Living with ADHD as an Adult in Melbourne

If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD — or suspect you might have it — you’re not alone. ADHD in adults is far more common than many people realise, and it affects every area of life: work performance, relationships, finances, sleep, and self-esteem. The good news is that with the right support, adults with ADHD can thrive.

At Foundation Psychology Melbourne, we offer specialised psychological support for adults living with ADHD. Whether you received your diagnosis recently or have been managing ADHD for years, our psychologists can help you build practical strategies, understand your brain, and live a fuller, more connected life.

What Does ADHD Look Like in Adults?

ADHD in adults often looks different from the hyperactive child portrayed in textbooks. Many adults — particularly women — were never identified as children because their symptoms were subtler or masked. Common presentations in adults include:

  • Chronic disorganisation — losing things, missing deadlines, difficulty managing time
  • Inattention and distractibility — struggling to focus on tasks, especially tedious ones
  • Emotional dysregulation — intense frustration, mood swings, rejection sensitivity
  • Impulsivity — making snap decisions, interrupting others, difficulty waiting
  • Overwhelm and burnout — running on adrenaline, crashing hard, struggling to recover
  • Low self-esteem — a lifetime of “not living up to potential” can leave deep emotional scars
  • Sleep difficulties — racing mind at night, difficulty winding down
  • Hyperfocus — becoming intensely absorbed in interesting tasks while neglecting others

Many adults with unrecognised ADHD have spent years being labelled as lazy, difficult, or anxious — when in fact their brain simply works differently. Psychological support helps you understand this, and work with your brain rather than against it.

How Psychology Can Help Adults with ADHD in Melbourne

Once you have a diagnosis, the real work begins: learning to manage ADHD in your daily life. Medication can help, but it doesn’t teach skills. Psychological therapy for adult ADHD focuses on practical, lasting change. Our psychologists draw on evidence-based approaches including:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) — targeting the negative thought patterns and avoidance behaviours that often develop alongside ADHD
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — building psychological flexibility, reducing shame, and clarifying personal values
  • Schema Therapy — addressing deeper patterns of thinking and feeling that developed in response to years of struggling undiagnosed
  • Executive functioning skills coaching — building systems for planning, organisation, time management, and task initiation
  • Mindfulness-based approaches — improving attention regulation and reducing impulsive reactivity

Therapy is tailored to your unique situation. We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach — we take the time to understand how ADHD shows up for you, what’s working, and what needs to change.

Common Challenges We Help With

Work and Career

ADHD can make traditional workplaces genuinely difficult. Procrastination, difficulty with prioritisation, and trouble sustaining focus on non-stimulating tasks can lead to underperformance, despite clear ability. We help you develop strategies that work with your brain — including how to communicate your needs at work, structure your environment, and build routines that stick.

Relationships

ADHD doesn’t just affect the person who has it — it ripples through relationships. Partners may feel ignored, unheard, or overburdened. Adults with ADHD often struggle with emotional regulation and rejection sensitivity, making conflict more intense. Therapy can help you understand these dynamics and develop communication skills that strengthen your relationships.

Self-Esteem and Identity

Many adults arrive at therapy carrying years of shame, self-criticism, and a deep sense that something is fundamentally wrong with them. Understanding ADHD — truly understanding it — can be transformative. It reframes your history and gives you a more compassionate, accurate picture of who you are.

Burnout and Overwhelm

Adults with ADHD often push hard to compensate for their difficulties, masking challenges with intense effort. Over time, this leads to burnout. We help you recognise your limits, build sustainable habits, and recover without the crash-and-burn cycle.

Anxiety and Low Mood

ADHD rarely travels alone. Anxiety, depression, and low self-worth are extremely common co-occurring conditions. Our psychologists are trained to work with the whole picture — not just the ADHD, but the emotional weight that often comes with it.

Meet Andrea Beres — ADHD Specialist Psychologist Melbourne

If you’re looking for a psychologist in Melbourne with a specific interest in ADHD in adults, we recommend Andrea Beres. Andrea is an experienced psychologist who has a particular passion for working with adults in the neurodivergence space, including ADHD and autism.

Andrea offers ADHD assessments and therapy for adults, working in a neuro-affirming way that respects each person’s unique profile. Her clients describe her as practical, warm, and an excellent listener who helps them feel genuinely understood. She draws on a range of approaches including CBT, Schema Therapy, ACT, and Mindfulness to help her clients create lasting change.

Learn more about Andrea Beres and her approach →

Do I Need an ADHD Assessment First?

If you haven’t yet received a formal ADHD diagnosis, an assessment is the important first step. A comprehensive ADHD assessment by a psychologist can clarify whether ADHD is present, rule out other conditions with overlapping symptoms (such as anxiety, depression, or trauma), and provide a foundation for treatment planning.

At Foundation Psychology, we offer:

If you already have a diagnosis and are ready to start therapy, you can book directly without a new assessment.

Why Choose Foundation Psychology Melbourne for ADHD Support?

Foundation Psychology is a well-established private practice in Melbourne with a team of experienced psychologists. We are known for:

  • A genuine, neuro-affirming approach — we understand how ADHD works and don’t pathologise difference
  • Experienced psychologists with specialist interest in adult ADHD and neurodiversity
  • Availability of Medicare rebates through a Mental Health Care Plan
  • Telehealth appointments available across Victoria
  • Flexible scheduling including some after-hours availability

How to Get Started

Getting support for ADHD in Melbourne is straightforward. You can:

  1. Book online directly through our booking page
  2. Ask your GP for a referral and a Mental Health Care Plan to access Medicare rebates
  3. Call our friendly reception team on (03) 9417 4077

You don’t need a referral to see a psychologist, but a GP referral and Mental Health Care Plan will reduce your out-of-pocket costs significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions: ADHD in Adults

Can adults be diagnosed with ADHD in Melbourne?

Yes. ADHD can be diagnosed at any age. Many adults were never identified as children — particularly women and girls, or people whose ADHD presented as inattention rather than hyperactivity. A psychologist can conduct a comprehensive ADHD assessment for adults.

What’s the difference between ADHD assessment and ADHD therapy?

An ADHD assessment determines whether you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Therapy (also called ADHD treatment or ADHD support) focuses on helping you manage ADHD in daily life — developing skills, addressing emotional challenges, and building practical systems. Many people benefit from both.

Do I need medication for ADHD?

Not necessarily. Medication is helpful for many adults with ADHD, but it’s not the right choice for everyone, and it doesn’t teach skills. Psychology can be highly effective on its own or as part of a combined approach. We work collaboratively with your GP or psychiatrist if you’re also managing medication.

Can ADHD be treated without medication?

Yes. Psychological therapies including CBT, ACT, and skills coaching have strong evidence for improving ADHD-related difficulties in adults — including focus, organisation, emotional regulation, and self-esteem. Many of our clients see significant improvements through therapy alone.

How long does ADHD therapy take?

This varies depending on your goals and situation. Some people benefit from a focused 8–12 session program. Others prefer ongoing support over a longer period, particularly when there are co-occurring issues like anxiety, trauma, or burnout. We’ll work with you to set a plan that suits your needs and budget.

Is ADHD in adults covered by Medicare?

Yes. With a GP referral and a Mental Health Care Plan, you can access Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year. This significantly reduces your out-of-pocket costs.