Advanced ADHD Diagnostic Pre-screening Assessments & Coaching Services in London, Chester & UK-wide remotely.
David Downes doesn’t fit easily into one box — and he wouldn’t want to.
His journey has taken him from the control room of a Royal Navy submarine to the boardrooms of a multimillion-pound tech company, and now, into the heart of psychotherapy practice. But beneath the qualifications and accomplishments lies a far more complex story — one m
David Downes doesn’t fit easily into one box — and he wouldn’t want to.
His journey has taken him from the control room of a Royal Navy submarine to the boardrooms of a multimillion-pound tech company, and now, into the heart of psychotherapy practice. But beneath the qualifications and accomplishments lies a far more complex story — one marked by trauma, survival, and extraordinary resilience.
David grew up in a family shaped by loss, silence, and hardship. As a child, he survived emotional trauma no one spoke about. As an adult, he walked away from two near-fatal accidents, both involving serious head injuries, fractured bones, and spinal trauma — the kind of experiences that force a complete re-evaluation of life and identity.
He carries those stories quietly. But they shape everything he does.
David received his ADHD diagnosis in his sixties — and for him, it felt like a light being turned on in a room he’d been living in all his life.
It explained the hyperfocus. The impulsivity. The emotional intensity. The restlessness. And it also explained how he’d managed to survive and thrive — through grit, humour, resourcefulness, and a
David received his ADHD diagnosis in his sixties — and for him, it felt like a light being turned on in a room he’d been living in all his life.
It explained the hyperfocus. The impulsivity. The emotional intensity. The restlessness. And it also explained how he’d managed to survive and thrive — through grit, humour, resourcefulness, and an uncanny ability to adapt under pressure.
His lived experience with adult ADHD, combined with years of clinical expertise, understanding the complexities of trauma vs ADHD or both. Allows him to support others with rare insight and genuine compassion.
He knows what it’s like to feel misunderstood. He knows how trauma and ADHD can tangle together. And he knows how powerful it can be when someone finally sees you — as you are.
From corporate HR to clinical therapy and coaching, Rebecca’s path has always centred on helping people make sense of overwhelm, because she’s lived it too.
Raised in silence around chaos, Rebecca survived childhood abuse, domestic violence, and profound loss — including the death of their baby son and the long decline of both parents.
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From corporate HR to clinical therapy and coaching, Rebecca’s path has always centred on helping people make sense of overwhelm, because she’s lived it too.
Raised in silence around chaos, Rebecca survived childhood abuse, domestic violence, and profound loss — including the death of their baby son and the long decline of both parents.
Alongside this, she masked undiagnosed neurodivergence for decades, quietly navigating dyslexia, chronic pain, and autism traits without a name.
Now a BACP-accredited psychotherapist and certified coach, ADHD/AuADHD UKAAN trained. Rebecca supports clients from diverse backgrounds — often late-diagnosed, overwhelmed, or quietly carrying too much.
Like David, her survival doesn’t define her. But it shapes everything she brings into the room.
We're here for the people who’ve been told they’re “too much,” “too sensitive,” “too messy,” or “too emotional” — and still kept going anyway.
We believe getting support shouldn’t feel like sitting an exam.
We believe being understood can be life-changing.and we believe that humour, honesty, and heart are just as important as clinical expertise.
We’re not here to “fix” you. We’re here to help you understand yourself — and build a life that actually works for how your brain is wired.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress, permission, and feeling a little less alone.
Let’s be honest — the mental health world can sometimes feel like alphabet soup: DSM-5, EHCP, QbCheck, UKAAN...
We translate that for you.
Our job isn’t to impress you with terminology. It’s to make the complex stuff understandable, actionable, and actually useful in your real life. Whether we’re explaining your screening results, writing a referral letter, or helping you prepare to speak with your GP — we keep it clear, kind, and practical.
Because support should feel supportive — not like sitting an exam.
We don’t just hand you a form and send you on your way.
We offer:
We’re here for the whole journey — not just the paperwork.
If you’ve ever felt dismissed, misunderstood, or just plain exhausted trying to get answers about ADHD, AuADHD, trauma, or emotional overwhelm — you’re in the right place.
At D R Downes Consulting, we do things differently. We’re a husband-and-wife team of BACP-accredited psychotherapists, combining lived experience, clinical training, and compassionate care to support adults, young people, and families navigating ADHD, AuADHD, neurodivergence, and trauma.
We don’t just work with neurodivergence — we live it.
David was diagnosed with ADHD at age 60 after a lifetime of clever workarounds and misunderstood struggles. Rebecca scores high on autism screening and has lived with dyslexia since childhood. We know firsthand what it means to feel different — and how powerful it is to finally feel understood.
We offer support that’s grounded in science — but delivered with real-world empathy.
Most therapy practices are solo. We’re not.
We collaborate — with each other, and with you. That means our clients benefit from two experienced therapists who work across specialisms and styles:
We blend our expertise to create a service that’s flexible, responsive, and deeply human.
Its simple, get it touch. We’re happy to help.
37th Floor, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AA, United Kingdom
Today | By Appointment |
Mon-Fri: 08:30 am - 6:00 pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday