
3

Assess

Complete pre-session assessments and sign agreements

4

Meet

Attend face-to-face meetings

(three 50 minute sessions)
5

Report

Receive personalized report

(about 2 weeks after sessions)
6

Review

Additional session to review report and discuss next steps

(Optional)

Cost

$800

Letter (with sessions)

1 page

Diagnostic explanation

Best option for diagnostic clarity

$900

Brief report (with sessions)

1 -2 pages

Diagnostic explanation and clinical recommendations

Best option if you are seeking diagnostic clarity and self-understanding about your neurotype

$1,050

Full report (with sessions)

5 - 7 pages

Background information, diagnostic explanation, and clinical recommendations

Best option if you need school or work accommodations

$750

without report

$150

per extra session

$50 off

for virtual clients

$50 off

when paid in cash

FAQ

Do you prescribe medication?

No. I am not a prescriber and cannot write prescriptions.

Do you accept insurance?

No. If you have out of network coverage, I can provide a superbill. This means that you pay for your session out-of-pocket, and then it is your responsibility to request and submit this documentation to your insurance company for full or partial reimbursement.

How is evaluation cost calculated?

As a clinician personally navigating the experience of ADHD, I want these evaluations to be as affordable as possible while also keeping my practice sustainable. The fee reflects both the direct time we spend together and the behind-the-scenes work that makes a thoughtful evaluation possible.

This includes: Ongoing training and licensure renewal, access to validated assessment tools, careful review of assessments and preparation for our sessions, face-to-face meetings with you, time and resources spent attending trainings and designing and refining the evaluation process.

What are your qualifications?

My understanding of ADHD is both personal and professional. As a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and an ADHD-er, I know the realities of masking and juggle the ups and downs of focus and energy. I’ve also completed specialized ADHD assessment trainings, read widely, and continue to study and learn. My goal is to combine personal insight with professional knowledge, so that evaluations feel both thorough and deeply understanding of what it’s like to be neurodivergent.

It seems like everyone identifies as neurodivergent these days. Are you just diagnosing everyone with ADHD?

As awareness of neurodiversity grows, more people are finding language that resonates with their own experiences. It’s also true that relating to these traits can be meaningful in itself, even if it doesn’t meet the threshold for a formal diagnosis. My approach integrates standardized screeners, developmental and psychosocial history, and a structured diagnostic interview to develop an evidence-based understanding of your experience. Affirming doesn’t mean automatic—it means conducting each evaluation with curiosity, clinical integrity, and respect for complexity.Whether or not a diagnosis is given, the intention is to provide clarity that’s both accurate and truly helpful for navigating your life.

How are your evaluations different from those done by a psychologist?

Unlike psychologists, who often provide full neuropsychological assessments using performance-based measures —including IQ, academic, and memory or processing speed tests—my evaluations focus on understanding your lived experience and how neurodivergence shows up in daily life. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I rely on validated screeners, structured interviews, developmental history, and narrative data to capture a picture of how neurodivergence affects your daily life and functioning.

I also recognize that accessing accommodations, legal protections, and services often requires alignment with the medical model. When necessary, I translate that picture into DSM-5-TR language to ensure your evaluation supports both self-understanding and real-world access—without compromising an affirming approach.

A photo of Maryann.

Maryann Bavisotto, LCSW

Maryann (she/they) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Buffalo, NY, specializing in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy with a focus on supporting queer and neurodivergent clients.

glowingembertherapy@gmail.com

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