FAQs

How can we help?

What is ProblemShared?

ProblemShared was founded to evolve and advance the provision of mind healthcare. We are a community of experienced practitioners and passionate advocates for better access to the highest quality neurodevelopmental and mental health support. By combining the power of tech, data, and clinical excellence, we provide personalised care to better equip individuals and institutions in their mind health journey. 

How can you help me?

ProblemShared is an online mind health platform. We provide access to the highest quality care for individuals and institutions seeking mental healthcare services or neurodevelopmental assessments and support.

It's an emergency, what should I do?

We are not able to offer treatment in severe or life-threatening situations. If you think you are at risk of harm or at risk of harming others, you should look at the resources available on our IN CASE OF EMERGENCY page, call 999 or go immediately to your local Accident and Emergency department.

What issues can ProblemShared help me with?

ProblemShared offers online assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and specific learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia. Their post-diagnostic care service includes psychoeducation groups, educational navigation, talk therapy, and the prescribing of ADHD medication where appropriate.

What conditions do you treat?

From Anxiety to PTSD or Loss, the ProblemShared talk therapy practitioners can help with a range of mental health challenges and life changes. Learn more about what we can help with.

How do I choose a ProblemShared talk therapist who is right for me?

You can filter our list of accredited or registered practitioners by gender, specialism, type and price. Take a look through their profiles and biographies. Feel free to send an email to the ones you feel may have the right skillset to help you and have a brief discussion with them in advance of booking a session. They will be more than happy to talk about their approach to therapy and whether this would be appropriate for you.

How do I get the most from my ProblemShared talk therapy sessions?

Choose your therapist carefully – feel free to send an email in advance of booking your initial session to a therapist you think may be right for you, so you can get to know them and discuss a potential way forward.

Remember that your therapist is here to help. If you see therapy as a collaboration, you will improve your likelihood of benefitting from it.

Arrange appointments at times that suit you, when you have an uninterrupted hour and will be in a quiet and private space.

Therapy is a confidential process. You must feel free to speak your mind.

Set goals and markers for change. This will help you chart progress and feel in control of the process.

Do any work set by your therapist outside of your sessions, to maximise the time you have together.

Is online therapy effective?

Yes. There has been a lot of research into this question and although the majority of it comes from the US, it holds true for the UK as well.

The following resources should give you an idea of the efficacy of telemedicine and counselling when compared to more traditional consultation methods:
Internet-based versus face-to-face cognitive-behavioral intervention for depression: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial. Wagner, B., Horn, A. and Maercker, A. (2019).

Internet-based and other computerized psychological treatments for adult depression: a meta-analysis. – PubMed – NCBI. online Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Bergström, J., Andersson, G., Ljótsson, B., Rück, C., Andréewitch, S., Karlsson, A., Carlbring, P., Andersson, E. and Lindefors, N. (2019).

Internet-versus group-administered cognitive behaviour therapy for panic disorder in a psychiatric setting: a randomised trial. Epstein, R. (2019).

Distance Therapy Comes of Age. Scientific American.

What’s the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, a counsellor and a coach?

The nomenclature can be confusing! We’ll try and clarify:

At a high level: psychiatrists are medical doctors and as such can prescribe medication for mental health conditions – such as, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, ADHD or bipolar disorder. If you are working with a psychiatrist, a lot of the treatment may be focused on medication management.

Alongside talking therapies such as psychology or counselling psychologists offer counselling and psychotherapy and perform psychological testing for mental ill-health. They are not medical doctors but have a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) in psychology, which is the study of the mind and human behaviour. Psychologists cannot write prescriptions or perform medical procedures.

Counsellors are mental health professional who have completed an accredited training which qualifies them to work with people over a short or long term to help them bring about effective change and/or enhance their wellbeing.

A coach focuses on helping people attain their goals in life. They might help you to get motivated, set goals, and hold you to account. Life coaching is not regulated nor offered through our platform at this time.

Will I have the same counsellor or psychiatrist throughout my time with ProblemShared?

As a rule, yes. We believe in continuity of care and will do our level best to ensure you see the same clinician for the duration of your treatment. However, should this for some reason not be possible we will help you find an equally appropriate clinician and minimise disruption. Many of our practitioners offer free or low cost introductory sessions and you can search for them using our search filters. We also hope that our filters help you identify a practitioner who feels like is a good fit for you. If, however, you meet with a practitioner and do not feel that the relationship is working, you can change by looking through our community and booking with a different practitioner. We would encourage you to speak to your practitioner about your concerns first.

