Child and Adolescent ADHD Assessment and Therapy in Limassol, Cyprus
Dr George E. Agathokleous is a Certified ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP), with ADHD a particular clinical focus of this practice. At Empathic Psychologist, we provide specialist, evidence-based ADHD assessment and therapy for children and adolescents in Limassol, Cyprus combining standardised measures, structured clinical interview and direct observation, following recognised guidance from NICE and CHADD.
A thorough, evidence-based pathway for children and teenagers, in Limassol and across Cyprus
ADHD Inattention Hyperactivity Impulsivity Executive function Emotional dysregulation
What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that significantly impact a child's functioning across multiple settings, including home, school and social relationships.
For a diagnosis to be appropriate, symptoms need to have been present before the age of twelve, to persist for at least six months, and to appear in two or more settings, such as both home and school, rather than in just one. This matters because many childhood difficulties, including anxiety, sleep problems and some learning difficulties, can look similar to ADHD on the surface. A proper assessment always considers these other explanations carefully rather than assuming ADHD from a symptom list alone.
ADHD presents in three subtypes:
Predominantly Inattentive (formerly ADD) — difficulty sustaining attention, easily distracted, forgetful
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive — difficulty sitting still, interrupting, acting without thinking
Combined Presentation — features of both subtypes
ADHD affects approximately 5–7% of children worldwide. It is not a result of poor parenting, lack of effort or low intelligence — it is a neurobiological difference in how the brain regulates attention, impulse control and executive function.
Signs your child may need support
Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks, especially those requiring mental effort
Frequently losing items needed for tasks (e.g., school materials, belongings)
Easily distracted by external stimuli or unrelated thoughts
Failing to follow through on instructions or complete schoolwork
Hyperactivity: fidgeting, leaving seat, running or climbing inappropriately
Excessive talking and difficulty waiting for their turn
Acting before thinking — impulsive decisions without considering consequences
Emotional dysregulation: quick frustration, low frustration tolerance, intense emotional reactions
Difficulties with organisation, time management and planning
Underachievement at school despite adequate intelligence
Because several other childhood difficulties can present in similar ways, including anxiety, sleep difficulties and some learning differences, a thorough assessment looks carefully at these possibilities alongside ADHD, rather than assuming a diagnosis from behaviour alone.
ADHD in girls is frequently missed or misdiagnosed, presenting more often as inattentiveness and emotional sensitivity rather than hyperactivity. If you are concerned, an assessment can provide clarity.
How We Assess for ADHD
Our Core Standards:
An ADHD assessment carries real weight for a child and their family, so the process behind it matters as much as the outcome. Clinical practice guidelines exist to safeguard this, setting out what the accumulated evidence shows a thorough assessment actually requires.
We anchor our pathway to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline on ADHD diagnosis (NICE NG87), guidelines available by separate systematic reviews and major organisations for ADHD education, advocacy and support such as: Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).
What to Look For in an ADHD Assessment?
Diagnosis rests on a full clinical assessment, not rating scales or observation alone.
Evidence must span more than one setting.
Rating scales are used as as helpful added tools, never the sole basis for diagnosis.
Direct, dedicated time with the child themselves, not only reports about them from others.
A full developmental and family history, not a symptom checklist alone.
Screening for other conditions that can look like ADHD, since several can present in similar ways.
A dedicated process to explain findings clearly, not a diagnosis simply handed down.
How Our Pathway Meets Each Standard?
Information from more than one person, not just one parent's account. Rating scales come from parents, teacher and, from age 8, the child, alongside a direct teacher interview.
Direct, dedicated time with the child, not only reports about them. Two dedicated sessions give your child direct time with Dr George Efraem, including their own self-report and the sustained attention and vigilance testing
Observation in a real-world setting, not only the clinic room. A direct visit to your child's school includes classroom observation as standard.
A full developmental and family history, not a symptom checklist alone. Our structured ACE interview covers this in full, working through every DSM-5-TR criterion.
Screening for other conditions that can look like ADHD. Stage 3 screens explicitly for anxiety, low mood, oppositional or conduct difficulties, learning differences, autism, tics and sleep problems.
