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Have traditional approaches to self-improvement left you feeling stuck? Could a more creative, out-of-the-box strategy help you find solutions that fit your unique style? Perhaps having a counsellor with ADHD is just what you need!
ADHD is often talked about as a negative thing, or a liability. So it’s easy to gloss over the fact that there are numerous brilliant and inspiring people who have ADHD or displayed distinct ADHD traits in their time. The ADHD Hall of Fame includes people like Henry Ford, Mozart, Simone Biles, Richard Branson, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Agatha Christie, Robin Williams, and many more.
Here are ten ways ADHD can bring some magic to your counselling journey:
Relatability: If you have ADHD (or suspect that you may have it) there are a million and one things you won’t need to explain to your counsellor - we’ll automatically get it and will probably even share a few laughs with you along the way
Superpowers in pattern recognition: Counsellors with ADHD typically excel at recognising patterns that others might miss. We’re talking about patterns with your thinking and beliefs, your partner, your relationships or history in general. Combine this with our inquisitiveness and you never know what valuable insights we’ll unearth for you!
Ability to follow tangents: If you’re dealing with trauma or lots of inner conflict, it’s going to be difficult to think and speak as clearly as usual. With an ADHD counsellor, you never have to worry about being confusing, or not being understood, because following tangents are one of our specialties. We won’t be fazed if your session goes from emotional struggles to a rant about why socks always disappear in the laundry - we absolutely get it!
Comfort with the unpredictable: Being accustomed to dealing with curveballs is another thing we excel at. A counsellor who’s lived with unpredictability won’t be thrown off if your tech isn’t cooperating for the session, or if you realise you need to reschedule due to having an overwhelming week. Things happen. Most of us are extremely flexible and accommodating.
Unique problem-solving approach: ADHD brains tend to think outside the box. An ADHD therapist is likely to use non-traditional, creative problem-solving methods and strategies tailored to your specific needs and personal style to support your progress. If you find plain old CBT boring and perhaps invalidating, we can offer something much more interesting.
Realistic expectations: We understand that progress isn’t linear and will help you be more compassionate with yourself when you feel like you’re not gaining traction. We’ve had to overcome countless invisible obstacles on our own, so we’ve learnt the importance of regrouping, reframing and adjusting expectations.
Understanding that deep sense of isolation: Being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world - especially when you don’t even know it yet - can be a lonely, isolating experience. If you’re struggling internally while looking around, wondering how everyone else seems to be managing so well…we know exactly what this feels like.
Living with emotional dysregulation: Many people with ADHD experience heightened emotions which feel all-consuming at times. Counsellors with ADHD know firsthand how emotions like frustration, shame or overwhelm can derail your day, week or month… We can help you navigate these emotional spikes with empathy and practical guidance, rather than clinical detachment.
Breaking the shame cycle: Many people with ADHD carry a deep sense of shame from feeling like they don’t fit in or can’t keep up with neurotypical expectations. As ADHD therapists, we understand the shame struggle firsthand. We’ll support you in exploring those feelings and help you see setbacks in a new light, so you can move forward and build healthier habits without being weighed down by self-blame.
Mindful of burnout: Most people with ADHD experience some form of burnout, often due to the exhaustion of having to fit into a neurotypical world. Counsellors who have experienced burnout can help you spot the early warning signs and build in strategies. Rather than expecting you to just push harder, we can offer a more sustainable approach.
In short, having a counsellor with ADHD means you’re getting someone who’s lived the struggle, mastered the workarounds, and is ready to embrace your uniqueness. It’s like having a co-pilot who’s been through the turbulence and knows the best routes to smoother skies.