ADHD

ADHD is something I am passionate about. I have specialised in working with ADHD for over 15 years, and it is also part of my family life: my son has ADHD. I know from both sides of the therapy room how much difference the right understanding and support can make.

What is ADHD?

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition. It affects how the brain manages attention, focus, energy, impulses and emotions. It is not caused by bad parenting, laziness or a lack of willpower, and it is not something people simply grow out of. Many adults only discover they have ADHD later in life, often after years of feeling that they were "getting it wrong".

ADHD looks different in different people. Some of the things people often experience include:

People with ADHD also bring a great many strengths, such as creativity, energy, humour, curiosity and the ability to think differently. Therapy can help you understand yourself better and make the most of those strengths.

My background in ADHD

I have worked with children, young people, adults and families affected by ADHD for over 15 years. I worked as a counsellor at the ADHD Foundation in Liverpool, delivering counselling and CBT to young people with ADHD and autism, and ADHD has remained a specialism throughout my work.

As a parent of a son with ADHD, I also understand the day-to-day reality for families: the worries, the battles for the right support, and the moments of pride. That lived experience shapes the way I work.

I also share what I have learned with other professionals, through training for counsellors and therapists and through my book on ADHD informed therapy.

How I can help

ADHD informed therapy means the sessions are shaped around the way your brain works. That might mean a clear structure, shorter or more flexible sessions, reminders, visual tools, or simply space to move around and think out loud. You will never be judged for being late, forgetting something or going off on a tangent.

Together we might work on:

• Understanding your ADHD and what it means for you
• Managing big emotions, frustration and anger
• Rebuilding self-esteem and letting go of shame
• Anxiety, low mood and overwhelm
• Practical strategies for organisation, time and motivation
• Relationships at home, at work or at school
• Coming to terms with a diagnosis later in life
• Support for parents and families of children with ADHD

You do not need a formal diagnosis to work with me. I do not diagnose ADHD myself, but I can talk with you about the assessment process and where to find it.

My book

ADHD-Informed Therapy: A Practical Guide to Supporting Adults with ADHD
Published October 2026, 177 pages

My book is a practical guide for counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, coaches and other helping professionals who want to feel more confident supporting adults with ADHD. It covers how ADHD shows up in adulthood, its impact on emotions, relationships and self-esteem, and practical ways to adapt therapy, with a toolkit of exercises, worksheets and reflection prompts.

The goal is not to fix people with ADHD. The goal is to understand them, support them, and help them thrive.

Listen: Spelling out ADHD

You can hear more about ADHD on my podcast, The Therapy Shed. The episode "Spelling out ADHD" is a good place to start. Listen on the podcast page.

Useful links

• Headstuff ADHD Therapy: specialist ADHD therapy, coaching and diagnosis for children, adolescents and adults
• NHS: ADHD: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
• ADHD UK: information and support for adults and families

Are you a counsellor or therapist? I run "ADHD in the Therapy Room", a CPD course on ADHD informed practice, through Mersey Mind CPD.