Understanding ADHD: Beyond the Diagnosis, Q+A with Psychologist Jake Lamberton
Meet Jake Lamberton, a psychologist at Mind and Movement Clinic with a special interest in supporting people with ADHD and other neurodivergent experiences. Jake brings a collaborative, compassionate and neuro-affirming approach to therapy. We recently spoke with him about his interest in ADHD, recent developments in care, and what patients can expect when working with a psychologist when exploring ADHD or after a diagnosis.
Hi Jake, what led you to create a focus on ADHD in your practice?
The increased understanding of ADHD in recent years and just how all encompassing it can be as something to live with really motivated me to try and work with people with ADHD, and neuro-affirming care in general. I have a real passion personally for understanding how ADHD affects people neurobiologically but also how it impacts their day to day behaviour, emotions and cognition.
I also have lots of friends and family who identify as neurodiverse so seeing the benefits that therapy can have on people close to me and people who I have had the privilege of working with has increased my desire to continue to have ADHD as an area of focus and specialisation.
“seeing the benefits that therapy can have on people close to me and people who I have had the privilege of working with has increased my desire to continue to have ADHD as an area of focus and specialisation.”
Has anything changed recently in ADHD support or access to care?
The biggest change is probably in regard to the ease of access to psychiatric diagnosis as well as GP's soon being able to provide a formal diagnosis as well. In terms of psychological intervention, there continue to be innovations in how we can apply therapeutic principles to people struggling with ADHD symptoms.
More recent literature has suggested that not only is it important to work with the surface level skills of organisation, time management, distress tolerance and communication but that it is also important to work with some of the deeper sides to ADHD around interpersonal issues, impulsivity and rejection sensitivity.
What can patients expect when working with a therapist with an interest in this area like yourself?
They can expect someone who understands how tough it is to live with ADHD and how it can still feel difficult even after getting a diagnosis. For people who are questioning whether ADHD may fit for them they can expect someone who can explain how ADHD can vary person to person and how we can work together to figure out if an ADHD diagnosis is something they would like to pursue.
Therapeutically, I am a fan of making sure we cover surface level skills and ideas such as time management, distractibility, organisation skills and communication frameworks with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. But also making sure we cover deeper issues such as family and interpersonal issues, past traumas and attachment styles with Internal Family Systems Therapy.
Overall, they can expect someone who will take them seriously and listen and make sure we work towards what they would like their life to look like!
Jake Lamberton
Psychologist
Jake has been fortunate to work with a wide variety of people, including adolescents, older adults, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. He considers himself an ally to people from all walks of life. His curiosity about people and how they behave is what drew him to this work, and he loves learning each person’s story and finding compassionate, creative ways to support them in becoming the person they want to be.
Jake works collaboratively with clients to understand what matters most to them and build practical tools for navigating life's challenges. Drawing on approaches including ACT, CBT, DBT, Internal Family Systems Therapy, mindfulness and somatic-based therapies, he tailors support to each individual's needs and goals. Jake welcomes adolescents, older adults, members of the LGBTIQA+ community and people from diverse cultural backgrounds,
Whether you're exploring a possible ADHD diagnosis, adjusting to life after diagnosis, or looking for strategies to better manage everyday challenges, Jake offers a thoughtful, evidence-based and person-centred approach to care.