FAQs: Online Therapy & Coaching in Edinburgh, Lothians, UK

ADHD in adults can look different from the childhood picture of “hyperactivity”. It often shows up as difficulty focusing, racing thoughts, procrastination, forgetfulness, emotional dysregulation and struggling to stay organised. Many people say they feel overwhelmed by everyday tasks, lose track of time, or start lots of projects but find it hard to finish. On the outside you might look like you’re coping, but inside it can feel exhausting.

A diagnosis is usually made by a psychiatrist after a detailed assessment. They’ll look at your history, current challenges, and how symptoms affect your life. It’s not just a quick test – it’s about understanding the bigger picture. Even without a formal diagnosis, therapy and ADHD coaching can still help you build strategies, reduce overwhelm, and make daily life easier. You don't need an ADHD diagnosis to access help and support. 

Yes – and it’s very common. Living with ADHD can make simple tasks feel harder, leading to stress, worry, and feeling like you’re always behind. Many people with ADHD have also spent years feeling judged or misunderstood, which can knock confidence. Therapy and coaching can help by tackling unhelpful patterns, reducing anxiety, and supporting you to build self esteem and resilience.

Medication can be helpful, but it’s not the only option. Therapy and ADHD coaching can give you tools and strategies that work with your brain, not against it. Lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, better sleep, and practical systems for life can also help. Many people find a combination of approaches works best.

Therapy gives you the space to explore what’s behind your anxiety or stress and learn practical ways to manage it. We’ll look at the thought patterns and habits that might be keeping you stuck, and find new strategies so life feels less overwhelming. Over time, people often say they feel calmer, more in control, and better able to cope with life’s ups and downs.

Therapy focuses on your emotions, patterns, and past experiences – it helps you understand yourself, manage stress and anxiety, and work on challenges like low self-esteem. ADHD coaching is more practical and forward focused – it’s about building routines, creating strategies to get things done, and learning how to work with your brain in daily life. Both can be helpful, and we can talk about how approaches may be integrated. 

ADHD can make managing stress harder because of difficulties with planning, prioritising, and switching off. Together we can work on tools like breaking tasks into smaller steps, building daily routines, using reminders and external structure, and learning calming techniques for when overwhelm hits. Small changes can make a big difference to how manageable life feels.

Practical tools might include planners, apps, reminders, visual schedules, or breaking tasks down into simple steps. We can help you find what works for you, so you can build systems that are realistic and sustainable. It’s about scaffolding your day so you can get things done without burning out.

I work mainly with adults 18 + who are struggling with ADHD traits, anxiety, stress, overwhelm, or low self-esteem. Many of my clients are juggling busy work and family lives, often feeling like they’re “holding it all together” on the outside but struggling inside. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone – and therapy or coaching can help.

You can book a therapy session with me by sending me an email or use the contact form here: https://elspetherapy.co.uk/contact  ADHD coaching sessions are booked via Edinburgh Adult Psychiatry. If you’re not sure which is right for you, we can talk it through together. Taking the first step can feel daunting, but it’s often the beginning of real change.