The Real Impact of Adult ADHD

Adult ADHD isn't just about being "a little disorganised" or "having trouble focusing." It's a neurodevelopmental condition that can have a significant, and often painful, impact on daily life. From strained relationships and professional setbacks to persistent feelings of low self-worth and anxiety, the symptoms of ADHD can create a constant uphill battle.

Many adults with ADHD have developed deeply ingrained negative thought patterns and behaviours as a way of coping (or not coping) with their challenges. They might believe they are "lazy" or "incapable," when in reality, their brain is simply wired differently. This is where a targeted therapeutic approach becomes invaluable.

How Therapy Can Truly Help Adults with ADHD

For many adults, an ADHD diagnosis is a moment of both profound relief and overwhelming uncertainty. Suddenly everything makes sense....the constant struggles with organisation, impulsivity, and emotional regulation. Whilst a diagnosis may explain the 'why' but the question remains: "What now?"

While medication can be helpful for some, even then, it's only one part of the solution. This is where therapy comes in, and I'm so excited to share that I'm taking the next step in my professional journey to better serve my clients with ADHD.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy for adult ADHD is not about "fixing" the person. It's about providing a structured, supportive environment to understand and manage the specific challenges of ADHD. Here's a look at some of the ways therapy can help:

• Skill Building: Therapy can teach practical, actionable skills to manage core symptoms. This includes strategies for time management, organisation, and breaking down large, overwhelming tasks into manageable steps.
• Cognitive Restructuring: One of the most powerful tools is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT helps individuals identify and challenge the negative thought patterns and beliefs that have accumulated over a lifetime of struggles. By replacing self-criticism with more realistic and positive self-talk, clients can improve their self-esteem and build resilience.
• Emotional Regulation: ADHD is often associated with emotional dysregulation, leading to feelings of frustration, irritability, and being easily overwhelmed. Therapy can provide tools and techniques to better understand and manage these intense emotions.
• Addressing Co-occurring Conditions: Many adults with ADHD also experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. A skilled therapist can provide a holistic approach, addressing these co-occurring issues and their interplay with ADHD symptoms.
• Improving Relationships: Impulsivity and forgetfulness can strain relationships. Therapy can help individuals develop better communication skills and problem-solving strategies, while also helping loved ones better understand the unique challenges of ADHD.

My Commitment to My Clients

I've worked with many clients who have either had an official diagnosis or believe they have symptoms of Adult ADHD. I am keen to deepen my knowledge and enhance my ability to better help my clients, who want to find ways to manage their specific difficulties relating to Adult ADHD.

So, I am very excited to be embarking on a specialised training program. Certificate in Adult ADHD (L5), teaches health professionals new and exciting ways to conceptualise and make sense of Adult ADHD, enabling them to support clients with Adult ADHD creatively, holistically and therapeutically.

This training is not just about learning a new set of techniques; it's about gaining a more profound understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of ADHD and how to apply evidence-based strategies that are specifically tailored to the ADHD brain. I will be focusing on approaches that combine the practical, skill-building aspects of coaching with the deep, reflective work of therapy. My goal is to empower my clients to not only manage their symptoms but to truly thrive, leveraging their unique strengths and building a life that works with their brain, not against it.

I'm incredibly excited about this new chapter and look forward to bringing this specialised knowledge to my practice to help even more people on their journey to being able to thrive with Adult ADHD