Therapy for ADHD
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control and self regulation. These differences can influence how a person thinks, feels, and manages daily tasks. With growing recognition of how symptoms can present differently across genders - such as predominantly inattentive types and the ability to “mask” or compensate - diagnoses have increased significantly in Australia.
While this growing awareness has helped many people finally make sense of their lifelong struggles, it can also come with misunderstanding or dismissal of how challenging ADHD can be. Some people may learn to compensate and appear outwardly functional, but the ongoing effort of doing so often leads to emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and chronic stress or burnout. It’s also common for people with ADHD to experience co-occurring difficulties such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders or substance use - often as a result of living life on “hard mode”.
Medication is often a helpful first line treatment for ADHD and can make daily functioning easier by supporting focus and reducing overwhelm. However, psychological therapy plays an important role in helping ADHDers understand their minds, develop adaptive coping strategies, and build self-compassion for the ways their brains work differently.
Therapy can help by:
Reducing overwhelm and mental load by re-prioritising and simplifying your life
Building emotional awareness and regulation skills to support healthy relationships
Challenging self-criticism, shame, and perfectionism related to masking or past misunderstanding
Developing practical systems and routines that align with your natural energy patterns
Recognising and replacing unhelpful coping strategies with sustainable ones
Reconnecting with your strengths, creativity, and curiosity
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, self-identifying, or have known about your ADHD for years, therapy offers a space to make sense of your experiences and find approaches that actually fit you.
At Inner Northern Psychology in Fitzroy, our psychologists take a neurodiversity-affirming approach - valuing difference rather than trying to “fix” it. Jess and Phoebe have a particular interest in supporting adults with ADHD to better understand their emotional world, strengthen relationships, and create balance in daily life.
If this resonates with you, reach out to book an appointment or learn more about how therapy can help you work with your brain, not against it.