Welcome, I’m Laura
I’m an ADHD therapist, who has ADHD. You don't have to over explain or justify your ADHD to me, because I get it.
I understand the constant overwhelm, frustration or what its like to feel stuck or not enough after years of struggling with things others seem to find ‘easy’. I’ve been there.
I know that real change cant occur from masking or trying to fit a one size fits all therapy approach. Instead, it comes from working with the ADHD, rather than against it.
Why adapted CBT for ADHD?
I believe therapy is not a one size fits all. I know that ADHD affects more than just concentration and memory and often coexists with difficulties like anxiety, depression, low self esteem or perfectionism.
Standard CBT isn’t always designed with ADHD in mind - you shouldn’t have to force yourself or mask to fit a therapy model that doesn’t work for you.
For this reason, Its paramount that therapy is adapted to work with the ADHD when understanding and treating the problem, rather than neglecting it.
I offer CBT, that is based on evidence-based treatments and research, but adapted to fit the ADHD, rather than the other way around.
ADHD adapted CBT works with the ADHD, rather than against it.
I bring both a personal understanding of ADHD and professional knowledge and experiencing in tailoring evidence-based therapies to work for the ADHD.
I believe mental health treatment should be specialised in the same way physical health treatment is. You wouldn’t see a general practitioner for treatment of a heart condition, so why should it be different for mental health?
My therapeutic approaches:
-
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a structured and goal focused approach that helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns or behaviours that may be contributing to your difficulties.
CBT is a highly researched evidence based therapy and is proven effective at treating a range of mental health difficulties. Its a recommended treatment by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for various emotional difficulties.
-
ADHD coaching is a practical intervention that specifically targets the core features of ADHD, including organisation, time management, goal setting and planning.
ADHD coaching not a therapy and is more focused on providing personalised strategies to address the difficulties of ADHD. Coaching can help turn intention into actions, which is a struggle for many people with ADHD.
I draw on skills from this approach to implement practical, action-orientated strategies tailored to managing ADHD, into our therapy sessions.
-
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based therapy that promotes acceptance of difficult thoughts and emotions, rather than trying to suppress or fight them.
ACT can support people to acknowledge emotions, unhook from unhelpful thoughts and move forward in a way which is aligned with their values.
Research shows ACT can be effective for managing ADHD difficulties. Integrating skills from ACT with with CBT can create a powerful approach that addresses symptoms and live a more meaningful life.
-
Dialectal Behavioural Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy that stems from CBT. Its focus is on helping people manage intense emotions, improve communication and interpersonal relationships - all which can be common struggles in ADHD.
DBT has four core skill sets:
emotional regulation -managing difficult emotions so they dont take over
distress tolerance - manage sitting with distress and frustration.
Interpersonal effectiveness - communicating needs clearly with others and setting boundaries.
Mindfulness - being in the here and now, without judgement.
I incorporate skills from DBT into therapy as they provide essential tools to manage ADHD difficulties, especially managing overwhelm, regulate emotions, developing emotional resilience and self-awareness.
-
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a goal-orientated approach designed to strengthen someones motivation and elicit behavioural change.
This approach is not about imposing change on someone. Instead it helps to draw out the persons internal motivation for change and explores and resolve ambivalence for change This approach is rooted in promoting autonomy, self efficacy and self—compassion.
Motivational interviewing can be particularly helpful as a part of adapted CBT treatment. Especially for those feeling particularly demotivated or for people who struggle with task initiation and think ‘i just cant get started’.
-
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is a newer approach designed to support people who struggle with shame, elf-criticism and feeling not good enough - all which are common features among people with ADHD.
This approach integrates techniques from CBT, evolutionary psychology, neuroscience and mindfulness practice.
This approach helps people understand and balance their three emotional systems: threat (protection), drive (motivation) and soothe (calmness). CFT helps to balance these systems to foster empathy and develop self-compassion.
This approach can help people with ADHD manage their inner critic, reduce shame and generate genuine self compassion for themselves.
My main treatment approach is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - a highly researched and effective approach for treating mental health difficulties.
However, I also draw from a range of evidence-based approaches, to ensure that treatment is bespoke for each person and tailored to their individual needs.
Qualifications:
PGdip in Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapy (BABCP accredited)
University of London CBT Training Centre
Postgraduate Certification in Talking Therapy for Long-Term Conditions and Persistent Physical Symptoms
Kings College London University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Registration as a Mental Health Nurse
Kings College London University
Why choose therapy with me:
Therapy Qualifications:
Accredited CBT Therapist.
Further training in therapy approaches specifically for long-term conditions
Evidence-based approaches - rest assured, all the therapeutic approaches I use have a strong research and evidence base.
Tailored Therapy- no rigid cookie-cutter therapy, therapy adapted to fit your needs and your ADHD, not the other way around.
Lived Experience - you don’t need to explain or justify your ADHD to me, I get it on both a personal and professional level
6+ years NHS experience - extensive experience across a wide range of mental health services
Neuro-affirmative Therapy - I won’t judge you for fidgeting, losing focus, avoiding eye contact, or needing to stim. My therapy adapts to fit what works for you, not the other way around.
I keep my caseload intentionally small - I limit the number of people I work with, to refrain from stretching myself too thin so I can ensure to offer the highest quality of care.
Registered Mental Health Nurse - my nursing background gives me a strong understanding of:
Important neurological and biopsychosocial factors behind ADHD.
NICE recommended medications for ADHD, side affects, titration periods and how pharmacological treatments works on the brain
Deeply passionate about ADHD - dedicated to helping you shift from surviving to thriving.
Therapy with me is focused on eliciting change
My therapeutic approach is grounded in action and change-based therapies. That means it will be a focus on doing things to establish change.
If you are interested in exploring the past, we absolutely can do this. However this would be with the intention of understanding how those past events have shaped how you show up in the present and then change any unhelpful patterns in the here and now.
CBT for ADHD is a practical, goal-focused therapy that focuses on giving you coping skills tailored to your specific needs.
We start by getting a clear understanding of the problem and your goals, including particular challenges and unhelpful patterns that may be getting in the way.
Together, we then explore how these difficulties came about and what is keeping them going, so that we can begin to break the cycle
From there, we develop a bespoke approach to introduce strategies and techniques to help elicit change and work towards your personal goals.
Sessions may look like giving you the tools to improve motivation, identify and regulate emotions, stop procrastinating, build self-confidence, create and stick to routines, re-frame unhelpful thoughts, challenge unrealistic expectations, set boundaries, manage overwhelm, break perfectionism or strengthen relationships.
My focus is on giving you real-world , practical techniques that actually work for the ADHD brain which you can implement right away to see changes. No cookie cutter or one size fits all approach.
Throughout the process, you can expect a non-judgemental, and supportive space with someone who truly gets it.
My approach is both trauma-informed and neuroaffirmative, so I wont judge you for fidgeting, losing concentration or avoiding eye contact.
My aim is to help you create a took kit of coping strategies that work for your brain
What does Therapy with you actually look like?
Fees:
Single Session (50 min)
CBT sessions are held online on video call for approximately 50 minutes in duration and generally weekly. People on average do somewhere between 4 - 20 sessions depending on their needs and difficulties. Fortnightly sessions are available.
Sessions are £100.
Prices shown in GBP - payment available in your local currency at the current conversion rate.