I am interested in exploring how neurotypical counsellors experience working with adult clients who present with traits of ADHD but do not have a formal diagnosis. Traits such as inattention and lack of focus, impulsivity, hyperactivity and inner restlessness, disorganization and poor time management, emotional dysregulation, relationship challenges.
As ADHD becomes more widely recognized, you may be noticing traits in adult clients who do not have a formal diagnosis. Some clients may already be exploring ADHD for themselves, while others may be unaware that it could be relevant to their experiences. I am interested in hearing from counsellors about how they notice, understand, and respond to these presentations in their therapeutic work. If this reflects your experience, I would warmly invite you to consider taking part and sharing your perspectives.
You may be eligible to take part if you are:
- UK based, qualified to at least Diploma level, registered with a professional body
- practising for over 2 years post-qualification
- able to engage with an online semi-structured interview via Microsoft Teams, lasting approx. 60 minutes, which will be audio recorded and transcribed. All data will be kept confidential and anonymized.
- self-identifying as neurotypical, with experience of working with at least one adult client presenting with ADHD traits (but not formally diagnosed).
If you meet the participant criteria and would like to find out more, I would be very happy to hear from you. Please contact me at averil.barrington@waverleyabbeycollege.ac.uk for further information or to express your interest.
This qualitative research is part of my MA in Counselling and has received ethical approval from the Waverley Abbey College Research Ethics Committee.
You can view the participant information here and the advert here.