ADHD Counselling for Adults in Vancouver
ADHD isn’t a lack of effort, intelligence, or discipline or just being lazy. It’s a different way of processing information, emotions, and motivation.
I offer ADHD counselling for adults in Vancouver, supporting people who feel overwhelmed, behind, or stuck in long-standing patterns of executive dysfunction, emotional exhaustion, and self-criticism. Many of the patients I work with — particularly women — were never diagnosed earlier in life and are only now beginning to understand why things have always felt harder.
Do you ever feel like your brain operates on a different frequency?
In adulthood, ADHD often looks different than the stereotypes many of us grew up with.
Rather than constant hyperactivity, it may show up as:
Difficulty with focus & follow-through
Struggling to complete tasks, even ones that matter.
Emotional intensity
Feeling everything deeply but not always knowing how to regulate it.
Overwhelm & burnout
Pushing through exhaustion, then crashing hard.
Self-doubt & imposter syndrome
Feeling like you’re always trying to "keep up" but never quite getting there.
ADHD in Women: Often Missed, Often Internalized
Many women with ADHD are diagnosed later in life — or not at all.
In my practice, I work with many women who were capable, compliant, and high-functioning on the outside, while quietly struggling on the inside. Their ADHD was often overlooked and instead framed as anxiety, depression, or simply “being too sensitive.”
ADHD in women often presents as:
inattentiveness rather than hyperactivity
emotional overwhelm and exhaustion
perfectionism or people-pleasing
difficulty with organization and follow-through
chronic self-doubt or shame
For many women, ADHD counselling is less about learning something new and more about finally making sense of their history — with compassion instead of blame.
What’s Actually Happening in the ADHD Brain
One of the things I often spend time explaining to patients is that ADHD isn’t about willpower — it’s about how the brain regulates attention and motivation.
A big part of this comes down to dopamine.
Dopamine is a neuromodulator involved in curiosity, motivation, enjoyment, and focus. When dopamine is released, it helps the brain narrow attention — creating a kind of tunnel of visual and auditory focus that allows us to stay engaged with a task.
When dopamine is lower or less effectively regulated, attention does the opposite.
Everything comes in at once. Sounds, sights, thoughts, emotions — nothing filters out easily. Focus feels scattered not because you aren’t trying, but because your brain is struggling to narrow its field of attention.
There are also two key brain networks involved:
the Default Mode Network, which is active when the mind is at rest or wandering
the Task Network, which helps us stay goal-directed and focused
In most people, these networks take turns. One quiets down while the other takes the lead.
In ADHD, these networks tend to stay on at the same time — I often explain to patients that it’s like an awful band playing out of sync…all the time. The mind is trying to focus and wander simultaneously, which can feel exhausting, distracting, or mentally noisy.
Dopamine acts like a conductor, helping the brain switch between these networks — guiding attention when needed and allowing rest when appropriate. In ADHD, the challenge isn’t effort or intelligence; it’s that this regulation system isn’t working as smoothly.
Understanding this often brings patients a lot of relief.
What they’ve been experiencing isn’t laziness or failure — it’s a brain that needs different support.
How ADHD Counselling Can Help
ADHD counselling supports both the practical challenges and the emotional impact of living with ADHD.
In therapy, we may focus on:
Executive functioning (planning, organization, follow-through)
Developing routines that work with your brain
Emotional regulation and nervous system support
Reducing overwhelm and burnout
Shifting shame and self-criticism
Improving communication and relationships
Rather than trying to “fix” you, therapy helps you work with your wiring and build systems that are realistic, flexible, and sustainable.
My Approach to ADHD Therapy
My approach to ADHD counselling is trauma-informed, attachment-based, and neurodiversity-affirming.
Many adults with ADHD have spent years being misunderstood, criticized, or pushing themselves to function in ways that don’t align with how their brain works. In therapy, I offer a space to slow down, understand your patterns, and develop tools that feel supportive rather than punishing. This work is collaborative, relational, and grounded in self-compassion. Rather than trying to “fix” you, we focus on working with your wiring and building systems that are realistic, flexible, and sustainable.
I work with adults who:
suspect they may have ADHD or are exploring a diagnosis
have a formal ADHD diagnosis
experience inattentive or combined-type ADHD
struggle with executive dysfunction, emotional overwhelm, or burnout
feel caught in cycles of shame, self-criticism, or chronic self-doubt
are looking for therapy that is validating, practical, and relational
This approach is especially supportive for adults who have spent much of their lives masking or over-functioning, and who are now seeking understanding rather than more pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
About ADHD Counselling
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ADHD counselling does not replace medical care, but many people seek therapy at different points in their ADHD journey.
Some people begin counselling before pursuing an ADHD assessment, while waiting for a diagnosis, alongside medication, or as a non-medication-based approach.
My therapeutic work focuses on insight, skills, emotional regulation, and self-understanding, whether or not medication is part of your treatment plan.
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No. Many patients begin counselling while exploring whether ADHD may be part of their experience. Therapy can help clarify patterns and offer support regardless of diagnosis.
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Yes. ADHD counselling often focuses on planning, organization, time management, and follow-through — in ways that are adapted to your brain.
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No. Therapy also addresses emotional regulation, burnout, self-worth, and the impact ADHD has had on your identity and relationships.
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Yes. I work with many women who were undiagnosed or misdiagnosed earlier in life and are seeking clarity, support, and self-understanding.
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Yes. I offer ADHD therapy online across British Columbia, as well as in-person sessions in Vancouver.
Book ADHD Counselling in Vancouver
If ADHD is affecting your focus, emotions, or sense of self, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Book a free 20-minute consultation to explore whether ADHD counselling is the right fit for you.
If you do not see any appointment times that work for you, please email connect@erinmalki.com, as I may have additional availability on my end.