ADHD Assessment in St Kilda
At present ADHD is a common diagnosis that people are talking about, and many people (some with and some without ADHD) believe they may meet criteria for ADHD.
Like many other diagnosis ADHD is on a continuum. Most people will have experiences that look like ADHD, such as forgetting appointments, being distractible, or being emotionally dysregulated. However, it is about the frequency these occur, the intensity, and how they impact a person’s functioning. Additionally, symptoms of ADHD can be mimicked by other diagnosis such as anxiety, depression, or trauma related diagnosis.
Due to this it is important to seek professional support to formally assess for ADHD and/or other diagnosis. Steps included in diagnosis involve: history taking, interview with a family member/close friend, and various assessments. In depth assessment is crucial in fully understanding and supporting treatment of any mental health condition Regardless of the presence of ADHD, if you experience symptoms that are distressing or impact your functioning it is helpful to speak to a psychologist.
Please note that psychologists cannot prescribe medication.
Treatment focus areas
All supports are tailored to the individual person’s goals, experiences, and difficulties. Some common areas of focus include:
- Education and understanding the ADHD brain
- Grief from diagnosis
- Improving relationship with self and emotion regulation
- Developing organisation and planning skills; including focus on environment
- Interpersonal skills/relationships
- Health
- Other conditions
ADHD Coaching Program in St Kilda
We have found from research along with client feedback that a diagnosis of ADHD is not enough. Individuals desire multiple tools and training for personal and professional development so they can thrive with ADHD.
We have created a program that focuses on supporting clients with ADHD to develop in each of these areas and promote their wellbeing, in an ADHD friendly environment.
This program involves 8 individual tailored sessions that covers:
- Understanding ADHD
- Reactions and adjusting to diagnosis
- Improvement of self-identity
- Emotion regulation
- Organisation and planning
- Routine
- Interpersonal skills: including rejection sensitivity
- Explaining ADHD to family and friends
- Understanding what exacerbates your symptoms
- Anxiety, depression, and unhelpful dopamine seeking
When you engage in our program we provide corresponding information packs and handouts so when you leave the session you always have something to refer back to.
Below are a few our most frequently asked questions. Take a look and if you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
A psychologist is trained with undergraduate and postgraduate studies of psychological science and assessment. Psychologists treat those that range from those who suffer serious mental illness to those needing support in understanding their relationships, thoughts, feelings and behaviours. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with additional specialised training in mental health. They are able to prescribe medication and work well with GP’s and psychologists.
Have you ever been to a GP and thought you might be suited to another doctor? It is the same with a psychologist. It is important that in the first session you ask questions and learn about the therapist’s style in order to feel comfortable. You or someone you know may have had a disappointing experience with a psychologist in the past – do not let this be a barrier to reaching your goals, it just wasn’t the right fit. We care about placing you with the right person, with the right intervention and at the right time.
Absolutely not. Psychological therapy is available to every person on planet earth. We are all human and share similar hopes, fears and struggles. No one is immune to the complexity of life and seeking education about your mental health is something to be proud of. Each year we get better at communicating our mental wellbeing, and our communities are benefitting from the results.
As caring and empathetic your concerns may be for a loved one, it is up to them to make change happen. But your insight and access to our resources can be of great benefit. The Contemporary Psychology clinic has a wide variety of information to offer so you can direct them to this website, this way they can see what we’re on about, and they can send an email or give us a call. You are also encouraged to attend and discuss your own fears regarding a loved one if this has been getting you down.
Common themes in therapy – a psychologist’s reflection
Understanding and Managing Microstress: A Path to Greater Well-being
