Diagnosed Combined ADHD

ADHD COUNSELLOR & CBT THERAPIST, ADHD COACH, MENTOR

Sarah was diagnosed Combined ADHD at the age of 51.  If it hadn’t been for her counsellor urging her to get a diagnosis after recognising the ADHD traits in her, she would have probably spent the rest of her life struggling against them!

Sarah has spent the past 20 years helping people.  She started out as a Mentor with The Big Issue helping London’s homeless.  She loved the challenge of working with people who had given up hope and had nothing.  Her passion for life and compassion for anyone struggling meant after 7 years, she was given an even tougher group to mentor – ex-offenders.  Sarah thrived on the challenge and kept a prolific offender out of prison for 12 months – the first time he had seen the light of day since the age of 19.   He was 31.

Sarah then volunteered at HMP The Mount for 18 months.  She was elevated to Tutor when the prison realised she was capable of working alone with 16 soon to be released men.  Every Monday afternoon Sarah did her best to prepare the boys and men for release – CV preparation, interview technique, setting up in small business and running a franchise.  But what the men also wanted was someone to talk to, someone normal, who didn’t work for the prison.  It was at this point Sarah decided to formalise her one to one chats – she decided to train as a Counsellor.

Since then she has worked as a Trainee Counsellor with young offenders at HMP Aylesbury and set up and ran the entire counselling service at HMP Portland.  Sarah could never quite understand how she related so well to offenders, never having broken the law herself!  Her ADHD diagnosis in 2015 explained that.  A huge amount of prison inmates are diagnosed – and undiagnosed – ADHD.  Their risk-taking and boundary-breaking tendencies made perfect sense to her.

Whilst busy running Headstuff Therapy, Sarah has never forgotten her roots and still volunteers at an addiction charity as many hours as she can find.

Her passion is helping newly diagnosed ADHD people make sense of their diagnosis.

She also specialises in working with young ADHD (usually) boys who are getting into trouble with the law.  Keeping them out of prison is her goal!

Currently Studying Working with Addiction & Complex Needs, Level 3

Mother of 2 ADHD Sons now aged 20+

ADHD COUNSELLOR & CBT THERAPIST, ADHD COACH

Lynda is a vastly experienced counsellor who brought up not one, but two ADHD sons!  One diagnosed Inattentive, one Hyperactive.  She guided them through some pretty hairy teenage years but they are both now in their 20’s and both starting out on their careers and so far doing well!

Lynda is also the reason Headstuff Therapy exists at all ….. for it was her who was counselling Sarah when she spotted ADHD traits in her.  It was Lynda who felt so strongly that Sarah was ADHD, even when a private, supposed ADHD specialist psychiatrist told Sarah she was not ADHD, Lynda encouraged her to not give up and to go somewhere else, so sure was she Sarah was ADHD.

Lynda’s knowledge of ADHD comes not only from bringing up two ADHD sons, but also from working with ADHD teenager and adults for many years.  Both male and female.

Lynda is a highly experienced counsellor with 25+ years’ experience.  She has worked as a Diploma Level Counselling Tutor and is a qualified Counselling Supervisor.

Lynda is passionate about helping people with ADHD and she believes the best part of someone finally finding out they are ADHD is that everything suddenly makes sense.

Qualifications

Trained in Humanistic Counselling integrating Transactional Analysis, Gestalt and Person-Centred Theories

Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Counselling (University of Wolverhampton)

Certificate in Transactional Analysis 101 (Institute of Transactional Analysis)

Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CPCAB)

Certificate in Supervision (CPCAB)

Certificate in Education (University of Southampton)

Life Coaching & Personality Testing (JCA)

DID Training with PODS

Diploma in Life Coaching

E.F.T.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Member of the BACP, The British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, Registration Number 051281

Mother of ADHD Son & Daughter

BA COUNSELLOR & ADHD COACH

Samantha is a fully qualified BACP registered counsellor and life coach.

Samantha has an 18-year-old son with ADHD/ODD and a 28-year-old daughter awaiting diagnosis of ADHD. She herself is awaiting diagnosis of combined ADHD. Although Samantha had recognised a difference in her son, when a primary school teacher pointed out there may be an issue with his behaviour, Samantha was not happy! At first not wanting to think there was anything “wrong” with her son, she was reluctant to take things further. However, she agreed to a referral and he was very quickly diagnosed ADHD/ODD.

At this time Samantha was studying a Counselling Degree. It was then that she started to study ADHD in detail. Samantha wrote a dissertation on why Counsellors should receive training in ADHD. She could see mental health services in her area were letting her son down. He was getting no ADHD help from his Doctor, CAMHS, the education system or schools’ counsellors.

Samantha is passionate about raising ADHD awareness in Wales. Also educating and supporting clients with ADHD and families of children with ADHD. Samantha and her son had no help and no support, and she is working hard to change this. There was no adult ADHD support in Wales so she has started a local support group and wants to reach as wide an area as possible.

It was during her Counselling training that Samantha started to realise she too had many symptoms of ADHD. With her extensive research and knowledge of ADHD she believes she is ADHD Combined type. As we know there is a strong genetic link for ADHD. Samantha is currently awaiting her diagnosis. With much research and by coaching herself, Samantha managed to leave University with a Foundation Degree in Counselling and went on to study for a BA (Hons) in Counselling, covering Neurobiology, CBT and Children and Young People.

