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Your guide to finding a local therapist in Berkshire for ADHD support.
Our latest article is focussed on helping you find the right therapist and helping you thrive.

Finding the right therapist for ADHD can feel overwhelming, especially with the increasing awareness and demand for services locally in Berkshire. Whether you’re an adult navigating ADHD, a parent seeking support for a child or looking for guidance post-diagnosis, it’s important to understand the types of help available and how to find the right fit for you. .



While many people assume an ADHD diagnosis automatically leads to medication, the reality is that either counselling and coaching, or a mix of both, models can also provide essential support, especially when exploring medicative solutions. This article will help you understand the differences between each type of therapy and how to find the right ADHD therapist in Berkshire to meet your needs.

What is the difference between counselling and coaching? Whilst both offer valuable support, they serve different purposes.

The difference between
ADHD counselling
and ADHD coaching

ADHD counselling focuses on the emotional and psychological aspects of the condition. Many individuals with ADHD struggle with areas such as low self-esteem and negative self-talk, as well as anxiety, depression and emotional dysregulation. An ADHD-trained counsellor provides a safe space to process emotions, develop coping strategies and build self-awareness. An important point to note is ADHD counselling does not involve diagnosis or medication management. For this, you will need to consult an NHS clinician or private psychiatrist.

ADHD coaching is more strategy-based and action-oriented. It helps individuals with ADHD improve daily functioning like better organisation and time management skills and building routines that work with ADHD, not against it.

Unlike counselling, ADHD coaching does not focus on deep emotional processing, but instead provides practical tools and guidance for managing ADHD challenges in work, school and personal life.

Benefits of ADHD support services (pre or post diagnosis):



There is an alternative, or the best of both worlds, in a hybrid model of these two practices. We understand that ADHD is complex and no single approach works for everyone. That’s why this ‘hybrid model’ of blending counselling and coaching, can be highly effective.

By combining both, clients receive well-rounded support, helping them not only manage symptoms but also thrive again in day-to-day life.

Many of our team at Changes4Life are ADHD specialist trained, offering both counselling and coaching support. ADHD is not just about focus—it affects emotions, relationships, and self-identity. That’s why a personalised approach is essential as no case is the same.

‘Finding ADHD support locally means working with professionals who understand not just the condition, but also the challenges specific to your community, schools and workplaces. A hybrid approach—blending counselling for emotional well-being with coaching for practical strategies—ensures that individuals receive both the support and the tools they need to thrive.’ - Vanessa Boudier, Founder

Finding the Right ADHD Therapist in Berkshire

If you’re looking for an ADHD therapist here in Berkshire, here’s what to consider:

- ADHD-Informed Professionals. Not all therapists specialise in ADHD. Look for those with experience in ADHD counselling or coaching.

- A personalised approach. A good therapist should work with you to decide if you need emotional support (counselling), practical strategies (coaching) or a mix of both.

- Understand diagnosis limitations of different entities. Private therapists cannot provide formal ADHD assessments. For diagnosis and medication, you’ll need a psychiatrist or NHS clinician.

ADHD Diagnosis and Psychological Support in Berkshire

A formal ADHD diagnosis can be a relief, but it also comes with emotional challenges, for yourself or a family member especially later in life. At Changes4Life, we provide pre-diagnosis, during assessment and post-diagnosis support, ensuring that individuals and families have the tools they need to move forward confidently.

It’s really important to bear in mind that ADHD is a lifelong journey, but with the right support, individuals can thrive, build confidence and develop effective coping strategies. Whether you’re looking for Berkshire-based ADHD counselling services, ADHD coaching or a hybrid approach, finding the right therapist can make all the difference.

“I love working with my neurodivergent clients. Usually they come into therapy searching for an explanation for their emotional struggles - often with a long-term diagnosis of either anxiety or depression that just doesn't feel right to them. Once they begin to understand the root cause of their problems (their neuro divergency), how to overcome the challenges, and how to embrace their differences and turn them into strengths. You see a whole new person emerge, one who is more confident more comfortable in themselves and ready to go out and start building a life that works for them"

Jacqui Vaughan, managing partner at Changes4Life

Changes4Life is the number one therapy service in Berkshire. We offer personalised counselling and coaching services to help individuals, children and parents navigate ADHD and have a wide range of counsellors as part of our team to help you find the therapist that fits.

