From Diagnosis to Distinction: Building an Inclusive Aesthetics Clinic with ADHD

I’m proud to share that my aesthetics practice, based in Norfolk, was recently awarded ‘Inclusive Business of the Year 2025’ at the SOS Beauty Awards in Manchester. Receiving this recognition was an incredible honour, especially for an award that carries such deep personal significance. I never imagined I would one day be invited on stage to accept an award in the field of aesthetics, let alone one that aligns so closely with my values around inclusivity and neurodiversity.

I was formally diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in November 2024. For the first time, a lifetime of challenges, obstacles, and even some unexpectedly useful skills began to make sense. Until that point, I had largely managed to navigate life by “muddling through,” but receiving a formal diagnosis brought clarity and validation.

Before the assessment, my therapist asked a thought-provoking question: How would having a diagnosis help? Would it change anything? 

For me, understanding that many of my struggles could be attributed to ADHD allowed me to approach myself with greater compassion rather than criticism. It marked a shift, from judgment to kindness, in how I show up for myself.

Confirming my ADHD diagnosis proved to be unexpectedly complex and protracted. It took several weeks of thorough assessments, including numerous questionnaires, emails, and phone calls. A key reason for the delayed recognition was the highly structured environment I experienced throughout childhood and adolescence, which had effectively masked many of my symptoms. I attended a school with small class sizes and a tightly scheduled day. I balanced academic rigor, studying Chemistry and Biology A levels alongside Spanish, with a variety of extracurricular activities that provided creative outlets.

As I became more independent in adulthood, more symptoms began to surface. However, I often managed to leverage these traits to my advantage. On the hospital wards, I could recall patients’ hospital numbers, lab results, and imaging reports with ease. I was able to hyperfocus in preparation for exams and appraisals, while simultaneously keeping pace with ward rounds, listening, typing, walking, and steering the infamous “computer on wheels.” I found myself thriving in high-intensity environments such as A&E and psychiatry, where the variety, unpredictability, and need for calm under pressure suited my strengths. My creativity, problem-solving abilities, and flexible communication style were assets in these settings.

It wasn’t until 2020, during a conversation with a consultant from the NHS Practitioner Health Programme (PHP), that ADHD was first raised as a possible diagnosis. The more I read, the more things began to make sense. As many doctors do, I had been adept at assessing others’ mental health while overlooking my own. The signs had been there all along.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily paused the diagnostic process, this period of hybrid working and increased flexibility actually proved beneficial. I found the lockdown environment allowed me to problem-solve creatively and thrive in a space where traditional norms were temporarily suspended and there was greater emphasis on mental health and wellbeing.

In 2024 I decided to investigate this potential diagnosis more seriously. I compiled extensive notes detailing symptoms, life events, and challenges. The patterns were clear, and ADHD appeared to be a fitting explanation. I booked a private assessment and completed the (admittedly lengthy) questionnaires, no small feat for someone with predominantly inattentive symptoms. Following confirmation of the diagnosis, I adopted a holistic treatment plan incorporating medication, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and digital tools. It was initially overwhelming, but over time, I was able to identify what was most effective.

As my therapist wisely put it: “Take what works and leave the rest, for later”.

This diagnosis ignited a deep desire to learn more about neurodiversity in general. I completed three diplomas in rapid succession, thanks once more to my hyperfocus, earning distinctions in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, ADHD Awareness, and Neurodiversity Awareness. As I gained better insight, I began to reflect on the development of my aesthetics clinic and realised how organically it had evolved to accommodate my neurodivergent needs.

I listed the clinic’s unique features and was struck by how many could be classified as ‘reasonable adjustments’. Appointments are spaced generously to allow breaks for both myself and clients, accommodating the possibility of late arrivals due to traffic, forgetfulness, or anxiety. Reminder emails are sent the day before. Items are strategically placed within the clinic to promote movement during consultations, and environmental distractions are minimised. I have deliberately chosen not to share before-and-after images online to preserve client confidentiality and reduce the risk of criticism, something people with ADHD can be particularly sensitive to.

The clinic is discreetly located away from high-traffic areas, with no waiting room, and the environment is easily adjustable in terms of lighting and temperature. I can also offer clients bottled water, coloured overlays for reading, walk-throughs of procedures, and appointment timing flexibility. These accommodations are guided by a simple principle: I have designed the experience I would want for myself.

I adhere to Good Medical Practice guidelines, including the provision of written information and a mandatory cooling-off period following consultations. These measures offer structure, which benefits both clients and me. Written communication allows me to revisit important information as needed, and visual aids enhance clarity. I also manage administrative tasks in short, focused bursts throughout the day, aligning with my natural concentration patterns.

Specialising in natural-looking aesthetics, I have come to appreciate how my neurodivergent perspective has helped carve out a distinctive niche in a saturated industry. I aim to provide a welcoming, inclusive environment for individuals like myself. My clinic is recognised as a LGBTQ+ safe space and is listed with several regional wellbeing services and directories. In 2025, I attended the ACE conference in London and became a brand ambassador for Prepaere, a new mental health initiative within the aesthetics industry. Clients frequently comment on my visible enthusiasm, especially when I discuss new products or techniques, and I’ve learned to channel my impulsivity and hyperfocus into business initiatives, such as launching new treatments or organising events like our 8th anniversary celebration.

In recent years, I decided to start entering industry awards to showcase my work and was fortunate to receive several recognitions, including:

• GB Beauty 2024 – National Winner: Aesthetician of the Year and Best Aesthetics of the Year

• Beauty Full Awards 2023 & 2024 – Silver Winner: Most Inclusive Business

• British Beauty Awards (BBA) 2024 – Winner: Best Salon Décor

Over the past eight years, my clinic has grown steadily, primarily through word of mouth and I now have the privilege of devoting more time to it. Living and working in a neurotypical world as a neurodivergent individual can be challenging, but it can also be uniquely rewarding.