Rating scales used as supporting evidence, never the sole basis for diagnosis. Clinical judgement stays central throughout; rating scales inform it, never replace it.
A dedicated session to explain findings, not a diagnosis simply handed down. Stage 4 is a dedicated feedback session, with a written formulation and clear recommendations.
Your child's own voice is included
From around age 8, your child completes their own age-appropriate self-report, reflecting current guidance that a child's perspective should be included wherever possible.
Objective testing
It gives an objective measure of different types of attention-related difficulty and response speed, adding a valuable, evidence-based layer to the overall clinical picture.
Assessment happens in your child's real environment
We see your child in their everyday school environment and speak with their teacher directly, adding genuine, first-hand insight into how your child manages attention, activity and social demands day to day.
The goal is understanding your child
Every stage of this process builds a genuine, individual picture of how your child thinks, feels and copes. A full assessment is only ever recommended after an initial intake conversation, so you already have a clear picture of why it is the right next step.
Our ADHD Assessment
In line with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (DSM-5-TR) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance, an accurate ADHD assessment depends on gathering information from more than one source and more than one setting, and on considering what else could explain what you are seeing.
Stage 1: Testing
Your child's teacher completes a set of standardised, validated questionnaires remotely, including SNAP-IV-26, the Teacher Assessment Form, and the Conners-4 teacher version.
Parents and your child then attend two dedicated sessions at our practice:
Session 1 is built around the Conners-4 rating scales. Your child completes their own age-appropriate self-report directly with Dr George Efraem, while you complete the parent version separately.
Session 2 includes the Sustained attention and vigilance testing, completed by your child with Dr George Efraem. This gives an objective measure of different types of attention-related difficulty, looking at:
Inattentiveness — how consistently your child notices and responds to relevant information
Impulsivity — how well your child controls their responses rather than reacting before thinking
Sustained attention — how well your child maintains focus as the task continues
Vigilance — how reliably your child detects infrequent, unpredictable targets
Response speed — how quickly and consistently your child responds throughout the task
Alongside the attention testing, your child completes any further age-appropriate self-report measures relevant to them, and there is time for a short follow-up conversation building on what was learned in Session 1. Meanwhile, you complete the remaining questionnaires in our battery in the waiting room, including the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale, the Weiss Symptom Record-2, and an Issues Checklist covering specific areas of family life.
For adolescents aged 10 to 12 and older, an additional validated self-report measure (ASRS) is included alongside Conners-4's own self-report form, giving a fuller picture of how your teenager experiences their own attention and behaviour.
Stage 2: Interviews & Observation
Direct school observation. We see your child in their everyday school environment and speak with their teacher directly, adding genuine, first-hand insight into how your child manages attention, activity and social demands day to day.
A structured 90-minute interview with parents. The ADHD Child Evaluation Interview works through each DSM-5-TR diagnostic criterion in depth, enriching the picture with qualitative detail alongside the questionnaire results.ts.
Stage 3: Data Analysis
Scores and observations from every stage are collated and interpreted together. ADHD commonly occurs alongside anxiety, low mood, oppositional or conduct difficulties, learning differences, autism, tics and sleep problems. This process screens for all of these alongside the core ADHD picture. They shape both the accuracy of the diagnosis and the right therapeutic plan. Where indicated, this stage also strengthens the basis for a referral to a specialist psychiatrist or neuropsychologist for dedicated further input.
Stage 4: Report & Feedback
A dedicated session in which findings are explained in full, in plain language, with clear recommendations for what would help your child, discussed directly with you.
Combining multiple informants and multiple methods across all four stages builds a complete, clinically reliable picture, in line with current best-practice ADHD assessment guidance.
Our Therapeutic Approach
Our ADHD therapy in Limassol is built around four connected pillars, tailored to your child's age and profile. Sessions are available in English and Greek, in person in Limassol and online across Cyprus.
Psychoeducation for parents and children
We help both you and your child understand what ADHD is, how it affects attention, impulse control and emotional regulation, and why certain situations feel harder than others. Structured psychoeducation typically covers the core symptoms, what is currently understood about the causes, and common misconceptions, including the idea that the difficulties are down to laziness or poor parenting, which they are not. Delivered alongside behavioural and cognitive behavioural techniques, this combined approach supports quality of life and reduces anxiety and low mood in children with ADHD.
Behavioural modification
A parent consultation programme paired with individual behavioural therapy for your child. Parent training in behaviour management is recommended as a first line, strongly evidenced intervention for ADHD, with research showing meaningful reductions in disruptive behaviour and improvements in parenting confidence and the parent child relationship.
Psychotherapy for co-occurring difficulties
ADHD frequently occurs alongside anxiety, low self-esteem and shame, particularly once a child has faced repeated difficulty at school or at home. Where a child has already benefited from behavioural work and parent training but still shows impairment in a specific area, such as peer relationships or emotional regulation, targeted CBT and third wave CBT approaches are a recommended next step. Research shows that CBT focused on comorbid anxiety in children with ADHD produces meaningful symptom improvement.
Support for school accommodations
We provide expert clinical consultation to your child's teachers and school, translating our assessment findings into clear, practical recommendations, from classroom strategies to formal accommodation plans. We share this guidance directly with teachers and school leadership, giving them the clinical insight to support your child well. These recommendations are built alongside your child's wider therapeutic plan, so school support and therapy work hand in hand.
ADHD medication
We do not prescribe or offer medication. Any decision about it is best made with your child's paediatrician or psychiatrist. Research consistently points to medication as one of the most effective single interventions for ADHD, though best practice guidance favours combining it with the therapeutic, family and school-based support above for the most meaningful, lasting results.
Therapy Programmes for ADHD
Child Therapy Programme (Ages 2–12)
For children aged 2–12 with ADHD, therapy is delivered through our Child Therapy Programme — combining psychoeducation, play-based emotional regulation work and parent training to help younger children manage attention, impulse control and self-regulation.
Adolescent Therapy Programme (Ages 12–18)
For young people aged 12–18 with ADHD, therapy is delivered through our Adolescent Therapy Programme — focusing on executive function coaching, emotional regulation and building the self-awareness and organisational skills needed for academic and social success.
Parent-Child Therapy Programme
⭐Recommended for enhanced outcomes ⭐
Parents of children with ADHD may also be recommended to attend our Parent-Child Programme building understanding of the ADHD brain and developing consistent, empathy-based strategies for managing behaviour and strengthening the parent-child relationship at home.
*Available standalone or alongside child therapy
What to expect
Assessment at Empathic Psychologist begins with a thorough understanding of the child and family context not just the presenting behaviour. Dr George Efraem takes time to understand the child's full developmental history, current stressors and the settings in which difficulties occur before formulating a clinical picture.
An intake psychological assessment is carried out and where specialist input is indicated, the child is enrolled onto the dedicated ADHD assessment pathway. A comprehensive assessment is then conducted across four dedicated sessions plus a visit to the child's school, using structured clinical interview, validated psychometric scales, objective testing and collaborative feedback from parents and school where appropriate.
A personalised therapy plan is developed and shared with the family. Therapy typically runs 12–24 weekly sessions of 50 minutes, with regular progress reviews.
ADHD is best supported as an ongoing, evolving picture rather than a single block of treatment. Beyond the initial programme, we recommend periodic review sessions so that support can be adjusted as your child grows and their needs change.
*Most families receive their first appointment within one week of getting in touch.
Neuropsychological assessment pathway
Where the picture shows notable indications that warrant a closer look, we may recommend a full neuropsychological assessment for an in-depth evaluation of executive functioning, to further clarify the presence and profile of ADHD. Dr George Efraem will guide families through this process and liaise with the neuropsychologist where consent is given.
Psychiatric referral pathway
Where screening indicates a strong likelihood of ADHD, we may recommend a psychiatric assessment to clarify the diagnostic picture and determine whether medication evaluation may be beneficial. Dr George Efraem will guide families through this process and liaise with the psychiatrist where consent is given.
