Written by Luisa Kos
Table of contents
Understanding ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a common mental health condition that affects how people think, learn, and behave. It is often misunderstood and can present itself in different ways depending on the individual. People with ADHD may experience persistent symptoms, such as difficulty focusing, controlling impulses, or regulating their mood, and these symptoms can have a significant impact on both children and adults, especially in daily life.
It’s important to remember that ADHD is not a reflection of intelligence or ability. With the right treatment and support, individuals with ADHD can manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives. The Therapist Finder offers a range of ADHD services, connecting you with qualified therapists who can provide the support and therapy you need.
What is ADHD
- Maintaining attention on tasks
- Following instructions or completing projects
- Impulse control and emotional regulation
- Restlessness or excessive movement
- Forgetfulness and time management
ADHD Assessment - Getting An ADHD Diagnosis
If you suspect that you or a loved one may have ADHD, getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward receiving the appropriate mental health support. A diagnosis of ADHD is made based on a comprehensive evaluation of the individual’s medical history, a review of their symptoms, and sometimes, behavioural assessments. Diagnosing ADHD involves considering other mental health conditions that may share similar traits, such as mood disorders or oppositional defiant disorder. Here’s what you should know:
- The assessment process may involve a clinical interview to understand your medical history and personal experiences.
- Questionnaires and rating scales, often completed by the individual and caregivers, help gauge the severity of symptoms.
- Observing the individual’s behaviour in different environments may help highlight inattentive symptoms or impulsive symptoms that are key indicators of ADHD.
Once a diagnosis is made, treatment options, including behavioural interventions, can be explored to manage ADHD symptoms and improve quality of life. Early diagnosis is essential to ensure timely support and intervention, which can significantly improve an individual’s overall development.
Children & ADHD
Children with ADHD often face unique challenges, both at home and at school. They may struggle with following instructions, paying attention in class, and managing their impulses. These difficulties can lead to frustration, which may manifest as low self-esteem. It’s important for parents to seek early diagnosis, as behavioural interventions and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can significantly improve a child’s ability to manage their symptoms.
Parents should also consider enrolling their child in support groups to connect with other families facing similar challenges. ADHD support groups can offer helpful strategies and emotional support to both children and their families. These groups also encourage sharing experiences and resources, ensuring that children don’t have to navigate their mental health condition alone.
Adults & ADHD
ADHD doesn’t just affect children; it can persist into adulthood. Adults with ADHD may struggle with maintaining focus at work, managing time, or regulating their emotions, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and poor self-esteem. Additionally, adults with ADHD may be more prone to sleep disorders, which can exacerbate symptoms. ADHD can also present with oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder, complicating its diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment for adults with ADHD often involves a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is particularly effective in addressing mood disorders and helping individuals create structure and routine in their lives. These strategies, along with ongoing mental health support, can help adults with ADHD thrive in both their personal and professional lives.
Therapies For ADHD Symptoms
Therapy plays an important role in managing ADHD. It helps individuals develop the necessary skills to cope with inattentive symptoms, impulsivity, and restlessness. Behavioural interventions, such as CBT, can help individuals gain better control over their emotions and behaviours. Therapies can also address mood disorders that often accompany ADHD, such as anxiety or depression.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is effective in helping individuals change negative thought patterns that affect their behaviour.
- Occupational therapy can provide sensory integration support and help with daily life tasks.
- Speech and language therapy is useful for individuals who struggle with communication and social skills.
By seeking appropriate therapy, individuals with ADHD can better manage their condition and lead more balanced lives.
Medication For ADHD
Medication is often a key component of ADHD treatment, particularly for individuals with moderate to severe symptoms. Stimulant medications are commonly prescribed to help manage impulsive symptoms and improve focus. However, it’s important to note that medication should always be used in combination with behavioural interventions, rather than as a sole treatment.
- Stimulants such as methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine are effective in managing focus and impulse control.
- Non-stimulant medications, such as atomoxetine, are an option for individuals who experience side effects from stimulants.
- Medications for ADHD are often prescribed alongside treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions, such as mood disorders or anxiety.
Medication can be highly effective in managing ADHD symptoms, but it should always be carefully monitored by a healthcare provider to ensure its efficacy and minimise potential side effects.
