In most cases, getting that ADHD diagnosis can bring huge relief but then quite quickly you come to the conclusion of: “What now? The medication may help you to focus but unfortunately it does not undo all the years that you have struggled to perhaps reach deadlines, feeling ‘too much’ around people and so on. This is where ADHD psychotherapy comes into play. Below we go through how it works and who it is for.
Firstly, we would just like to make it clear that therapy is not a substitute for proper assessment, if you suspect that you have ADHD but haven’t been diagnosed, then ADHD assessment should be your first step.
Once you have received diagnosis, the therapy will offer structured and practical help that those with ADHD struggle with day to day”
This applies to both adults and young people, but we tend to work slightly different with each age group.
Good psychotherapy for ADHD isn’t generic talking therapy, it is an adapted version to help with how ADHD brains work. Our team will draw down from three main approaches:
Neurodivergent-informed psychotherapy often works best when tailored to you. In this case we often blend multiple approaches rather than just sticking to the one. This allows us to see what works best for you and helps achieve the best results.
Often, for best results, people will combine therapy appointments with the medication. The medication helps you to focus long enough to put new strategies into practice with the therapy helping you build new skills and self-understanding. It is important to note that the medication alone will not do this.
Having this all under one roof at Dr Jo Gee, it provides greater communication and support as we are able to share information easier. With your consent of course. Avoids those conversations of asking whether they have spoken with your psychiatrist and vice versa.
It is common for your GP to decline shared care which can be stressful but this is because some GPs are not able to/ willing to prescribe based off a private diagnosis. Particularly if the dosage is still being adjusted. Your options usually include the following:
So, if you are weighing up whether a private psychiatrist in Surrey is the right choice, we are happy to talk through your options and provide honest feedback.
We will always adapt sessions for children and adolescents. This includes shorter sessions, more visual/ hands-on activities with a strong focus on practical strategies. We will often get parents involved to help provide support with learning strategies to use at home. With your permission we can also share these recommendations with your school.
You may be asked if a parent or someone you knew as a younger child can contribute towards your assessment. This is because clinicians want to understand how things looked when you were younger not just now as ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition.
ADHD and autism often overlap and where both are present, counselling and autism-informed support can sit alongside ADHD work. Psychotherapy for autism will focus more on sensory needs, burnout and social energy. You can opt in to get a combined ADHD and autism assessment which can be helpful if you believe the signs could be there.
When considering a therapist, it is always worth asking the following:
Worth noting that the first two sessions often cover history, your current goals and challenges. Followed by a shared plan with your first practical strategies.
Our sessions are available both in Guildford and online. if you are planning on doing it through health insurance then please check this accordingly as some policies exclude neurodevelopmental conditions.
If you are unsure on where to begin, whether you need therapy or even an assessment. Simply give us a call and we can answer your questions and work out what/ if you require any support.