What do I need to do to see a mental health practitioner?

1. If you are seeing our university service, please contact them. Explain that you wish to have to have talk therapy. They will issue you with a passcode which you will have to enter in order to book a session.

2. If you are a self-pay client, use our filter to find the practitioner that is most appropriate, and book a session. It really is as easy as that! Should you wish to contact them in advance and discuss any further details, contact them by email using the click-through on their biography.

I have completed titration and I am now awaiting a response from my GP on shared care. How is the medication shortage affecting this?

If you are currently in shared care with your GP prescribing for you, or your shared care request gets accepted, your GP may decide to keep issuing you with prescriptions. However, if the medication you are on is currently unavailable, your GP will not be able to change you to an alternate medication, and your GP will need to seek advice from ProblemShared.

Can you prescribe medication?

Talk therapy – psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors cannot prescribe medication.

Neurodevelopmental – our specialist ADHD nurse prescribers can prescribe medication specific to ADHD following an assessment with ProblemShared, where appropriate. Your prescription can be dispensed by your local pharmacy.

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Please note that if you are prescribed medication, you may need to pay for it yourself. This will be discussed in further detail during an introductory call with your ProblemShared clinician.

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PLEASE NOTE: There is a global shortage of Lisdexamphetamine (Elvanse), Atomoxetine (Strattera) which is affecting supply. We are in contact with both the manufacturers and wholesale suppliers of these medications to better understand when stock will become available. In the meantime, our prescribing team are in the process of contacting all clients affected.

Which ADHD medications are there currently a shortage of?

Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) & Atomoxetine (Strattera). There is no known end date to the shortage.

How does the ADHD medication shortage affect my treatment?

At your next review appointment, if your medication is out of stock your prescriber will discuss alternate options available to you, and help you think about your ongoing treatment. We are monitoring the supply situation daily, and you will receive regular email communication from us. Please be assured that we are doing all we can within this framework to support you in accessing ongoing treatment for your ADHD.

When did the ADHD medication shortage start?

It is common practice for pharmacies to only hold a limited stock of any one type of medication, so we initially had no reason to believe this was to become a broader issue. Supply issues have gradually worsened since mid-August 2023, and now there are severe shortages of multiple dosages of medication.

What is the reason for the shortage?

ADHD pharma companies are currently having challenges with maintaining the required supply of ADHD medication. ADHD services and pharmacies globally are experiencing a significant shortage of all ADHD medications.

The medications with the most impact are: Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) & Atomoxetine (Strattera).

How long does ProblemShared anticipate the ADHD medication shortage lasting?

There is no known end date to the global shortage.

What should I do If I can’t get my child’s ADHD medication?

If your child has a review appointment booked with ProblemShared, this appointment will continue. Your prescriber will discuss with you and your child alternate options available, and help you think about your child’s ongoing treatment.

We would additionally advise you to keep your child’s school informed as they may also be able to monitor your child’s behaviour and symptoms in school.

Will my ADHD assessment be going ahead, despite the news of the medication shortage?

Yes, you will still be able to have an ADHD assessment, and if you receive a positive diagnosis and would like to discuss medication treatment, you will still be able to have a Treatment Planning Session with our prescribing team to discuss your current treatment options.

I have just received a diagnosis from ProblemShared for ADHD, when will I have my Treatment Planning Session?

Treatment Planning Sessions will continue to go ahead so you can discuss with a prescriber the treatment options that are available to you.

I have a Treatment Planning Session booked, is this still going ahead due to the ADHD medication shortage?

Treatment Planning Sessions will continue to go ahead so you can discuss with a prescriber the treatment options that are available to you.

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I am currently taking medication prescribed by ProblemShared, but I am worried about my medication running out. What should I do?

At your next review appointment, if your medication is out of stock your prescriber will discuss with you the alternate options available to you and help you think about your ongoing treatment.

If you have more specific concerns, please direct them via email to: adhdmedication@problemshared.net.

Is it safe to just stop taking my ADHD medication?

It is very safe to suddenly stop your medication, in fact we often advise clients take a ‘medication holiday’ to give yourself time off the medication from time to time.

