FAQs

What therapy do you offer?

CBT for ADHD offers bespoke, tailored therapy to ADHDers, those around them and non-ADHDers. All treatments use evidence based CBT based therapeutic techniques, including Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT). Treatment which integrates techniques form each of these models is often used to tailor therapy to effectively meet your needs goals and aims. All therapies are via telephone or video call and times can usually be arranged to suit your needs.

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For more details about the therapy, and other services we offer, click here

 

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What is CBT?

CBT is a collaborative, goal focused and active talking therapy which focuses on what is happening for you in the present, whilst recognising the impact of your past experiences and addressing these where needed. It encourages practice outside of sessions to embed the work covered in the therapy session within your daily life. Working with your therapist, you become aware of your thoughts, behaviours, emotions and physical symptoms and the cycles these create which unintendedly reinforce themselves and impact how you feel. This can include specific trauma focused CBT to address symptoms of PTSD if needed. You will then explore and build personalised strategies to break these cycles using CBT techniques which challenge your beliefs and/or behaviours to reduce your distress and enable you to live the life you want. 

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Whilst many CBT techniques can be tailored to support ADHDers and can be used to manage troublesome ADHD traits, as well as to support any co-occuring mental health issues such as rejection sensitive dysphoria or low self-esteem, some ADHDers can find that traditional CBT is not effective to meet their needs. At CBT for ADHD we tailor all of our CBT techniques to work specifically with ADHDers’ brains, but we are also able to use ACT and CFT techniques which are form the wider family of CBT based therapies and offer alternative approaches to help you live your best life. 

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For more, general, information on CBT click here

 

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What is ACT?

 ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is an active, goal focused, behavioural, third wave, CBT therapy. It encourages practice outside of sessions to embed the work covered in the therapy session within your daily life. It focuses on working in the present, whilst referencing the impact of past experiences, by helping you unhook from distressing emotions, memories and beliefs which are keeping you stuck in unhelpful cycles. ACT encourages you to use your emotions as a guide and encourages you to make choices which allow you to live your life in a meaningful way, supporting your genuine interests and desires and enabling you to live your best life.

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At CBT for ADHD all of our therapies are tailored to work with ADHD brains and ACT can also be used to support with managing troublesome ADHD traits as well as mental health issues.

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For more, general, information on ACT click here

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What is CFT?

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is an active, goal focused, third wave, CBT therapy which focuses on supporting individuals with difficulties managing strong emotions, especially shame and guilt. CFT can be especially helpful for ADHDers who have become very critical of themselves, or others, or who have strong distressing memories which of times when they felt shamed or ashamed. It encourages practice outside of sessions to embed the work covered in the therapy session within your daily life. It focuses on working in the present, whilst recognising the impact of past experiences and addressing these when needed. CFT helps you build a new relationship with yourself, and others, which reflects your true self. It enables you to uncover your authentic self and develop sustainable motivation, recognise your genuine needs and find ways for these needs to be met so that you can live your best life.

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At CBT for ADHD all of our therapies are tailored to work with ADHD brains. CFT can also be used to support with managing troublesome ADHD traits as well as mental health issues.

 

For more, general, information on CFT click here

 

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Do you offer assessment and diagnosis for ADHD?

CBT for ADHD does not currently offer assessment or diagnosis for ADHD. 

For information on ADHD assessment click here

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Can you diagnose me with mental health issues eg. depression or anxiety?

CBT for ADHD does not currently offer a diagnostic service for any conditions. Should you require diagnosis we would encourage you to speak with your GP.

 

 

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How many sessions will I have?

The number of sessions you have will depend on what your needs and aims for therapy are. Many people find that attending around 12 sessions creates the change that they are looking for, however for some people more or fewer sessions are required.

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Following initial consultation if we agree that CBT for ADHD may be able to offer you appropriate support you would be invited to book a full assessment which takes approximately 1 hour. Following this further appointments would be scheduled as appropriate to your needs and therapy goals/aims. During treatment there is regular discussion around progress with further sessions scheduled as required to meet your needs and goals/aims. Sessions are scheduled weekly whenever possible in order to most effectively facilitate change.

 

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Are all sessions by video call?

CBT for ADHD offers both video and telephone sessions, however video sessions are required for trauma focused therapy.

 

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Do you work with children?

CBT for ADHD does not currently offer therapy to individuals under the age of 16 years.

 

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Can you help me with PIP?

CBT for ADHD is unable to write reports for any legal proceedings or to support PIP applications or appeals. With your consent we will write to your GP at discharge and you may request a copy of this letter. 

For more information about the data we hold and your rights please click here

 

Do you offer support for addictions eg drugs and alcohol?

CBT for ADHD is not a specialist substance use service and we would often encourage you to seek support form specialist services at least initially to support you with reducing substance use as it can impact your ability to engage with, and gain from, therapy. 

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Therapy can be challenging and it is important that you have strategies in place to prevent an increase in potentially risky, or harmful, behaviours whilst in therapy.

For further information on finding specialist substance use services click here

 

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What if I have thoughts of suicide?

It is always important to be honest with your therapist to ensure you receive the care you need. 

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CBT for ADHD is not a crisis service, however we understand that many people experience thoughts of suicide from time to time, with no plans or intention to act on these thoughts. Where this happens it is important to discuss this with your therapist as it can usually be safely manages within your therapy. Similarly we would encourage you to discuss any self-harming thoughts or behaviours, which are not causing significant harm or injury, with your therapist at your next session. These too can often be safely managed within therapy. At times it may be that we suggest, or refer, you for alternative support where we do not feel that we are able to meet your current needs. We would always look to discuss this with you prior to any referrals being made. 

 

Please note that ensuring your own safety is your responsibility at all times. CBT for ADHD is not able to take responsibility for any harm to yourself or others.

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If you need urgent support with keeping yourself safe please call 111, 999 or go to A&E.

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For non-urgent support around suicide you may find the following services helpful:

Call Samaritans on 116123

Text "shout" to 85258 

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For non-urgent support managing self-harm you may find the following app helpful:

Download the Calm Harm app (Android/Apple)

 

If you feel others are at immediate risk of harm please call 999 

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For less urgent support regarding risk to others you may find the following services helpful:

Social services

Police 101 (information sharing)