Having been through some very distressing years with an adolescent ADHD boy and dealing with her adult daughter, suffering from anxiety and overthinking due to her undiagnosed ADHD, Samantha has a great understanding and first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to live with ADHD at its worse. This makes her an empathetic and kind counsellor. She can relate with her clients as she has personal experience of ADHD.

Qualifications

Introduction to Counselling Skills level 2 2015

Counselling Skills level 3 2016

SEREN – Understanding the Impact of Sexual Abuse and Working Safely and Sensitively with Survivors 2016

Certificate – Understanding Depression and Anxiety 2016

Crisis Negotiation Training 2016

Certificate – Understanding and Working Safely with the Effects of Trauma 2016

Certificate – Trauma and Vicarious Trauma 2017

Foundation Degree in Counselling 2018

Coaching Young People 2018

Coaching for Mental Health 2019

Certificate Working On-Line 2019

BA (Hons) Degree Counselling – including Neurobiology, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy & Children and Young People (Graduates June 2019)

DIAGNOSED COMBINED ADHD, ACCREDITED COUNSELLOR

Sarah Bryan is a Person-Centred Therapist who uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness within her practice. Sarah has a wealth of experience having been qualified for nearly fifteen years and has also achieved Accredited status with the BACP. Throughout her career Sarah has always been passionate about expanding her knowledge and has attended well over a hundred workshops and training courses to keep up with current practices.

Since becoming qualified Sarah has worked with young people in a large secondary school working extensively with ages of 12 to 18 whilst also running a small private practice working with adults.

Having been diagnosed Combined Adult ADHD later in life Sarah has busied herself into learning understanding what ADHD is for her and how being undiagnosed has impacted her life. Sarah is passionate about empowering everyone she comes in to contact with. Through understanding her ADHD, the challenges she’s faced and the impact this has had on every area of her life she is particularly focused on working with clients who lack confidence and self-esteem. Her empathy, understanding, openness along with some humour and ‘thinking outside of the box’ allow Sarah to create unique relationships with each of her clients.

Qualifications

· Level 4 Advanced Diploma in Person Centred Therapy.
· Counselling Children & Young People.
· Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

· 2006 – Continuous Minimum of 30 hours per year of Continued Professional Development (CPD) as required by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
· 2019 Mental Health First Aid.
· 2018 Safeguarding Training.
· 2017 Counselling Children & Young People.
· 2015 British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy – Accreditation.
· 2004 – 2006 Level 4 Diploma in Person Centred Therapy.
· 2006 MNT Childcare Approval.
· 2006 Freedom Training Programme – Working with Victims of Abuse.
· 2006 Drugs Prevention & Awareness Project, National Open College Network Level 3 Drugs Awareness.
· 2006 Youth & Community Service – Solution Focus Brief Therapy & Identifying Young People with Potential Mental Health Issues.

· 2005 Youth Enquiry Service – Anger Management.
· 2005 Youth Enquiry Service – Boundaries Personal and Professional.
· 2005 Drugs Prevention & Awareness Project, National Open College Network Level 2 Drugs Awareness.
· 2004 – 2005 ABC Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills.
· 2002 – 2003 ABC Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Concepts.

Awaiting ADHD Assessment 2020, Mother of ADHD Daughter, COUNSELLOR

Marianne is qualified Person Centred therapist and a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She has been interested in therapeutic counselling all her life, finding it rewarding to support people by offering them a space where they can feel safe, heard and understood during times when their worlds may feel complicated and overwhelming.

Marianne has extensive experience of working with young people (aged 11 to 18) and adults in a variety of areas SUCH AS: Anxiety, Low Mood, Self Esteem, Trauma, Self Harm, Family Issues, Relationships, Work and School Issues, Behavioural Problems, Exam Stress, Anger, Bereavement, Panic Attacks, Confidence, Self Care, ADHD, ASD, Parenting, Stress, Body Image.

As a Person Centred therapist, Marianne works in a non-directive and flexible way, prioritising the client’s needs and works at a pace that suits them. Her working method includes talking therapy, as well as play and creative methods, such drawing and painting.

Marianne also has experience in working with people both pre-and post ADHD diagnosis and can support as the person comes to terms with the diagnosis and looking at ways to help them managing their feelings and symptoms. For ADHD clients, Marianne works closely with Headstuff ADHD Therapy who can provide further information on what ADHD is and how to get diagnosed.

Marianne is also trained in family therapy and is able offer sessions for families who are struggling with communication and their home life.

Marianne is currently available on Wednesday afternoons at the Chalfont Wellness Centre between 1:30pm and 5:30pm, and you can make contact with her via her website www.here2listen.co.uk or via Chalfont Wellness Centre reception.

Qualifications

ABC Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills 2012
ABC Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling 2014

Training

Certificate in Working with Families (Family Therapy) 2017
Treating Trauma Feb 2020
Treating Generalised Anxiety Disorder 2019
Safeguarding Training 2019
Creative Counselling Skills 2019
Low Mood 2019
Safeguarding Training 2018
ASD Workshop 2018
Separation Anxiety June 2018