Find an ADHD Therapist

Understanding ADHD and how it can affect you

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental presentation that can affect how you focus, manage time and regulate impulses. For some people it appears more as inattentiveness - difficulty sustaining concentration or organising tasks - while for others hyperactivity and impulsivity are more prominent. Many adults describe strengths alongside challenges - creativity, rapid idea generation and moments of intense focus - but also ongoing practical difficulties such as missed deadlines, disorganised paperwork and strained relationships.

ADHD does not look the same for everyone. It can change across the life course and interact with other aspects of your wellbeing, such as low mood, anxiety or sleep disruption. Because of this variation, therapy that pays attention to your personal patterns and day-to-day routines can be particularly helpful. A therapist will work with you to understand how ADHD affects your life and to develop strategies that suit your priorities.

Signs you might benefit from therapy for ADHD

You might consider therapy if you regularly find it hard to start or finish tasks, lose track of appointments, or feel overwhelmed by organisation and planning. If you notice repeated misunderstandings at work or home, frequent procrastination, or emotional responses that feel out of proportion to a situation, therapy can offer tools to manage those patterns. Many people seek help when symptoms interfere with career progression, study, parenting or relationships, or when coping strategies that once worked no longer do.

Therapy can be helpful whether you are newly diagnosed, exploring the possibility of ADHD, or have lived with it for years. You might look for support to build better routines, to manage distractibility in a work setting, or to work through feelings of frustration, guilt or low self-esteem that have developed around ongoing struggles. Therapy is also useful alongside medical and educational advice from GPs, psychiatrists or educational professionals if you choose to pursue assessment or medication.

What to expect in ADHD-focused therapy sessions

Early sessions typically begin with assessment and listening. Your therapist will ask about your history, daily habits, strengths and the particular difficulties you want to address. This is a collaborative process - you and your therapist will set clear goals together rather than following a one-size-fits-all plan. Sessions commonly include a mix of psychoeducation about how ADHD can affect attention and behaviour, practical skills training and reflection on how strategies apply to your life.

Therapy often blends short-term skill-building with longer-term work on emotional patterns. You can expect to practise techniques between sessions, such as breaking tasks into smaller steps, experimenting with scheduling strategies, or using brief attention exercises. Progress is usually measured in terms of how your daily routines and stress levels change, and how well you are meeting the specific goals you set at the start. Session length and frequency vary; many people start with weekly appointments and then move to fortnightly or monthly check-ins as skills become established.

Working with children, young people and families

When you are seeking help for a child or adolescent, therapy commonly involves parents or carers as partners. Sessions may cover behaviour strategies, routines at home, school liaison and support with homework routines. Practitioners who specialise in child and adolescent work will often combine guidance for caregivers with direct sessions for the young person, tailored to their developmental stage and learning style.

Common therapeutic approaches used for ADHD

Cognitive behavioural approaches are widely used to help you spot the thoughts and routines that maintain difficulties and to build alternative strategies. Practical coaching-style work focuses on planning, time management and task initiation, giving you concrete tools to use day-to-day. For emotional regulation and impulsivity, techniques drawn from dialectical behaviour therapy or mindfulness-based approaches can be effective in helping you tolerate strong feelings and respond more deliberately.

Acceptance and commitment approaches invite you to clarify values and develop flexible strategies that support a meaningful life, even when attention or motivation fluctuates. Parent training programmes can help caregivers develop consistent routines and positive reinforcement strategies for children. Where necessary, therapists will work alongside other professionals - for example educational psychologists or GPs - to coordinate support and referrals without duplicating roles.

How online therapy works for ADHD

Online therapy offers practical access to specialists who may not be available locally. Sessions commonly take place by video call, but you may also find therapists who offer phone or messaging options for brief check-ins. You will usually receive resources by email or through a client portal - these can include worksheets, scheduling templates and short recordings to reinforce skills between sessions.

To get the most from remote work, prepare a quiet area for sessions where you can focus without interruptions and have any materials you need to hand. Technical requirements are modest - a stable internet connection, a webcam or smartphone and headphones can help maintain clarity. Many people appreciate the convenience of attending from home or from a workplace break, while others prefer in-person appointments; the best choice depends on your concentration style and environment.

Tips for choosing the right therapist for ADHD

When you begin your search, look for practitioners who state experience with ADHD and who are registered or accredited with recognised professional bodies such as BACP, HCPC or NCPS. Registration indicates that a practitioner follows professional standards and ongoing professional development. Beyond registration, consider asking about their typical approach to ADHD, whether they include coaching or skills-based work, and how they measure progress.

It helps to ask about logistics - session length, fees, cancellation policies and whether they offer remote appointments - so you can judge whether their style fits your routine. Think about the kind of support you want: do you need help with daily organisation, emotional regulation, workplace strategies or family communication? A therapist who aligns their methods with your priorities will be easier to work with and more likely to produce practical changes.

Trust and rapport matter. You can often book an initial consultation or brief phone call to get a sense of how the therapist communicates and whether you feel comfortable with their style. If you are balancing ADHD with other health or educational interventions, ask how the therapist collaborates with other professionals. Finally, allow yourself permission to try a few sessions and reassess - it is normal to refine choices until you find a working partnership that fits.

Finding the best next step

Seeking help for ADHD is a practical, strengths-based step that many people find empowering. Whether you want strategies for day-to-day organisation, support with emotion and motivation, or help to navigate work and relationships, a therapist who understands ADHD can tailor their approach to your life. Use profiles to compare experience, approaches and formats, and choose a practitioner who offers the combination of practical tools and reflective work that feels right for you.

If you have not yet had a formal assessment but think ADHD may be relevant, a therapist can help you explore next steps and refer you to medical or educational professionals where appropriate. Starting the conversation is the important first move - a few targeted sessions can provide clarity, new strategies and a clearer path forward for managing attention and behaviour in ways that match your goals.