Discover an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Kara Davey, a clinical psychologist and ADHD coach, who shares her heartfelt journey through ADHD and perinatal trauma. Dr Davey opens up about her own experiences with perinatal loss and the profound ways these events magnified her ADHD symptoms, ultimately inspiring her to establish two businesses dedicated to trauma support and ADHD coaching. Her unique perspective, grounded in both professional expertise and personal experience, underscores the profound value of empathetic, relatable support from someone who truly understands what you're going through.
The episode also sheds light on broader issues, such as the disparities in psychological support for men following perinatal loss and the pressing need for better support systems in healthcare. Dr Davey touches on the heavy emotional toll faced by midwives and mental health professionals in perinatal loss services, highlighting the critical need for comprehensive psychological support to prevent burnout.
This is a must-listen for anyone seeking more profound understanding and practical tools for navigating the intersection of ADHD and trauma.
Dr. Kara Davey
About Kara

Dr Kara Davey is a clinical psychologist passionate about helping adults with ADHD. Kara is a trauma specialist with extensive perinatal training who understands how ADHD presents in both men and women, including how hormones, difficult life events and times of transition impact ADHD symptoms across the lifespan. Kara has ADHD herself, diagnosed after the traumatic stillbirth of her middle child, she also two has children with ADHD traits too. So, she knows the impact of ADHD on everyday life personally, too.

Kara understands that most adults with ADHD have never been taught the skills to thrive in a neurotypical world and is passionate about sharing the tools she has learnt personally and professionally to help other people benefit from them, too. Kara uses a wide range of evidence-based strategies to treat all factors contributing to a person’s challenges while also maximising the person’s strengths to help them improve both functioning and quality of life.

Some of the approaches Kara draws from to increase coaching effectiveness include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Services

Kara provides a range of ADHD services, including-

• NICE compliant ADHD assessments for adults,
• ADHD coaching to improve executive functioning; coping skills; communication skills; emotional regulation and/or productivity.
• Executive coaching for Senior Leaders
• Business coaching for ADHD entrepreneurs.
• Therapy, specifically tailored for adults with ADHD, including EMDR (trauma therapy), which can be exceptionally effective at improving emotional wellbeing and mental health given that so many ADHD’ers experience trauma in their lifetimes.
• Corporate Webinars
• Line Manager Training
• Consultation with HR professionals, managers and/or individuals wanting support to implement reasonable adjustments in the workplace.

Kara accepts Access to Work funding and is registered with insurance companies to provide both ADHD assessments, therapy adapted for ADHD, ADHD Coaching and coping skills training.

Links to find out more and access my free resources

ADHD Linktree: https://linktr.ee/drdaveyADHDcoaching

Baby loss and infertility Linktree- https://linktr.ee/alwaysinmyheart

Join Scott Mair in this heartwarming episode as we explore the stories and wisdom of family bonds within Scott’s unique, large, close-knit family. Scott shares laughter, struggles, and valuable lessons learned from living with multiple generations, highlighting the unique dynamics where siblings, despite their occasional scuffles, fiercely look out for one another. This episode gives you a peek into the essence of modern masculinity and the joy of nurturing children within a tight-knit family.

We discuss the tough topic of bullying and the ways traditional schools can sometimes miss the mark when it comes to educating our neurodivergent kids. We hear Scott’s personal stories about homeschooling and how children with autism and ADHD can truly shine in the right learning environment. Scott inspires and advocates for an approach that genuinely embraces the unique strengths of neurodiverse individuals.

We talk about the challenges of long-term relationships and parenting within neurodiverse families. Drawing from his 26-year marriage to his wonderful wife, Sarah, we chat about the importance of mutual support, understanding, and empathy, especially when dealing with autism and ADHD. We discuss our experiences with perinatal mental health, PTSD, and how communication evolves within family life.

This episode celebrates the power of patience, trust, and self-care, offering a deeper look into the complexities and beauty of family life. Join Scott and me for a genuine conversation that celebrates the resilience and love within neurodiverse families. This is an inspiring and uplifting episode.
Scott Mair
Scott Mair is a leading expert in paternal mental health and parenting, navigating the often uncharted territory of fatherhood with remarkable insight. He highlights the crucial intersection of paternal mental health and effective parenting, combining his professional knowledge with an empathetic perspective rooted in personal experience. Scott offers a comprehensive guide for fathers tackling the challenges of parenthood and those seeking to support them. As an advocate for change, Scott champions father inclusivity at national and local levels, emphasizing fathers' essential role in family dynamics.
His initiatives include successfully establishing father support networks and utilising his military experience as an Infantry soldier to develop specialised resources for dads in high-pressure situations. Scott also provides consultancy services to health organizations and the corporate sector. Scott, a highly sought-after keynote speaker and guest lecturer, engages with current and future healthcare practitioners and family service providers. His work focuses on understanding the father’s journey, particularly during the perinatal period, stressing the importance of early engagement to foster emotionally supported parents and ensure the best outcomes for children.
Fatherhood Solutions: https://www.ipip.co.uk

