Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

At Thrive Psychiatry, we intentionally support a small number of clients so that everyone receives the time, attention, and continuity they deserve. We provide thoughtful, comprehensive assessments and personalised medication management, taking the time to understand each person's unique circumstances rather than rushing to a diagnosis or treatment plan.

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Unlike high-volume services, we deliberately limit the number of assessments we undertake each week. This allows us to offer shorter waiting times, maintain a highly responsive service, and ensure that every assessment is carried out with care and attention to detail.

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We are also intentionally not a Right to Choose provider. This enables us to remain independent, keep our caseload small, and focus on delivering genuinely personalised care rather than operating at scale. As a result, we get to know the people we support well, building trusted relationships and providing treatment informed by a deep understanding of each individual's needs, goals, and progress over time.

At Thrive, every diagnosis is carried out following international gold-standard guidelines — including the DSM-5 TR and ICD-11, which are used by clinicians and healthcare professionals worldwide.

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We use evidence-based assessment tools and follow strict protocols based on NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommendations — the same standards trusted by the NHS.

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Our assessments and diagnostic reports are widely recognised and well accepted. If you’d like additional reassurance, we encourage you to share your report with your local healthcare provider or education team for their perspective on private assessments.

Thrive Psychiatry is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care services in England. CQC registration means that we are required to meet nationally recognised standards for safety, quality, governance, and patient care. Our policies, procedures, and clinical practice are subject to regulatory oversight, providing reassurance that the care we deliver is safe, effective, and accountable. For our clients, this means confidence that they are receiving care from a service that meets the standards expected of regulated healthcare providers.

At Thrive Psychiatry, our autism assessments are designed to be thorough, collaborative, and aligned with best practice. The process is led by Lisa, our Clinical Director, and follows a multidisciplinary team (MDT) model in line with NICE guidance.

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The diagnostic interview is completed by Lisa, alongside an in-depth observational assessment carried out by James, our Consultant Therapist. Each case is then reviewed within a formal MDT meeting, where a Clinical Psychologist is always involved. All MDT clinicians contribute to the discussion and co-sign the diagnostic outcome.

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This approach ensures that no autism diagnosis is made in isolation - every decision is carefully considered, evidence-based, and supported by a wider clinical team.

All appointment and assessment fees are due in full at the time of booking to secure your chosen date and time.

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We understand that plans can change, so our cancellation policy is designed to be as flexible as possible:

• Cancel or reschedule with more than 48 hours’ notice and you’ll receive a full refund or the option to credit the payment toward a future appointment.

• If you cancel or reschedule with less than 48 hours’ notice, 50% of the fee can be credited toward a future booking.

• Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds or credits for missed appointments or no-shows.

We make it easy to access the support you need with flexible online and in-person appointments. Adults can choose between online sessions or face-to-face appointments. For children, we require mostly in-person assessments to ensure a thorough and accurate evaluation.

Once the assessment is complete, follow-up reviews are available online or in person to suit your schedule.

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It’s easy to book your assessment or appointment at a time that suits your schedule. We aim to offer a first appointment within 4–6 weeks, so you can start the process without long waiting times.

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After your assessment is complete, you’ll receive your comprehensive diagnostic report within around 2 weeks in most cases. This ensures you get the results and recommendations you need as quickly as possible.

Every member of our clinical team has significant NHS experience and many continue to work within NHS services today. This ensures our approach is informed by the latest clinical standards and evidence-based practice.

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Our lead clinician, Lisa Cleevely, is the Clinical Lead for a Children’s Mental Health Service at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust. Her ongoing NHS role helps ensure that the care, assessments, and recommendations you receive at Thrive are aligned with national best practice.

At present, we are unable to provide assessments or treatment using private medical insurance. All services are offered on a self-funded basis.

If medication is part of your treatment plan and you reach a stable dosage, we can help arrange a Shared Care Agreement with your GP. This means your GP may take over the prescribing of your ADHD medication, making ongoing treatment easier and more convenient.

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We provide clear protocols and documentation to support this process. Once agreed, your medication will be issued as an NHS prescription and charged at the standard NHS rate.

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Please note that Shared Care depends on your GP’s agreement, so we recommend speaking with them before starting treatment with Thrive. This ensures they are informed and can support your ongoing care from the beginning.

We offer Autism assessments for children and young people aged 4 to 17 years and 11 months and we offer ADHD assessments for children and young people aged 5 to 17 years and 11 months. This ensures we can support families throughout key stages of childhood and adolescence.