Self-Help Strategies For ADHD
While therapy and medication are essential for treating ADHD, individuals can also benefit from self-help strategies. By creating structure and routines, individuals with ADHD can reduce the chaos that often leads to careless mistakes and impulsive behaviour. These strategies can empower individuals to take control of their symptoms and improve their daily functioning.
- Establishing consistent routines can help with time management and reduce forgetfulness.
- Using visual aids, such as planners or reminders, can support organisation and task completion.
- Practising mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing, can help manage emotional regulation.
Implementing these strategies can complement professional treatment and improve quality of life for individuals with ADHD.
Get The Support You Need With The Therapist Finder
If you’re struggling with ADHD, don’t navigate this journey alone. The Therapist Finder connects you with experienced professionals who understand ADHD and are qualified to help. Whether you’re seeking therapy for yourself or your child, our directory offers a range of specialists who can provide tailored support. Explore therapists specialising in ADHD services in your area today and find the help you need to manage your symptoms and thrive.
Therapists who can help with ADHD
Tanya Gordon
UKCP registered and MBACP Accredited psychotherapist with an MA in psychotherapy, specialising in work with children, adolescents, and young people as well as adults. I practise from two consulting rooms — in Highgate, North London, and in Barnet — and offer online sessions. I am trauma-informed and neurodivergent-affirming, with specialist expertise in ADHD and autism. I bring a warm, attuned approach to my work with younger clients and their families, as well as offering depth-oriented individual therapy to adults.
Maria Troupkou
I am a qualified Dance Movement Psychotherapist offering individual therapy sessions to children and adults.
Marina Palmer
I am a BACP Accredited Counsellor with twelve years’ experience, offering individual counselling to adults, aged 18 and above. Welcome!
You may be looking for someone to talk to because you feel anxious or worried for what feels like too much the time. Maybe you are more tearful than usual, or you feel flat or low. You don’t feel like yourself anymore. This might be for any number of reasons: you might have experienced adversity, such as a bereavement, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job or the diagnosis of a health condition. You may be feeling stressed at work or at university, suffering from burnout, or you might be overwhelmed with caring responsibilities. You might be struggling with your friendships; with your partner, your parents or a sibling. Or you may simply feel stuck but not know why. Perhaps you have experienced past trauma – you were bullied at school, or you were involved in an accident, or there were problems within the home. You may have experienced abuse or neglect. Together we will seek to understand how your experience has impacted you, so that you are able to make the positive changes needed to move forward with your life. Whether you are facing one of the issues above or another that’s not listed, or you simply want to talk to someone outside of your day-to-day life in order to gain a different perspective, my aim is to support you as best I can. Whatever your reason for reaching out for help, I am available either in person or by video, to talk it through with you.
Maria Ángeles Fajardo Durán
Welcome to Honest Therapy. You may be experiencing low-mood and sadness; overwhelm or anxiety; you may be feeling stuck and unsure how to move forward; you may be faced with a challenging or new situation or maybe you are not feeling understood and experiencing low self-esteem. Working together, we will look at feelings, thoughts and behaviours, past and present, and explore how they connect to help you gain understanding and awareness, allowing us to work towards future goals that will contribute to enhance your wellbeing and thrive in life.
Keren Lewis
M.A in Art Psychotherapy. Experience of working with depression, anxiety, anger, isolation, bereavement, attachment, homelessness, trauma, self harm, interpersonal challenges, neuro diversity and learning disabilities.
Lucy Roberts
UKCP-accredited and BACP-registered psychotherapist and fertility counsellor, based at The Practice in Great Portland Street, London W1W. She holds an MSc in Psychotherapy and Counselling from the New School of Psychotherapy (accredited by Middlesex University), an MA (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Edinburgh, and a Diploma in Foundation Studies in Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling. She is also registered with BICA (the British Infertility Counselling Association), reflecting her specialist expertise in fertility counselling. Before qualifying as a therapist, Lucy worked for five years at the charity Action for Happiness. She works integratively and creatively, drawing from a range of approaches tailored to the individual, and has worked with clients from many different backgrounds and cultures across a wide range of concerns.