You will not experience any withdrawal; however, you will notice the return of your ADHD symptoms. We do acknowledge that this in itself is stressful and can impact on your day-to-day life. If you are unable to obtain your ADHD medication due to the global shortage, we would advise that you inform your workplace or school, as well as you family and friends, so that they can support you during this time.

Can I be referred back to the NHS?

Should you wish to continue your sessions with an NHS clinician we will happily share information with your new clinician if (a) you give express permission in writing that you are happy for us to do this, and (b) we have received a letter from that clinician requesting the information.

Can my treatment be paid for by the NHS?

Currently, no. We are working to remedy this.

Who regulates ProblemShared?

ProblemShared is registered with the CQC. The CQC monitor and inspect health and social care organisations that provide any regulated activity. As such, ProblemShared's neurodevelopmental service is regulated, monitored and inspected by the CQC.

ProblemShared's counsellors are all members of regulatory bodies and follow best practice guidelines set by those regulatory bodies. Furthermore, they must adhere to a code of conduct drawn from the requirements of professional psychotherapy bodies.

Do you record sessions?

ProblemShared do not record any of their online sessions. What you say in your session is confidential and remains between you and your clinician. However, if the clinician has any concerns about risk or safeguarding, they may have to discuss the matter with their clinical supervisor, clinical team, or safeguarding lead in order ensure safety. Please note that phone calls with the ProblemShared customer service team are recorded.

Can I get a children and young people (CYP) autism diagnosis if I live in Northern Ireland?

We are not currently offering CYP autism assessments to clients who live in Northern Ireland due to the fact that South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust have written to ProblemShared (and all private providers) informing us that they will no longer accept remote autism assessments for CYP. Since then, the Trust has informed us that this position is also being taken by Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSC-NI).

For this reason, we will not be conducting CYP autism assessments for those that live in Northern Ireland until further notice. This is due to the fact that it may severely limit the client’s ability to access post-diagnostic support from the NHS or other state institutions.

If I live in Northern Ireland and have already received an online autism diagnosis from ProblemShared is it still valid?

We follow all the appropriate NICE guidelines to conduct their robust online autism assessments and they stand by their clinical diagnoses. ProblemShared cannot control if a Trust decides not to recognise the online assessment as valid.

Currently, ProblemShared are not conducting CYP autism assessments for those that live in Northern Ireland until further notice. This is due to the fact that it may severely limit the client’s ability to access post-diagnostic support from the NHS or other state institutions.

Can I get an adult online autism assessment from ProblemShared if I live in Northern Ireland?

Yes. We are conducting online autism assessments for adults (18yrs +) who live in Northern Ireland. However, the client enters into the process with full transparency that their Trust may not recognise the online assessment diagnosis, which may severely limit the client’s ability to access post-diagnostic support from the NHS or other state institutions.

Can I get an online ADHD assessment with ProblemShared for my child if I live in Northern Ireland?

Yes. We are conducting online ADHD assessments for children and young people that live in Northern Ireland. However, we are urging clients to gain a shared care agreement (the ongoing care provided by a GP for a client following the completion of the ProblemShared medication pathway) from their GP before they enter into the process. The client also needs to be aware that the online diagnosis may not be recognised by their Trust which may severely limit the client’s ability to access post-diagnostic support from the NHS or other state institutions.

Can I get an adult (18yrs+) online ADHD assessment from ProblemShared if I live in Northern Ireland?

Yes. We are conducting online ADHD assessments for adults (18yrs +) who live in Northern Ireland. However, we are urging clients to gain a shared care agreement (the ongoing care provided by a GP for a client following the completion of the ProblemShared medication pathway) from their GP before they enter into the process. The client also needs to be aware that the online diagnosis may not be recognised by their Trust, which may severely limit the client’s ability to access post-diagnostic support from the NHS or other state institutions.

Why are ProblemShared still conducting ADHD assessments for adults and CYP who live in Northern Ireland?

There are currently extremely long wait lists in Northern Ireland for ADHD assessments. We believe that it is our duty of care to continue to offer the option of online assessment, as long as the client is equipped with the knowledge that their Trust may not recognise the online assessment diagnosis, which may severely limit the client’s ability to access post-diagnostic support from the NHS or other state institutions.

Can I get a specific learning differences (SpLD) assessment if I live in Northern Ireland?

Yes.

Frequently asked questions

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