Your care journey
Your care journey
A step-by-step guide to your care journey with Healios
This page explains, in simple steps, your care journey if you have been referred for online autism, ADHD or mental health support.
Services can vary slightly depending on where you live and the NHS team supporting you, so this is a general guide. We’ll help you understand what happens next, with clear updates and personalised support throughout. Your emails and texts will always include the most accurate information for your situation.
1. Referral or booking
You can access our care and support in one of two ways:
- NHS referral
Your local NHS service (such as Talking Therapies team), Health Board or Integrated Care Board (ICB) refers you to Healios as part of your care pathway. We receive information from the NHS about why you have been referred and which type of support you need.
- Private or employer-funded care (Melios)
You can access private or employer-funded assessments and support through Melios, Healios’ private service. You can read more on our employer-funded page.
2. Welcome information and account set-up
Once a referral or booking has been received and accepted, Healios:
- sends you welcome information (usually by email, text)
- explains what type of assessment, treatment or support you have been referred for
- tells you how to set up your Healios account and log in to our secure online platform.
You may be asked to:
- create a username and password
- check that your contact details are correct
If anything in your welcome information is unclear, our contact details will be included so you can get in touch.
Once your referral or booking is accepted, we’ll get in touch with everything you need to get started. We’ll explain what support you have been referred for, what happens next and how to access your secure Healios account.
Getting set up is straightforward, and we’ll guide you through each step. If anything isn’t clear, our contact details are included so you can easily get in touch for support.
3. Forms and questionnaires
Before your first online appointment, you may be asked to complete forms or questionnaires. This helps your clinician understand you better and prepare, so your time together feels focused, supportive and useful.
You might be asked about:
- current difficulties or concerns
- medical, educational or developmental history
- family or support network
- any adjustments you may need to feel comfortable online.
You will also be asked to complete some short questionnaires ahead of your appointment to understand your strengths and difficulties. With your permission, some questionnaires will be completed by someone who knows you well to gather further information. This could be a partner, family member or other supporter. The information gives your clinician a clear starting point and leaves plenty of time in your appointment to talk about what matters most to you.
We recommend logging into your dashboard a couple of days before your appointment to allow you time to read and complete these.
If you need help completing forms, or you’re not sure how to answer something, you can contact us using the details in your welcome information.
4. Your online appointments
Joining your session
On the day of your appointment, you log in to the Healios platform and click on your scheduled session.
Our what to expect page explains in more detail on:
- how to join from a laptop, tablet or phone
- what the screen will look like
- how we keep your online appointment private and secure.
If your internet connection drops or something goes wrong, your clinician will try to reconnect or will telephone you to let you know what will happen next.
5. Reports, feedback and next steps
What happens after your appointments depends on the type of support you are accessing from Healios. For example:
- Your clinician may complete a report summarising their assessment and clinical opinion. With your agreement and in line with NHS arrangements, this report may be shared with your local NHS team, GP, or other professionals involved in your care. The outcome of this assessment and any recommended next steps, including further support, signposting, or referrals will be communicated to you by Healios where appropriate
If you are unsure what happens next after your appointment, please ask your clinician at the end of the session or contact us using the details provided.
6. Ongoing mental health and post assessment support
For some people, Healios is involved only for a specific assessment. For others, there may be:
- follow-up appointments
- mental health support including CBT and brief psychosocial intervention
- post neurodevelopmental assessment support
- psychoeducation or structured programmes to help you understand and manage autism, ADHD or mental health difficulties.
Some of this support is delivered through our Integrated Treatment Services (ITS) team who offer a range of needs-led interventions designed around children, young people, adults and families.
Whether ongoing support is offered by Healios, by your local NHS team or by another service will depend on your local pathway.
After you complete your forms and questionnaires, our team may contact you directly if your answers suggest you may need extra support or a follow-up check-in before your appointment.
Who you will see
Your sessions are guided by an experienced clinician, who will explain what to expect and make sure you feel comfortable throughout. What happens will depend on the type of support you’re receiving.
What happens in sessions
What happens in your session depends on the type of support you are accessing from Healios. For example:
- In an online autism assessment or online ADHD assessment, the clinician may ask detailed questions, use structured tasks and consider information from parents, carers or teachers where appropriate.