Free 15-min consultation
Discuss your child's needs and concerns with Dr George Efraem — no commitment required
Comprehensive assessment
2–3 sessions using screening tools, clinical interviews and child observation. Detailed formulation, findings and personalised recommendations for home and school
Specialist liaison if needed, psychiatric or neuropsychological
Where indicated, Dr George Efraem guides and supports families through psychiatric or neuropsychological referral
Therapy and ongoing support at home and school
12–24 sessions tailored to your child's individual ADHD profile with regular parent sessions
Pricing & Timeline
Most families complete the full pathway within 2 to 3 weeks. The core testing sessions take place in person, typically across three to four visits, with some flexibility to complete part of the assessment online where that suits your family better. This remains a practical option for families outside Limassol, elsewhere in Cyprus, or visiting from abroad.
The full assessment cost is paid in three instalments as you move through the process. Each instalment unlocks the next stage, so payment tracks your progress through the assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dr George Efraem specially trained in ADHD?
Yes. Dr George Efraem is a Certified ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP), having completed specialist postgraduate training in ADHD assessment and treatment across childhood and adulthood.
What does an ADHD assessment involve?
Our ADHD assessment follows a structured four-stage pathway, in line with DSM-5-TR criteria. Parents, teachers and, from age 8, your child complete standardised questionnaires, including Conners-4, SNAP-IV-26, ASRS and more. This is followed by the Objective Quantitative Attention and Activity Assessment (OQAAA), a school visit, and a structured 90-minute parent interview. Findings are then analysed together and explained to you in a dedicated feedback session, with clear recommendations for what would help your child.
What does ADHD therapy involve?
Our ADHD therapy is built around four connected areas: psychoeducation for you and your child, parent-led and individual behavioural therapy, psychotherapy for any co-occurring anxiety or low self-esteem, and expert liaison with your child's school. The combination is tailored to your child's age and profile.
Does my child need to take medication to be part of this programme?
Research consistently points to medication as one of the most effective single interventions for ADHD, though best practice guidance favours combining it with the therapeutic, family and school-based support we provide, for the most meaningful, lasting results. We do not prescribe or offer medication ourselves, and any decision about it is best made with your child's paediatrician or psychiatrist.
What age range does ADHD assessment and therapy cover at Empathic Psychologist?
ADHD assessment is generally offered from around age 5, once attention and behaviour can be reliably compared against typical development at that age. ADHD therapy and support continue through to age 18, tailored to your child's stage of development.
Do school accommodations alone help a child with ADHD?
Yes. We provide expert clinical consultation to your child's school, translating our assessment into clear, practical recommendations, from classroom strategies to formal accommodation plans. This guidance goes directly to teachers, giving them the clinical insight to support your child well, and it is built alongside your child's therapy, so school support and treatment work hand in hand.
Does the assessment also check for other conditions, not just ADHD?
Yes. ADHD commonly occurs alongside difficulties such as anxiety, low mood, learning differences or sleep problems, and we screen for these as part of a thorough ADHD assessment, since they affect both the diagnosis and the right plan for your child.
Do you carry out full neuropsychological testing?
Our own ADHD assessment includes the Objective Quantitative Attention and Activity Assessment (OQAAA), a screening-level measure of attention and executive function. Where there are notable indications that warrant a closer look, we refer for a full neuropsychological assessment, which provides an in-depth evaluation of executive functioning to further clarify the presence of ADHD. We guide you through that referral process.
Is ADHD support a one-off process, or ongoing?
ADHD is best thought of as a long-term picture rather than a single course of treatment. Alongside the initial assessment and therapy programme, we recommend periodic review sessions so support can be adjusted as your child grows and circumstances change.
How long does the assessment take, and is it practical for families outside Limassol?
The full ADHD assessment pathway typically completes within 2 to 3 weeks. The core testing sessions take place in person, with some flexibility to complete part of the assessment online, giving the pathway added flexibility for families based elsewhere in Cyprus or abroad.
**Content is grounded in peer-reviewed research and evidence-based clinical guidelines. Sources available on request.
Ready to take the first step?
Call Now for a free 15-minute consultation with Dr George E. Agathokleous — most families receive an assessment appointment within one week.