Book Review: Scattered Minds by Dr. Gabor Maté – A Compassionate Lens on ADHD
- Valerie MacNeil M.Ed., RCC
- May 16
- 2 min read
If you or someone you love lives with ADHD, Scattered Minds by Dr. Gabor Maté is a powerful and validating read. As a registered clinical counsellor specializing in adult ADHD here in Victoria, BC, and someone who has ADHD, I often recommend this book to clients because of its deeply human, trauma-informed approach to understanding the ADHD experience.
Rather than viewing ADHD as simply a disorder of attention or impulse control, Dr. Maté explores it as a complex and nuanced response to early stress and emotional disconnection. With compassion and insight, he weaves together personal stories, research, and clinical experience to reframe ADHD not as a flaw, but as an adaptation—one that makes sense given a person’s early environment.
One of the most meaningful aspects of Scattered Minds is how it invites self-understanding without blame. Dr. Maté doesn’t offer quick fixes, but rather encourages a healing journey grounded in self-awareness, emotional honesty, and connection. For many adults who were missed or misdiagnosed in childhood, his words offer relief: “You’re not broken. You make sense.”
As a therapist, I see every day how adults with ADHD often carry shame, self-doubt, or the burden of not living up to expectations. But I also see incredible creativity, resilience, and insight. My work is about helping people recognize those strengths, understand the roots of their challenges, and build strategies that are kind, practical, and sustainable.
If Scattered Minds resonates with you, know that you don’t have to navigate ADHD alone. Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been managing ADHD for years, counselling can offer a supportive space to better understand your brain, reduce overwhelm, and move forward with more confidence and self-compassion.
I currently offer in-person, or virtual individual counselling and group support (group coming Fall 2025) for adults with ADHD in Victoria, BC. My approach combines evidence-based tools with a warm, non-judgmental presence—because healing and change are possible when we feel seen, heard, and accepted.
If you're curious about working together, or simply want to learn more, I welcome you to visit the link below and book a free 20-minute consult or an appointment today.
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