- In an online mental health assessment, the clinician will ask questions to understand the current challenges and needs, and may use structured questions or questionnaires to help build a clear picture.
- In online mental health support, the focus may be on understanding current challenges, setting goals that are meaningful for you and developing helpful strategies or tools together over a number of sessions.
- In post assessment or psychoeducation support, the focus may be on understanding your diagnosis, building on strengths and exploring practical support at home, school or work.
Your clinician will explain what to expect at the start of your appointment and check that you are comfortable to continue.
If you need to change or cancel an appointment
If you need to change or cancel an appointment, please follow the instructions in your welcome information or appointment reminder. This will usually tell you:
- how much notice is needed
- how to contact us or update your booking
- What happens if you miss a session
If you are worried about immediate safety or risk, please use the emergency contact routes given in your information, or contact urgent local or national services here.
Safety, privacy and governance
Healios follows clinical governance, safeguarding and information governance standards that are aligned with NHS expectations.
If you would like more detail about:
- how we keep online autism, ADHD and mental health assessments safe and clinically governed
- how we protect your information
- how Healios services integrate with NHS systems,
you can visit our safety, compliance and integration page.
Online appointments – what to expect
Many adults naturally wonder what an online session will feel like. You might have questions about being on camera, how technology or internet connection might affect the session, or whether your privacy and information will be fully protected. These are all valid considerations, and we take the time to address them with you so you can feel comfortable, supported, and confident during your appointment.
We use a secure clinical platform and protect your information in line with UK data protection law. Only professionals involved in your care can access your records.
Being in your own space often helps adults reflect more comfortably. If a session feels challenging, we adapt – offering breaks, adjusting pacing, or agreeing practical adjustments in advance. If technology fails us, your clinician will reconnect or contact you by phone to agree on the next steps.
Preparing for your session
Before your appointment, you will receive clear information about:
The type of appointment (autism assessment, ADHD assessment, or mental health support)
- Date and time
- How to log in
- Who to contact with questions
You may also be asked to complete questionnaires to help clinicians understand your experiences and make the most of your session. Some questionnaires may involve input from someone who knows you well, such as a partner or family member.
If you are unsure how to answer a question, contact us for guidance. Completing these forms is an important part of your assessment and ongoing care.
Who will be in the appointment?
- For adults, sessions usually include:
- You – the adult client
- A Healios clinician (for example, a psychologist or mental health practitioner)
Sometimes adults choose to have a partner, friend, or family member present for part of neurodevelopmental assessments. This can be discussed and agreed with your clinician.
What happens in an appointment?
Autism assessments
- Questions about communication, social interaction, behaviour, and patterns
- Discussion of strengths and challenges
- Opportunities to share examples from home, work, or social situations
- Space to ask questions about autism and the assessment process
ADHD assessments
- Questions about attention, focus, activity, and impulsivity
- Discussion of how ADHD traits affect work, home, and relationships
- Exploration of strengths and challenges
- Space to reflect on everyday impact
Mental health support
- Understanding current difficulties and contributing factors
- Exploring practical strategies or coping tools
- Setting goals and reviewing progress
- Involving supporters where appropriate
- All approaches are adapted to each person, pathway, and referral.
Post-assessment support
Some adults may receive follow-up support after an autism or ADHD assessment, including:
- Understanding outcomes and implications
- Focusing on strengths and how to build on them
- Exploring practical strategies at home or work
- Signposting to additional resources
Session length
Duration varies by appointment type and local pathway:
- Mental health assessments: ~90 minutes
- Ongoing mental health support: ~50 minutes
- Autism/ADHD assessments or feedback sessions: variable, may take multiple sessions
Sessions can be adapted — with breaks or shorter slots — depending on your needs.
Quick answers: your care journey
How does Healios work with the NHS?
Healios provides online autism, ADHD and mental health services as part of NHS care pathways. We receive referrals from NHS teams, deliver online appointments, and share reports and updates back with your NHS service where agreed.
Is Healios an online-only service?
Healios delivers the majority of its clinical services online, using secure video appointments. Sometimes we offer face to face assessment services in agreement with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). Your wider care may also include support from local in-person services, depending on your NHS pathway.