About Frida
Where does Frida come from?
Frida is from the same creators as Freddie (gofreddie.com), Canada's largest HIV prevention clinic.
Freddie was created to provide healthcare for a community that has traditionally been overlooked, stigmatized, and marginalized.
We are working on bringing the same level of accessibility and care to mental health — starting with adult ADHD.
Our clinicians provide care with empathy, compassion, and inclusion in place of judgment.
14,000+ clinical consults
5,000+ patients
4.9 ★★★★★ (76 Google Reviews)
What is Frida about?
Frida makes it easy to find out if you have ADHD, and to get the right treatment for it, provided by qualified, compassionate clinicians — all from the comfort of your home.
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD typically can be extremely difficult, because many family doctors aren't equipped to deal with mental health issues. Even if you get a diagnosis, accessing treatment can cost an incredible amount of time and money. We created Frida because we believe everyone should be able to access the right ADHD and mental health care for them.
How does Frida work?
Frida provides diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care for adults with ADHD.
There are six main steps with Frida:
Complete our online assessment to see if you are a good fit for Frida, and if we can support your specific needs.
If we can support your specific needs, you will be able to schedule a judgement-free, comprehensive 60-minute evaluation with a clinician. It will be conducted by phone.
During the first visit, your clinician will get to know you and work with you to determine which treatment, if any, is appropriate. Your treatment could include medication, therapy or both.
If you are prescribed medication, it is usually delivered to your home within two business days.
Typically, you will see your clinician for short visits every 2 to 4 weeks at the start to work on tailoring your treatment plan to your specific needs.
Once your treatment plan is optimized, you will check in with your care team every three months by phone or chat. The choice is typically yours, although sometimes we will need to speak with you. And you can always message your care team! Responses are typically received within 2 business days.
Who is Frida for?
Frida is for anyone over the age of 18 who believes they have ADHD, or has ADHD. We tend to focus on women* because ADHD is more under-diagnosed in women than in men. Boys are 3x more likely to be diagnosed as girls, and research shows that 75% of women with attention problems are undiagnosed (source: CADDAC).
All that being said, we welcome everyone to Frida, regardless of the gender and sex they were assigned at birth.
*women in all their diversity: cis-women, trans and non-binary individuals.
Where is Frida available?
Currently, Frida is serving patients in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan.
We're working towards expanding our services to other provinces. If you're currently in another Canadian province, you can join our waiting list by selecting "Other" in the province options here.
I already have ADHD. Is Frida for me?
Yes! If you’d like the additional care Frida provides, we welcome you. We still require all patients to go through our diagnostic process to make sure we can provide you with the highest quality of care.
Complete our free 2-min self-assessment and create an account to see if Frida is right for you.
How do I know if I have ADHD?
There are many different symptoms associated with ADHD. We recommend starting with our one minute assessment. It is a clinically validated tool called the ASRS that is used to help diagnose ADHD in adults.
The ASRS is extremely effective at accurately telling you if you do not have ADHD. And it is pretty effective at telling you if you do have ADHD, although less so.
If your assessment results say your symptoms are consistent with ADHD, we recommend booking an appointment with a Frida clinician for a full-length interview to better assess your possible ADHD diagnosis.
You can start the assessment here.
Who is Frida's partner pharmacy?
Our partner pharmacy in Alberta and Ontario is Affirming Care Pharmacy.
Pharmacy contact details - Alberta
Address: 230-510 5th Street SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 3S2, Canada
Phone: 403-226-4411
Fax: 855-978-2104
Hours - Alberta
Monday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Pharmacy personnel - Alberta
Pharmacy Manager: Dhruvin Rawal
Pharmacy contact details - Ontario
Address: 22624 Dunwin Dr, Unit #2, Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 3T5, Canada
Phone: 905-607-6789
Fax: 905-820-5427
Hours - Ontario
Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Pharmacy personnel - Ontario
Pharmacy Manager: Saloua Abdelhadi
Getting started
What should I expect after Frida’s free self-assessment?
Upon completing your self-assessment, you will be given an answer on whether you may have ADHD or not. If positive, you will be prompted to create your free Frida account.
After you’ve created your account, you will be asked to complete the following within the Frida Care Portal:
Answer a screening questionnaire to make sure Frida is a fit.
Book an appointment to confirm your diagnosis.