I loved this open and sincere discussion with Sarah Mair, an extraordinary woman with an enriching life journey. Sarah, a mother of seven boys, stands as a passionate advocate for pregnant women and families with neurodiverse children. Beyond her family role, she is the operational manager of Fatherhood Solutions, showcasing her exceptional multitasking abilities. Together with her husband, Scott, Sarah has crafted a unique and adaptable home education approach that caters specifically to the individual needs of their children. This approach reflects Sarah's love for practical, hands-on learning experiences. Sarah provides valuable insights into how her past experiences have shaped her educational philosophy. She discusses her recognition of ADHD and her unwavering resolve to challenge traditional educational norms.

Sarah shares her experiences as a military family member, starting with her first pregnancy at 20 and the complexities that came with it. She touches on the realities of being a young parent far from family, the crucial support she received from her husband and the military community, and how these connections strengthened during challenging times. Her experience with glandular fever, managing ongoing fatigue, and balancing physical health with the demands of neurodiversity provide an unfiltered view into the realities of her life.

Sarah’s traumatic childbirth experiences have fuelled her advocacy for improved maternity and neonatal care, reflecting her dedication to ensuring better support for neurodivergent families. She speaks candidly about postpartum complications, sepsis, and how therapy played a transformative role in her journey. Her commitment to enhancing support for neurodiverse families emphasises the importance of personalised care and how it can make a difference to the well-being of families. This episode offers a chance to hear Sarah's story in her own words, filled with hard-earned insights and a genuine passion for driving change in healthcare services.

Host Laura Spence sits down with Rianna Bailey for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about her transformative journey from teaching in a traditional classroom to embracing a career in Pilates—a decision rooted in prioritising her family’s needs. As a mother navigating the complexities of ADHD and autism within her household, Rianna shares how seeking help for her children led to life-altering self-discoveries for both her and her husband.
This episode offers a raw and honest exploration of the emotional and practical challenges of parenting in a neurodivergent family. Rianna recounts the pivotal decision to homeschool her daughter after the devastating impact of school-related trauma, shedding light on the shortcomings of traditional educational systems. Drawing from her experience as a former educator, she reflects on her personal growth from a limited understanding of diverse learning needs to becoming a passionate advocate for systemic change and inclusivity in education.
Laura and Rianna delve into the intricacies of living as a neurodivergent individual in a society often unprepared to accommodate differences. They discuss the dual diagnosis of ADHD and autism, highlighting how these conditions are uniquely present in women and children, frequently resulting in late or missed diagnoses. Through Rianna’s candid storytelling, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the misunderstandings, stigma, and systemic gaps that neurodivergent individuals and their families encounter.
The conversation takes a poignant turn as they explore the hidden struggles faced by neurodivergent mothers, particularly during significant life transitions like perimenopause and the postpartum period. Rianna opens up about the compounded challenges of managing ADHD symptoms amidst hormonal changes, societal pressures, and the pursuit of a balanced and fulfilling life.
The episode concludes with a powerful message advocating for more inclusive and compassionate approaches to education, diagnostics, and community support. Through shared experiences and mutual understanding, Laura and Rianna inspire listeners to embrace a culture of acceptance and empowerment for neurodivergent individuals and their families.
PDA is a cause close to Rianna's heart, please donate to this wonderful cause.
https://avqubefl.donorsupport.co/page/RiannasFundraiser

In this special edition episode, I discuss a charity close to my heart...

Maternal mental health inequalities in the UK create life-or-death disparities for women before, during, and after pregnancy. The Maternal Mental Health Alliance works to ensure every mother receives appropriate support, but significant gaps remain—particularly for neurodivergent and ethnic minority women.
• One in five women experience perinatal mental health problems ranging from mild anxiety to severe postpartum psychosis
• Access to specialist services varies widely by location creating a dangerous "postcode lottery"
• Black women are four times more likely to die in childbirth than white women and face additional barriers to mental health care
• Neurodivergent mothers (ADHD/autistic) face higher risks for perinatal mental health conditions
• Traditional screening tools often miss neurodivergent mothers as they aren't designed with their experiences in mind
• Women like Zara, Aisha, and Emma represent thousands who have been dismissed by the healthcare system
• One in four female adults with ADHD will attempt suicide at some point in their lives
• Improving services requires universal access, addressing racial disparities, and tailoring support for neurodivergent mothers
Please consider supporting the Maternal Mental Health Alliance by donating to help fight for better perinatal mental health services for all mothers.
Donate to the Maternal Mental Health Alliance:

https://donate.maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/campaign/donate-92838/

Podcasthon.org is about convincing as many hosts as possible

To dedicate one episode of their show

To a charity of their choice

And to release these episodes simultaneously, in a coordinated effort, mid-March 2025

Creating a massive and international wave of inspiring audio content.

The objective? To raise awareness for a huge number of charities worldwide.