“Something must be wrong with me.”

(A personal reflection on why I became an ADHD assessor and coach)

“If you could just listen.”

“You’re so irresponsible you never finish anything.”

“You’re so bright if only you’d try harder.”

Sound familiar?

These are the kinds of phrases I’ve heard over and over again, both from the clients I sit with every week. As a therapist and ADHD coach, I’ve spent years supporting people who come to me struggling with anxiety, low mood, or a sense that they’re somehow “not enough.” And time and again, I’ve found myself wondering what if these symptoms were part of something else?

What if the exhaustion, the overthinking, the burnout weren’t purely about anxiety or depression… but were actually the consequences of undiagnosed ADHD? I’ve watched clients move through the system waiting months, sometimes years, for assessments. I’ve seen how easy it is for ADHD to be missed when GPs only have ten minutes per appointment, and how disheartening it can be for people who know, deep down, that something isn’t adding up.

At times, I felt stuck wanting to help more, but unsure how. That’s what led me to complete my diagnostic training. Now, being able to offer ADHD assessments feels like a natural extension of the work I already do. It means I can support clients throughout the process whether that’s helping them navigate the NHS pathway, exploring private assessment options (with me or another provider), or simply being there to unpack the emotions that come with a diagnosis. Because the truth is, diagnosis is rarely the end of the story it’s often just the beginning.

Starting medication, understanding your brain, rebuilding self-esteem after years of misunderstanding yourself these are big, deeply personal steps. And I feel incredibly privileged to walk alongside people as they take them.