Integrative Attention and Somatic Processing Therapy (IASP) for women with an adult diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A pilot study.

This counselling intervention draws from a number of well-established therapeutic theories and techniques which have been synthesised and customised to meet the challenges associated with a late diagnosis of ADHD in women. Although not intended to be strictly manualised, the intervention will include the following processes: Establishing Trusting Relationship 1. Establish a sense of epistemic trust between therapist and client via provision of: a. deep listening b. non-verbal and somatic feedback c. a non-judgemental stance Attending to interoceptive awareness 2. Attend to the patient’s cues around interoceptive awareness and their ability to connect with their sense of self by paying particular focus to: a. the minute particulars of both the patient’s story and their somatic cues b. their diffuse awareness (inattention) c. experiences of shame d. experiences of guilt associated with ADHD symptoms Focused Mentalization 3. Explore and process patient’s mentalization especially of: a. confused inner experiences b. social cognitions c. paradoxical experiences Support the development of self-compassion 4. Aid patient in understanding and appreciating self-compassion by: a. providing psychoeducation b. reviewing and reframing identity injuries c. developing capacity for acceptance of challenging experiences and their subjective meaning d. practising self-compassion Activation of hope and strategic action 5. Support the patient’s discovery of hope for positive change through: a. reimagined identity b. continued development of robust personal agency c. the development of identity aligned goals d. exploration of goal pathways The intervention will be delivered by Dr Denis O'Hara and Dr Kate Witteveen, both of whom have over 20 years' counselling experience and are the developers of the approach. The intervention will be delivered in 8 x 60-minute face-to-face counselling sessions, delivered over a course of approximately 16 weeks (one session every two weeks) at the UQ With You Counselling Clinic, located at 17 Upland Rd, St Lucia. Video recordings of the sessions will be assessed with the fidelity checklist developed specifically for this study. Fidelity checking will be conducted by two independent assessors, Dr Jim Schirmer and Mr Michael Ellwood. Dr Schirmer and Mr Ellwood are both experienced counsellors with over 15 years of experience and have been trained in the approach. The intervention and control groups will be matched by age to ensure both groups include a similar age range. This is to ensure any treatment effects are not influenced by age.