Starting ADHD Specialist Therapy: What to Expect with The ADHD Psychologist
Wondering what to expect when starting ADHD specialist therapy? Whether or not you’ve engaged in therapy before, starting something new can feel daunting. Here's my simple three-step plan to help you understand what to expect, so you can decide if booking a consultation session feels right for you.
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Step 1
Register with the Client Portal in just a few clicks to check my availability and book your consultation session.
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Step 2
You’ll receive a welcome email with further guidance, and a short enquiry form to help you prepare for your consultation session.
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Step 3
We’ll talk through what’s brought you to therapy and what you’re looking for. With this in mind, I’ll let you know more about how I work and what I can offer you in your personal circumstances.
If we agree to work together, we can talk further to figure out starting regular sessions at a time that suits you.
General Information about Consultation Sessions
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The consultation session lasts 45 minutes, the same as regular therapy sessions.
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Often by the end of the initial consultation session we’ll each have a sense of whether there’s a good enough fit between us for sessions to be helpful to you.
If we need more time to further understand your situation and whether I can support you, I might invite you to a second consultation session.
There's no obligation to take this up or make a decision during the session. You’re welcome to take the time you need to figure out what feels right to you.
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I no longer offer introductory telephone calls since a consultation session better allows each of us the time to gain a fuller picture of your situation and what I can offer you towards what you want and need.
If either of us feels we're not the right fit, I’d be happy to help you explore further options.
Whatever the case may be, my aim is for you to come away from the consultation session with a clearer idea of the next steps for you to gain the support you need.
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Usually, yes. I tend to offer consultation sessions when I’ve got space coming up for regular therapy sessions at the same time. For example, if you can see there’s a consultation session available to book on a Tuesday at 3PM on the Client Portal, it means I can likely offer you regular therapy sessions on Tuesdays at 3PM within a couple of weeks.
We can speak more to arrange a start date at the end of your consultation session, or over email if you prefer.
Many find that within a session or two they begin to experience some initial relief, and a taste of hope and change to come.
Consultation Session Information for Parents and Partners
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I encourage parents to ask their child if they'd like them to join at the start. Since regular sessions are one-to-one with your child, your presence would mainly be to help them feel comfortable meeting me.
If they’d like you to join, I’ll check in with them after 5–10 minutes to see whether they're comfortable enough to continue on their own.
At the end of the session, if your child wants to return to see me, I might invite you back in for a few minutes to help arrange future sessions.
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If your child would like you to join the consultation, I’ll begin by explaining the practicalities of how the sessions work, especially around confidentiality so that everyone is on the same page of understanding.
During the session, I’ll focus on speaking with your child to get an idea of what’s been going on for them in their own words. At some point, I might ask for your perspective, such as what you’ve noticed, and your thoughts on what might be happening from your point of view.
I’ll also check in with your child about how it is for them to hear your thoughts, and whether there’s anything more they’d like to add while you’re present.
Once your child feels comfortable enough, I’ll invite you to step out, so we can continue to speak one-to-one.
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I understand how difficult it can be when someone you care about is struggling but isn’t ready or willing to seek support. For therapy to be helpful, your child or partner needs to be at least open to attending an initial consultation.
I have a lot of experience working with people who start off reluctant, unsure, or even convinced that therapy won’t help. If they’re willing to meet for just one consultation, I’ll begin by checking in with them about any concerns they have and help them talk through these. By the end of the session, they can decide for themselves whether they’d like to continue, and we’ll take it step by step. In my experience, most people are open to this approach, but it’s important that the choice is theirs.
If they’re not willing to engage at all, I’ll always respect that and would be happy to meet with you instead. When someone you care about is struggling, it can really take a toll. Seeking support for yourself can make a big difference, and I’d be glad to explore options with you.
Consultation Session Information for Young People
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It's completely understandable if you feel a little unsure or even uneasy about talking to someone new, especially when you’re not sure what to expect. The first step is simply showing up, and knowing there’s really no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ thing to say.
I’ll help guide the conversation by asking some simple questions to get an idea of what life is like for you. For example, I might be curious about who and what matters to you, and how you’ve been in your day-to-day life.
We can also talk about anything else on your mind that's important to you or has been bothering you.
There’s no pressure to share anything you’re not ready to. My aim to start with is to create a space where you can feel comfortable and heard.
If by the end of the session you’d like to return to speak with me again, we can arrange this.
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When you arrive, I’ll ask if you’d like whoever brought you to join us for the first 5–10 minutes. It’s completely up to you.
It’s really important to me that you have the chance to settle in and feel comfortable enough to talk freely. I understand this can take time, and there’s no rush.
Everything you share with me stays between us, unless you tell me something that makes me worried about your immediate safety. If that happened, it would be important to share it with others who can help keep you safe. Even then, where possible, we’d talk about it first and work out a way through it together.
It’s always your choice what you tell your parents about our sessions, you don’t have to share anything unless you want to.
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Yes, I have a whole tray of fidgets for you to use in sessions if you wish to. You’re also welcome to bring your own if you prefer.