Living with ADHD
Being diagnosed with ADHD later in life was both validating and transformative. Suddenly, patterns I had struggled with for years began to make sense — the constant mental juggling, the sensory sensitivities, the bursts of hyperfocus, and the burnout that often followed periods of masking.
Insights from My Journey
My own experiences of navigating education, work, and relationships as a neurodivergent person have given me a perspective that many clients recognise immediately. I understand first-hand:
The exhaustion of hiding traits to “fit in”
The frustration of being misunderstood or dismissed by professionals
The relief of finally having words for lifelong experiences
The challenge — and freedom — of learning to live authentically after diagnosis
Why It Matters in Therapy
This lived perspective is not separate from my professional role — it actively shapes it. When I sit with a client, I don’t just bring clinical knowledge of ADHD and autism. I bring lived understanding of what it actually feels like.
That means therapy with me is:
Empathetic — you don’t have to over-explain your experience, I get it
Practical — strategies are grounded in real-world challenges and strengths
Affirming — your identity is validated, not pathologised
Lived Experience in Training & Speaking
Beyond the therapy room, my ADHD lived experience also informs the training and public speaking I deliver. Professionals consistently tell me that this perspective makes my workshops and talks more relatable, practical, and impactful.
Bringing It All Together
Being both a psychotherapist and an ADHD adult means I stand on both sides of the conversation — the clinical and the personal. That dual perspective is at the heart of my work, whether I’m providing therapy, delivering CPD training, or speaking at a conference.
Let’s Connect
If you’re seeking ADHD or autism therapy in Limerick — or online therapy worldwide — I’d be happy to support you. My lived experience and clinical training come together to provide therapy that is real, affirming, and effective.
📞 Call/Text: 083 320 6162
📧 Email: info@robertrackley.ie
Learn more in my self-paced course, Could I Have ADHD? — designed to help adults understand their ADHD with clarity and confidence.