To find out more book a discovery call today or leave your details in the form below and one of our team will get back to you.

Or fill out our contact form below and we will get back to you.
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Sev C.
05:33 22 Oct 24
For those looking for ADHD support, I strongly recommend Vanessa. Through her ADHD coaching practice, she offers a calm, compassionate, and generous presence that naturally invites self-reflection. In this comforting environment, new ideas emerge effortlessly, leading to tangible progress through concrete strategies.
Tom Barnes
13:00 13 May 24
fantastic service really helped me through some challenging times, Vanessa is incredible made me feel very comfortable and really gave me the tools and information I needed to start making some better choices
Nathan Chapman
02:21 14 Apr 24
Working with Vanessa was a really fantastic experience. She is incredibly knowledgeable, understanding and passionate about mental health. She also has excellent knowledge of ADHD and can help those struggling with ADHD to help manager their day-to day-symptoms.She was able to be completely flexible with how she worked, completely giving me freedom in how I wanted therapy to be structured and the topics I wanted to discuss. She was able to easily swap between a therapeutic approach, exploring trauma or relationship issues, or a coaching approach offering practical strategies to help with day to day life.Throughout our time working together, Vanessa was always very compassionate and warm. She was always engaged showing a genuine and caring approach which helped create a safe place where I felt comfortable talking about difficult personal topicsI can't thank her enough for the time we spent together and would thoroughly recommend her to anybody who would like to learn more about themselves, improve their mental health and learn practical strategies to help them with day to day life.
Charlotte Wheeler
21:18 14 Dec 23
A very safe and comfortable environment that’s created and that really goes hand in hand with the support offered.
Paul Brereton
09:55 02 Oct 23
It's hard to express in words how fantastic Vanessa is! Her kindness, understanding and professionalism shone through from the start, all in a very safe and comfortable space. I felt a deep connection from the first time we spoke and undertaking a journey with Vanessa has resulted in significant changes for me - changes for life! I cannot recommend Vanessa highly enough - a truly wonderful person.
Amelie M
14:18 08 Sep 23
I would highly recommend Vanessa for EMDR! After suffering with quite a specific anxiety for a number of years, Vanessa was very understanding, honest and committed to helping me work through this. She created a really safe and comfortable environment and in turn I always looked forwards to my sessions with her. I couldn’t be happier with the changes i’ve seen in myself and the end result of feeling uplifted and positive about my future! Thank you so much Vanessa, I am so glad i came across you and your amazing work 🥰.
Laura Collett
10:04 27 Jan 23
I’ve been seeing Vanessa for a whole host of different and complex mental health reasons for a number of years. Sometimes I go for months and months without needing her support and other times I see her weekly - that’s one of the great things about her, the adaptability to my needs. Vanessa is supportive, professional, and extremely knowledgeable across a wide breadth of issues and treatments / approaches. Without doubt the best therapist I have ever worked with and I couldn’t recommend her more highly.
Christine Taylor
09:23 22 Jan 23
Vanessa was recommended through a close friend and I cannot thank them both enough. Since our sessions began a little under a year ago Vanessa has helped me create a deeper understanding of myself and others and has equipped me with the knowledge to continue to improve my life, I’ll be forever grateful for this! Vanessa is a very warming, professional and highly experienced therapist and I look forward to developing myself more with her help 🙂
LOUISE MOUNTAIN
19:25 28 Sep 22
Vanessa was recommended to me by a friend, earlier this summer and turned out to be exactly what I needed in order to help me sort out my issues.She is very down-to-earth and sensible and after asking questions and really listening to what one has to say, has a lot of insight into what may be troubling you - which she easily translates into ways that show a depth of discernment with understanding and sympathy, combined with practical help based on both theory and practical experience.Within weeks I was able to see a way forward and regain my sense of purpose.I cannot recommend Vanessa highly enough.
Claire Edwards
09:04 08 Feb 22
Vanessa is a very caring, compassionate and experienced counsellor. She makes you feel at ease even when it may feel hard to open up, I found her very easy to talk to. There are no words to completely describe just how much she has helped me and how our sessions have already had such a positive impact on my life. I highly recommend Vanessa and thank her from the bottom of my heart for helping me.