Prior to your appointment, complete a series of additional screening questionnaires.
On the day of your appointment:
Your clinician will call you at your scheduled appointment time; it may show up as a blocked number.
Find a safe, quiet, private space.
You cannot be driving during the appointment.
The appointment will be scheduled for 60 min. If you need more time with the clinician, a second (shorter) appointment will be scheduled.
Frida’s robust processes are an investment in your health. By submitting your medical history in advance, your clinician can come prepared to clarify some items and further discuss your care with Frida’s medical team. This is how an accurate diagnosis is made. Some persons will not be appropriate for care through Frida, but we will do our best to guide you towards a provider or service that can.
How long will this take?
From completing your self-assessment and signing up to getting a diagnostic appointment and receiving diagnostic results:
British Columbia: ~1 week
Alberta: ~3 weeks
Ontario: ~3 weeks
The ADHD self-assessment says Frida is not a good fit for me, now what?
Frida is a virtual care provider and all of our services are conducted remotely. As a result, there are limitations to what we can do. At times, virtual care may not be the best support for a patient.
Based on results of your self-assessment survey, it is possible that our virtual service is not the best fit for you and you may benefit more from in-person support. It is also possible that your symptoms may warrant further in-person discussion with a clinician to further investigate as it is unclear from your survey results if you have ADHD.
Our patient care teams have assembled a list of providers and resources that may assist you in your province. Please let us know if you'd be interested in receiving this list of resources.
Diagnostic assessment
Do I need to prepare for my diagnosis consultation?
You will be asked to complete four forms in advance of your evaluation. These forms will be reviewed by your clinician and will help them make a diagnosis. They take about 20 minutes to complete.
Aside from this, there is no other preparation required.
What should I expect from my online diagnosis consult?
You will have a 75-minute phone call with a clinician who will obtain a full medical history and complete a mental health evaluation. Your Frida clinician will get to know your full story and work with you to determine which treatment, if any, is appropriate.
We do not cut corners or skip any important aspects of a proper evaluation.
Who is completing my diagnosis?
You will meet a nurse practitioner who has significant experience diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, as well as additional training in diagnosing and treating ADHD.
Your care team also consists of Frida clinicians, nurses, and pharmacists. You may interact with these healthcare professionals, or they may support your care in the background.
What happens if I'm diagnosed with ADHD?
Your clinician will provide you with a personalized treatment plan and talk to you about next steps. If you'd like to receive a letter of diagnosis, please request one from our team. We will also get this ready for you after your diagnosis.
Treatment
How is my treatment plan decided?
Your clinician will balance a number of factors including the severity of your symptoms, your medical history, and any other health conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms. There is no one size fits all approach.
How often will I meet with my clinician?
New Frida patients will meet with a Frida clinician every 4–8 weeks to refill your prescription, discuss your progress and make any necessary changes to your treatment.
Once you've reached an optimal dose with your treatment, you'll continue to meet a Frida clinician every 3–6 months.
Your clinician will work with you to decide the appropriate frequency of appointments.
Can I message the Frida care team at any time?
Yes! They will typically respond within two business days, usually much faster.
Our team's operating hours are:
Monday to Friday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM EST
Does Frida prescribe medications?
Frida prescribes all medications recommended in the Canadian ADHD practice guidelines. If medication is part of your treatment plan, there is no one size fits all — your clinician will recommend medication(s) based on a variety of factors.
If you have anxiety and/or depression (which are common in people with ADHD), your clinician will create a holistic treatment plan, and will also prescribe medication for these conditions.
If you are prescribed medication by Frida, following your initial prescription, your Frida clinician will provide refills following your check-in appointments. Check-ins are scheduled every 4–8 weeks for newer patients, and every 3–6 months for patients who've reached their optimal dose.
Are medication deliveries available everywhere?
Unfortunately, Frida is unable to deliver medications outside of the Greater Calgary and Greater Toronto areas for the time being.
Our regional couriers were not meeting the standards we set out and as such, Affirming Care Pharmacy is working to find a new regional shipping solution that provides a better patient experience. We hope to resume deliveries for all patients in the future.
Patients that live outside of the Greater Calgary and Great Toronto areas will now receive their ADHD medications from their local pharmacy.
How does the medication titration process work?
Titration is a process where your clinician works closely with you to find the optimal dose of medication to maximize benefits and minimize side effects.
