Adult ADHD Psychologist Perth | Mind Harbour Psychology (Hillarys)

You’re not “lazy” (ugh). You might be overloaded.

Many people come to therapy after years of pushing through with willpower, shame, and last-minute adrenaline. On the outside they look capable. On the inside it can feel like constant catch-up, scattered attention, and a mind that won’t switch off.

ADHD isn’t just about concentration. It often affects planning, motivation, emotional regulation, rejection sensitivity, self-talk, sleep patterns, and relationships. The result can be burnout, underachievement, or feeling like you’re never quite meeting your own potential. (ugh).

When adult ADHD shows up in real life

People often recognise ADHD in themselves through patterns like:

• Starting with good intentions, then losing momentum halfway through

• Procrastination that looks like avoidance but feels like paralysis

• Hyperfocus on the “wrong” thing and missing what matters

• Forgetfulness, time-blindness, and chronic lateness

• Big emotional spikes: irritability, rejection sensitivity, shame spirals

• A messy cycle of overcommitting, crashing, and trying again

• Relationship friction around mental load, communication, or follow-through

• Work stress: inconsistent output, missed details, or performance anxiety

If you’re reading that and thinking “yep, that’s me”, you’re not alone.

What therapy for adult ADHD looks like here

This isn’t a rigid, one-size-fits-all kind of therapy. It’s collaborative and tailored to how your ADHD shows up often session by session.

In sessions we typically focus on a mix of:

1) Understanding your experience of ADHD

Not just a list of symptoms that overlap with a load of other diagnostic labels and TBH describe most human beings, but your triggers, patterns, and the situations where things fall apart (or unexpectedly work).

2) Emotional regulation and self-worth

Many adults with ADHD have carried years of criticism (from others or themselves). We work on the internal story that keeps you stuck, and build steadier emotional footing.

3) Relationships and communication

ADHD can strain connection in quiet ways. We can work on conflict cycles, shutdown, defensiveness, and repair.

4) Burnout prevention

When your life runs on urgency, the nervous system pays for it. We build a more sustainable pace. Talking sleep is a big component of what I do here and I have a wealth of knowledge in this area.

You’ll leave with clarity and a plan, but also a bit more kindness towards yourself. That matters more than people expect.

*Notice I haven’t included planning, organisational, scheduling, journaling skills here - sometimes I chat this, but if you’re solely after this you can save a bunch of $ and see an ADHD coach - they’re great for this sort of thing.

The first session

The first appointment is a calm, structured conversation.

We’ll cover what’s been happening, what you’ve tried already, and what you want to be different. I’ll ask targeted questions to understand attention, motivation, emotional regulation, sleep, stress, and any history that might be relevant. If you’ve been diagnosed already, we’ll work with that. If you’re wondering whether ADHD fits, we can explore that thoughtfully too.

Some people want tools straight away. Others need space to unpack the years of “why can’t I just…”. We can do both.

Do you need a diagnosis to start?

No.

If you suspect ADHD, therapy can still help with the day-to-day challenges (overwhelm, procrastination, emotional reactivity, routines, work stress). If you’re pursuing assessment elsewhere, therapy can support you through that process and help you translate insights into real-world change.

In-person in Hillarys or telehealth across WA

Appointments are available in person at Mind Harbour Psychology in Hillarys, and via telehealth for adults across Australia. If you work best from home, that’s completely fine.

Fees and Medicare rebates

If you’re eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan through your GP, you may be able to access Medicare rebates. You can find the current information on the Fees & Rebates page.

FAQs about adult ADHD therapy

How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your goals and how long the patterns have been in place. Some people do a focused block (for example, 6–10 sessions) to build systems and stabilise things. Others prefer ongoing support while they make bigger changes.

Can you help with procrastination and follow-through?
Yes. We’ll look at the specific moment things derail (starting, switching tasks, perfectionism, overwhelm, fear of failure) and build strategies that fit how your brain works.

Is ADHD just a time management problem?
Not really. Time skills help, but ADHD often involves emotional regulation, motivation, working memory, and stress responses. That’s why “just use a planner” rarely solves it.

Do you work with ADHD and anxiety together?
Very often they’re linked. We can treat both in an integrated way, because reducing anxiety can improve attention and decision-making, and improving ADHD systems can reduce anxiety.

Can therapy help if I’m already on medication?
Yes. Medication can be helpful for many people, but it may not build habits, repair self-worth, or change relationship patterns on its own. Therapy fills in those gaps.

I’ve been coping for years. Why is it getting worse now?
Common reasons include increased workload, parenting demands, age, relationship stress, loss of structure, burnout, or a nervous system that’s been running on adrenaline for too long. You’re not failing, you’re just out of runway.

Is telehealth effective for ADHD?
For many adults, yes. It can make consistency easier and reduce the “activation energy” of getting to appointments.

Ready to talk it through?

If adult ADHD is affecting your work, relationships, or sense of confidence, you don’t need to keep muscling through alone. You can book an appointment at Mind Harbour Psychology in Hillarys, or via telehealth.