Lorraine Tindale
I am an integrative therapist trained in EMDR, cognitive and humanistic approaches, offering a warm and confidential space where you can speak openly about what is causing distress without fear of judgement. I am UKCP registered and an accredited EMDR practitioner with 16 years of experience in counselling and psychotherapy. My work is trauma informed and client led, and together we explore the roots of your difficulties, understand what maintains them, and work to reduce their impact. I believe you are the expert on your own experience, including where it hurts and what you want to change, so we move at a pace that feels right for you, using EMDR and practical therapeutic tools to ease symptoms and support meaningful, lasting change.
Laura Farley
I offer a warm, confidential and non-judgemental space where clients can explore present challenges and understand themselves more clearly. My work is client-led and integrative, drawing on different therapeutic approaches to suit each person’s needs, sometimes including breathing, meditation and visualisation to support the mind–body connection. I have particular experience working with childhood and adolescent trauma, the psychological impact of physical health conditions, psychosexual difficulties, perinatal mental health, and relationship issues, including couples work. My aim is to offer a thoughtful therapeutic relationship that supports deeper understanding and meaningful, lasting change.
Santiago De Ossorno Garcia
I specialise in brief, focused therapy that creates real change, sometimes in just one session, as I am an expert in Single Session and One at the time therapy. My primary approach is solution-focused, drawing on CBT, EMDR (for trauma), person-centred work, and brief strategic interventions, so we use whatever fits your situation rather than a fixed protocol. I support adults and young people with anxiety, depression and low mood, work stress and imposter syndrome, life transitions and grief, OCD and intrusive thoughts, relationship difficulties (individual work, not couples), addiction patterns, and the specific pressures of migration and expat life. Sessions run fully in English or Spanish. Most clients work with me for 1–8 sessions, occasionally extending to 12–16 when needed. Together we get clear on what you want to achieve and track whether our work together is actually helping, so therapy stays focused, honest, and accessible rather than open-ended by default.
Roxanne Black
In my practice, I help clients unpick the internalised beliefs and habits that prevent them from living with integrity. My professional background spans diverse settings, including university counselling services and low-cost therapy providers, giving me a broad perspective on the varied complexities people face. I also have significant experience supporting young adults as they navigate the unique pressures of that life stage. My practice is particularly grounded in: Interpersonal Relationships and the ‘Fixer’ Role: I support individuals who feel overwhelmed by the needs of others, helping them transition from a cycle of people-pleasing to a place of healthy self-assertion. Boundary Work and Self-Value: we focus on the practical and emotional aspects of setting boundaries, whether in your personal life or your professional career, to build a more resilient sense of self. Neurodivergence and Identity: I have extensive experience supporting clients navigating life with a neurodivergent brain, particularly those exploring their identity and patterns post-diagnosis. Culturally Sensitive Practice: Born and raised in London, I am deeply committed to therapy that respects the nuances of diverse cultural backgrounds, ensuring your lived experience is fully seen and heard. Focused Clarity Sessions: For those facing a specific dilemma or needing a professional sounding board, I offer intensive sessions to help you find your voice and a clear path forward without a long-term commitment.
Is There Any ADHD Treatment?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating ADHD. Each individual’s treatment plan should be personalised to meet their specific needs. In addition to therapy and medication, other forms of support may include lifestyle changes and involvement in support groups. For those with persistent symptoms, a combination of treatment options may be necessary to address the different aspects of ADHD.
Early intervention and treatment are essential to managing ADHD successfully. The right support, when provided early, can reduce the impact of ADHD on an individual’s life, allowing them to reach their full potential.
Supporting Children and Adults With ADHD
Supporting both children and adults with ADHD requires a holistic approach, considering all aspects of their mental health. This includes behavioural interventions, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. By addressing not just the symptoms but also the underlying emotional challenges, individuals with ADHD can experience long-term improvements in their daily functioning.
For children, involving parents and caregivers in the treatment process can ensure that the strategies developed are implemented consistently at home. For adults, therapy and support groups can provide ongoing mental health support, helping them manage their symptoms in a way that fits with their lifestyle.
At The Therapist Finder, we can also help you find therapists who specialise in multiple disciplines – from ADHD & autism to anxiety and depression, getting the treatment you need has never been easier.
Need Help? Contact The Therapist Finder Now
If you or a loved one is struggling with ADHD, The Therapist Finder can help you connect with professionals who specialise in ADHD support. Browse our directory to find therapists who can provide the help and guidance you need. Reach out today and take the first step toward managing your ADHD symptoms and living a fulfilling life. Our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way. Back to The Therapist Finder.