Your Frida clinician will recommend the medication they think is best for you.
You will be prescribed a low dose to get you started for the first 30 days.
After 30 days, you'll complete an assessment to help your clinician understand how you're reacting to treatment, and schedule a check-in appointment.
At your check-in appointment, your clinician will discuss how your treatment is going, provide a new prescription, and set the cadence for your check-in appointments going forward — typically every 4 to 8 weeks. Your prescription will last until your next check-in appointment.
Once you've reached your optimal dose — meaning you're seeing positive impact from your treatment with minimal side effects — you'll only need to meet with a Frida clinician every 3 to 6 months.
Do ADHD medications have the potential for misuse/abuse?
The medications that treat ADHD have the potential for misuse and abuse, however, there is no evidence that suggests using stimulant medications as prescribed for ADHD increases your risk of developing substance use disorders (source).
You will have consistent check-ins with our care team to make sure that the prescribed dosage is working for you.
Which medication will I be prescribed?
If you are prescribed medication, your clinician will recommend the medication they think is best for you. This depends on your medical history, symptoms, and unique circumstances. There is no one size fits all approach.
You also may be prescribed non-ADHD medications, such as for anxiety or depression, if your clinician believes these are what you need.
Not everyone is prescribed medication.
Does Frida provide services for other mental health conditions?
At this point in time, Frida is focused on adults with ADHD. However, if you have anxiety and/or depression (which are common in people with ADHD), your Frida clinician will treat these conditions as well.
Pricing and costs
How much does Frida cost?
A full mental health assessment with a Frida clinician, covering ADHD, anxiety, and depression, costs a one-time fee of $599. These assessments — like all treatments at Frida — are provided solely by clinicians with expertise in ADHD and mental health, and they'll work to understand your unique needs and what treatment could help.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, or depression by your clinician, you'll have the option to continue treatment through Frida at a cost of $99 per clinician appointment. As an active Frida patient, you'll have access to discounted prescriptions, medication delivery, patient resources, and messaging with the Frida care team and your clinician.
Frida is covered by private insurers that have an eligible health spending account.
If you need financial support to pay for your diagnostic assessment fee, contact us and we'll help.
I heard Frida offers financial assistance. How does it work?
It's true. Frida has a financial assistance program available, where our company will subsidize the costs of your diagnosis for you.
The best way to learn more about our program and its requirements is to contact our support team at support@talkwithfrida.com. They will provide you with more information, and let you know the income thresholds for application and what you need to do to apply for for financial assistance.
Does Frida accept private insurance?
You will be able to claim Frida's diagnosis & treatment costs if your private insurance plan offers a health spending account.
However, the cost is not covered by private insurance plans that do not have a specific health spending account.
Is medication covered under Frida?
Medication (if prescribed) is not included, but private/public insurance and Frida financial assistance lower the cost of medication.
We'll work with you to find the lowest cost option.
How much do ADHD medications cost?
The cost of medications varies. We can help you lower the cost of almost all the first-line recommended treatments for ADHD in Canada, as per the Canadian ADHD Practice Guidelines.
For people with private insurance, we can usually help you access medication for $0 to $10 per month.
For people without private insurance, the cost is roughly $75 per month.
How can Frida help me save money on medication?
One of the best benefits of being a Frida patient is access to medication at greatly reduced costs.
Over 70% of Frida patients pay less than $20 a month for their medication and 50% of those pay $0 per month.
If you're prescribed a branded medication (such as Concerta or Adderall), the Frida care team will help you find and access co-pay assistance programs from pharmaceutical manufacturers to help you save more.
Which medications can Frida help lower the cost of?
We can help you lower the cost for almost all the first-line recommended treatments for ADHD in Canada, as per the Canadian ADHD Practice Guidelines:
Adderall
Biphentin
Concerta
generic Adderall
Vyvanse
We cannot help you lower the cost of Foquest at this point in time.
What will my cost of medication be after co-pay assistance?
While it depends on the medication you are prescribed and whether you have private insurance, most people with private insurance pay no more than $10 per month.
Most people without private insurance pay $75 per month.
You’ve come this far.
Take the next step.
Take Frida’s free ADHD questionnaire to understand if you might have ADHD, and if Frida could be a fit.
Start your assessment (2-min)