What is ADHD and how is it diagnosed in adults?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning. In adults, ADHD often presents as difficulty sustaining attention, disorganisation, forgetfulness, and emotional dysregulation. Diagnosis involves a comprehensive assessment by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.

Can psychologists help with ADHD in Melbourne?

Yes. Psychologists at The Talk Shop provide ADHD assessments and psychological treatment to help adults and young people understand and manage their ADHD. Treatment may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), executive functioning strategies, and skills for improving attention, organisation, and emotional regulation.

Does Medicare cover ADHD psychology sessions?

Yes. With a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP or psychiatrist, you can access Medicare-rebated psychology sessions for ADHD-related concerns, including anxiety or depression that often co-occurs with ADHD. The Talk Shop accepts Medicare across all clinic locations and telehealth.

What's the difference between an ADHD assessment and ADHD therapy?

An ADHD assessment involves structured interviews, standardised questionnaires, and cognitive testing to determine whether ADHD is present and to what degree. ADHD therapy (such as CBT) focuses on developing practical strategies to manage ADHD symptoms and improve quality of life. Both services are available at The Talk Shop in Melbourne.

ADHD Psychologist Melbourne

An ADHD diagnosis explains a great deal — but the real work is building the strategies, skills, and self-understanding that allow you to function at your best. That’s where psychological treatment begins.

ADHD in Adults and Adolescents

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that impair functioning across settings. While ADHD is often identified in childhood, it persists into adulthood for the majority of those diagnosed, and many adults are not identified until later in life.

ADHD is not a deficit of attention per se, but of attention regulation — people with ADHD can hyperfocus intensely on high-interest tasks while struggling significantly with tasks that are routine, effortful, or externally imposed. Understanding this is foundational to effective treatment.

ADHD — Predominantly Inattentive Presentation (formerly ADD): difficulty sustaining attention, organising tasks, and following through
ADHD — Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: restlessness, impulsivity, difficulty waiting or staying seated
ADHD — Combined Presentation: significant symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity
ADHD with co-occurring conditions — anxiety, depression, ASD, and learning difficulties are common co-occurring presentations

How ADHD Presents in Daily Life

ADHD affects functioning across work, relationships, and daily life in characteristic ways:

Executive function difficulties:

Difficulty starting tasks, particularly those that are boring or effortful
Losing track of time — chronically late, missing deadlines, underestimating time needed
Difficulty sustaining attention through long tasks or conversations
Working memory problems — forgetting what you were about to do, losing items frequently

Emotional and interpersonal impact:

Emotional dysregulation — intense reactions to frustration, rejection sensitivity
Relationship difficulties due to forgetfulness, impulsivity, or inconsistency
Low self-esteem from years of underperformance relative to perceived potential
Anxiety and depression as secondary consequences of untreated ADHD

Positive traits often associated with ADHD:

High creativity, divergent thinking, and novel problem-solving
Intense hyperfocus on areas of genuine interest
High energy, enthusiasm, and passion
Resilience and adaptability from years of managing challenges

Note: The Talk Shop offers a separate ADHD assessment service for formal diagnosis. This page focuses on psychological treatment and support for those who have already been diagnosed.

You Are Not Alone

ADHD affects approximately 5% of children and 2.5% of adults worldwide. The majority of children with ADHD continue to experience significant symptoms into adulthood.

Many adults with ADHD have spent years feeling “lazy,” “stupid,” or “a disappointment” — labels that bear no relationship to intelligence or potential. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental difference in brain wiring, not a character flaw. With the right strategies and support, people with ADHD achieve extraordinary things.

Why Medication Alone Is Often Not Enough

Medication can be a highly effective component of ADHD management, significantly improving attention regulation and impulse control. However, medication does not teach the executive function skills, emotional regulation strategies, or organisational systems that many people with ADHD need. Psychological treatment addresses these gaps:

Building personalised systems for task management, time awareness, and organisation
Developing emotional regulation skills to manage frustration, rejection sensitivity, and overwhelm
Addressing the anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem that often co-occur with ADHD
Processing the grief and adjustment that often accompanies a late ADHD diagnosis

Meta-analyses demonstrate that CBT for ADHD, particularly when combined with medication management, produces significant and durable improvements in functioning, emotional regulation, and quality of life.

Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments for ADHD

Psychological treatment for ADHD at The Talk Shop draws on:

CBT for ADHD — structured skills-based treatment targeting the specific executive function, organisational, and emotional challenges of ADHD. Includes psychoeducation, time management, task initiation, and working memory strategies.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — helps clients develop psychological flexibility, self-compassion, and values-aligned action in the face of ADHD-related challenges.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills — particularly useful for emotional dysregulation and impulsivity, which are central features of ADHD for many people.

Motivational Interviewing — supports engagement with treatment and behaviour change, particularly for clients who have had negative experiences with previous support.

What Treatment Looks Like at The Talk Shop

Your first session is a 50-minute assessment focused on understanding your specific ADHD profile, co-occurring conditions, and goals. Your psychologist will develop a personalised treatment plan that addresses your individual presenting concerns rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Treatment is typically 10–16 sessions and is highly practical in orientation — focused on building skills and systems you can use immediately in daily life. Telehealth is available and often particularly well-suited to clients with ADHD.

Funding Options — What Will You Pay?

✓ WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.

WorkCover approved — $0 out of pocket, we bill directly
NDIS plan-managed or self-managed — $0 out of pocket, we bill directly
TAC claim approved — $0 out of pocket, we bill directly
DVA — Gold Card holders are fully covered with no session cap (clinically justified). White Card holders covered for accepted conditions, plus all current/former ADF members can access fully-funded psychology for any mental-health condition under NLMHT. GP referral required.
Medicare (Better Access) — up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan
Private health insurance — extras cover may apply
Self-funded — sessions from $50 with our Provisional Psychologists

Frequently Asked Questions

I was diagnosed as an adult. Is treatment still effective?

Yes — adult diagnosis and treatment is highly effective. Many people find that understanding their ADHD explains a lifetime of experiences and that psychological support produces rapid, meaningful improvements in functioning.

Can you help me even if I’m not on medication?

Yes. Psychological treatment for ADHD is effective with or without medication. Your psychologist will work with what is right for you and your situation.

Do you offer ADHD assessments?

Yes — separately from this support service. See our ADHD Assessment page for more information.

Ready to Build the Strategies You Need? Talk to a Melbourne ADHD Psychologist Today.

Our psychologists are experienced in supporting adults and adolescents with ADHD across 4 Melbourne clinics and via Telehealth. Appointments available this week for private bookings. Call 1300 224 665 or book online.

Other Conditions We Help With

Our psychologists are trained in a wide range of evidence-based approaches across many presentations. Browse our full directory of conditions and therapies we work with.

References

Safren, S.A., et al. (2010). Cognitive-behavioral therapy vs relaxation with educational support for medication-treated adults with ADHD. JAMA, 304(8), 875–880.
Solanto, M.V., et al. (2010). Efficacy of meta-cognitive therapy for adult ADHD. American Journal of Psychiatry, 167(8), 958–968.