Heather Darwall-Smith Psychotherapist

18/04/2026

Going home after an incredible week with chief Queenager at and walking a section of the Camino. So much to reflect on, the highs and lows but also the beauty of connection. A pilgrimage such as the Camino, whether you are religious or not offers a profound opportunity to drop down into the deeper levels of spirituality and reflect on what it is to be here. Thank you to the whole group, the support, the sisterhood as we walk across the threshold of midlife.

10/04/2026

If you’re Autistic and have ADHD – or think you might be – this one is for you. 🧡
Living with AuDHD isn’t just “a bit of both.” It’s its own experience, its own challenges, and frankly it deserves its own dedicated space to actually understand what’s going on.

That’s exactly what this 8-week online course is. No fluff. Just genuinely useful, expert-led knowledge – from diagnosis to daily life, relationships to burnout, sensory overload to sleep (yes, I’m in there too 👋).

5 experts. 8 weeks. Everything you actually need to know.
📅 Sundays, 12 April — 31 May ⏰ 5pm–7pm GMT+1 💻 Online

🎟️ Grab your spot here: 👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/living-with-audhd-an-8-week-expert-led-course-online-tickets-1983879865081

If you know someone who’s been trying to make sense of their AuDHD brain – tag them, share this, send it to them right now. This is exactly the kind of thing that can genuinely change how someone understands themselves. ❤️

10/04/2026

The number one rule of sleep? You have to actually be sleepy. Simple, right?
So why is it that so many people with ADHD are exhausted – but the moment their head hits the pillow, their brain decides it’s showtime? 🧠

There’s a biological reason for this. It’s not a discipline problem and it’s not a mindset problem. It is absolutely, categorically not your fault – and most people have no idea this even exists.

I’ll be unpacking all of it at Seed Talks on 7th May.

📍 21 Soho, London ⏰ Doors 7pm | Start 7:30pm 🔞 18+ 💻 Livestream available too

🎟️ Grab your ticket here: 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-psychotherapists-guide-to-adhd-sleep-tickets-1985129782618?utm_source=Venue_speaker&utm_medium=Venue_speaker&utm_campaign=na&utm_content=na

Know someone who jokes that sleep is their nemesis? Tag them. Share this. Send it to their WhatsApp at 3am when they’re definitely still awake. 😂

23/03/2026

Drum roll…
I’m so excited (and if I’m honest, a little bit nervous!) to be doing an in-person and live-streamed event with the wonderful Seed Talks to celebrate the launch of my new book, The ADHD Sleep Book.
It’s published on 30th April with Penguin Random House UK, and we’ll be live both in London and live streaming on 7th May at 21Soho.
This book means such a lot to me. Its the first of its kind - I just haven’t been able to understand why that is because sleep issues sit at the absolute core of ADHD. The knock on effect of that breaks my heart everyday in my therapy practice.
Sleep and ADHD is something that affects so many people (me included) – whether neurodiverse or not – and I really hope it helps bring more understanding (and support) to something that’s often overlooked. There is a game changing element at the heart of this - you’ll have to come along to find out more!
I’d absolutely love to see you there – do come and say hello
And if you know someone who might need this, please do share far and wide!

For inperson tickets: https://lnkd.in/e8m-ezeq

For online: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-psychotherapists-guide-to-adhd-sleep-tickets-1985129782618?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/03/2026

🌙 Do you experience or , and trouble ? 🧠💤

The sleep team at the University of Oxford are running a study where the aim is to compare two behavioural interventions to see which is more effective at improving sleep and mental health.

Who are we looking for? Volunteers:
Aged 18 to 40 years
Who experience trouble sleeping
With depression or anxiety
Who are living in the area

For more information:

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

28/02/2026

So this happened this week. Wrote some words, had some pictures taken. Always have heaps to say about sleep. Thank you to for featuring me and my books.

How To Be Awake So You Can Sleep Through The Night

https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/how-to-be-awake-so-you-can-sleep-through-the-night-heather-darwall-smith

The ADHD Sleep Book, available for pre-order, published April 30th

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/477710/the-adhd-sleep-book-by-darwall-smith-heather/9781529979633

life 😉

14/02/2026

I’m delighted to announce that I’m speaking on the amazing Seed Talks platform presenting my 6-week online course, “The Science of ADHD & Sleep,” starting Monday, 23 February 2026, at 18:30 UK time.

Drawn from behind the curtain of my psychotherapeutic practice, the endless piles of books and papers that I hoard, and the many, many clients who’ve shared their nocturnal battles with me, for me: ADHD and sleep is a huge part of my day to day work and it can be hard to find support.

Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/adhd-sleep-a-6-week-course-online-tickets-1978379452198?utm_source=Venue_speaker&utm_medium=Venue_speaker&utm_campaign=na&utm_content=na

And share with anyone you know who is challenged by the collision of ADHD and sleep.
The sessions are designed to be accessible, non-judgmental, and genuinely helpful for ADHD brains. So, if sleep has been a struggle for you or someone you know, this could make a real difference.

03/02/2026

🚨 BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT ALERT 🚨
Friends, everyone with ADHD, tired brains everywhere… I’ve been secretly (well, not-so-secretly to my closest people) working on a passion project for ages, and today I get to shout it from the rooftops:
The ADHD Sleep Book is happening – and it drops end of April!!
This book is all about giving us the sleep knowledge we actually need explained in a way that’s clear, gentle, and shame-free.
My whole aim? Strip away the self-blame (“Why am I like this?”) and bring in the compassion and understanding we deserve for something that affects so many of us so deeply. Sleep isn’t just” another thing we’re bad at” – it’s a core part of ADHD that’s been ignored for too long.
If late nights, revenge bedtime procrastination, or feeling wired when you’re supposed to be winding down sound familiar… this one’s for you.
Pre-publication link is below, pre-order if you can, and let me know in the comments: what’s the hardest part of sleep for YOUR ADHD brain? I’d love to hear (and maybe it’ll make the next edition even better 😉)
Let’s get some better rest together. 🌟

Pre-order now
Available in paperback, audio and kindle

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/477710/the-adhd-sleep-book-by-darwall-smith-heather/9781529979633

Register for inside news on what’s coming at www.adhdsleepclub.com

And follow on instagram

25/01/2026

I see people who fear sleep all the time and it’s curious how differently it manifests for each person. Key to dealing with it is building practices and skills at a time when you feel more in control so that once they are bedded in, when stress levels rise, you know what to do.
Yes this work can take time, and I really do know that you might be desperate for a quick fix but just the fact that you are consciously working on it starts to change things. Overtime, the fear softens, your body can let go of whatever reason it has to create the fear in the first place.
If this is you, and you have conquered your fear be it of sleep or anything else, let me know what worked as I am always interested to hear more.

25/01/2026

Fear of sleep is really common in my work and it comes in so many different guises. One thing common to all experiences of it it’s the need to learn to soothe the fear and build new skills during the day so you can transfer them to the night. I know you want a quick fix but the fear and its impact have likely had time to grow so your body and mind need time to learn some internal trust. Different things work for different people but moving the work to a time when you feel safe and in control is a game changer.

Let me know things that have worked for you and keep following for more.