Live Webinar
ADHD in the therapy room
Wednesday 26th February 2025
6.30pm – 8.30pm
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition affecting approximately 4-5% of the population. ADHD comes with many challenges, one of which is emotional regulation. Due to this, a much higher percentage of clients coming to therapy will have ADHD. Many of these clients won’t even know it.
Other challenges mean clients can be more difficult to work with due to erratic schedules, tiredness, inconsistency with homework, and therapists not understanding the nuances of the ADHD brain.
Join me on this two hour workshop where I will explain what ADHD is, how the ADHD brain is different, and what you can consider when working with ADHD clients.
What is
ADHD?
We will look at the differences in the brain structure, neurotransmitters and how it affects people. We’ll also look at the diagnostic criteria, and also the real daily struggles people encounter.
We’ll also look at the strengths of ADHD and how to encourage growth and confidence using their natural strengths.
ADHD is a poorly named condition that is not only inaccurate, but promotes shame. We’ll look at why every challenge has an associated strength which can be used to encourage growth in the clients.
What’s different in the ADHD brain?
Brain development rate is different in the ADHD brain, meaning children often grow up thinking they’re different to their peers.
Dopamine and other neurotransmitters are less available ADHD, slowing down the transport of information around certain regions of the brain.
We’ll look at executive functions – (the brains toolkit for success) – and how they are affected, meaning everyday tasks that some may take for granted can be a lot more difficult.
We will also look at the numerous benefits of ADHD and how as therapists we can help them utilise their strengths, not only in the therapy room but in life going forwards.
Typical ADHD client differences
Clients with ADHD often come to the therapy room with a variety of challenges. One of the executive functions is emotional regulation, so therapy work can be more intense. Clients bring a high level of shame, anger, anxiety, and guilt.
Time management can be challenging making session timing, and homework management more challenging.
The ADHD brain can work very fast having more thoughts every day. This is great for creativity and problem solving, but not so great when the critical voice takes over. We will cover many other differences along with simple, effective strategies to help you as a therapist succeed with ADHD clients.
What we will cover
What is ADHD?
Common misconceptions of ADHD
What is different in the ADHD brain
Executive functions
Common co-occurring conditions
Spotting ADHD in clients
Adult ADHD Screening tool
When and how (and if) to broach the subject of ADHD
Common presenting problems
Useful interventions
Strengths of ADHD
Brief overview of ADHD medication
Further resources
The webinar will take place on Zoom. The zoom link will appear after booking, and is included in the downloadable calendar link. It will also be emailed to you a couple of days before.
This session will be recorded and will be sent out to everyone that signs up.
David Flavin
David is an integrative therapist accredited with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and the National Hypnotherapy Society. He specialises in working with Adults with ADHD, using modalities such as Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Hypnotherapy and Mindfulness.
David has a diagnosis of ADHD himself and uses these therapy techniques to manage his own ADHD.
Twice a month David runs talks and support groups for leading national ADHD charity, ADHD UK.
