How Goal-Focused Therapy Helps ADHD Adults Move Forward

Many adults with ADHD find themselves caught in a frustrating loop: big ideas, strong intentions… but somehow the follow-through never quite happens. You may feel like you’re constantly behind, overwhelmed by unfinished tasks, or unsure how to move forward on goals that genuinely matter to you.

This experience is not laziness or a lack of motivation, it’s often the result of how the ADHD brain functions. ADHD affects executive functioning, time awareness, planning, and emotional regulation. But with the right support, change is absolutely possible.

Adult ADHD is often under-recognised and misunderstood. While it might not look like the hyperactivity associated with childhood ADHD, it can have a significant impact on your daily life. Common signs include:

• Difficulty with focus and task initiation

• Forgetfulness or chronic lateness

• Feeling mentally overloaded

• High sensitivity to criticism or rejection

• Periods of high productivity followed by burnout

These challenges can affect work, relationships, and your overall sense of self-worth. Therapy can help by offering a structured, compassionate space to explore these issues and begin building sustainable strategies.

Goal-focused therapy is a collaborative approach that helps you:

• Set meaningful, achievable goals

• Break them into clear, manageable steps

• Work through barriers like procrastination, self-doubt, or perfectionism

• Create systems that support your natural rhythms and strengths

Rather than simply “fixing” behaviours, we explore what’s important to you and build a personalised plan that works with and your neurodivergent wiring.

You don’t need to have a formal ADHD diagnosis to benefit. If you identify with these experiences, therapy can support you in:

• Managing daily tasks and routines

• Navigating work stress or study pressure

• Developing emotional regulation and reducing overwhelm

• Building focus and follow-through on personal goals

• Reframing negative self-talk and internalised shame

A registered psychologist can provide therapy under the Mental Health Care Plan scheme. If you see your GP for a referral, you may be eligible for:

• 10 Medicare-rebated sessions per calendar year

• A $98.95 rebate per session

• Immediate processing after your appointment

Purple Rain Psychology is located in the heart of Double Bay, we work with adults across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs — including Woollahra, Bondi Junction, Bellevue Hill, and surrounding areas.

Purple Rain Psychology is a calm, private practice focused on:

• ADHD, anxiety, grief, eating concerns, and neurodivergence

• Strengths-based, affirming therapy

• Fidgets in our therapy room!

• Collaborative, non-judgemental support

• No waitlists and appointments available

Whether you're newly exploring ADHD or seeking more effective ways to manage it, we offer a safe, respectful space to begin.