Hi, I’m Dr. Roberta Locatelli

I’m a coach and neurodiversity consultant on a mission to empower neurodivergent academics to thrive, and to transform universities into neuroinclusive spaces.

more about me

Understand your unique brain, learn to work with it and build your  personal toolkit  that will empower you to realize your full potential

Whether you're an ADHD academic, a graduate student, or a driven professional, I'll help you learn how your fast, unstoppable brain actually works and give you the strategies to stop feeling overworked and start realising your full potential. Coaching is available in English and Italian, one-to-one or in small groups.

I offer consulting and training in Universities and organisations to help your organisation build genuinely neuroinclusive environments — from policy and practice audits to staff training grounded in the latest research.

I also speak publicly on neurodiversity, bringing both lived experience and a background in philosophy of neuroscience to conversations about how we think, work, and thrive differently.

Work with me

  • For ADHD academics and professionals ready to trade “soldiering through” for strategies that actually fit

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  • For universities and organisations building neuroinclusive practice

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  • Speaking engagements that combine coaching experience, original thinking on the philosophy of neurodiversity, and rigorous engagement with the science.

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Testimonials

  • When I sought coaching with Dr Roberta, I was at a very low point. After my late diagnosis, I was struggling with low self-esteem and self-doubts, while trying to advocate for myself in a very unsupportive work environment and I ended up on sick leave. I would give anything to have had Dr Roberta's guidance at the beginning of all of this- the good news is ADHD Coaching has been life-changing – which sounds far-fetched but only halfway into our sessions, I'm beginning to find the person in me that I thought I had lost. I can't explain how thankful I am for this, it makes me emotional and proud whilst reflecting on how far I've come during this process. Having someone to talk to that genuinely understands and can relate, to affirm and validate what I'm feeling, and being able to recognise and accept the behaviours that are my ADHD is a relief to say the least. This process has given me the strength to want to try again, un-masked.

    Amy Johns, University Senior Lecturer, UK

  • I started working with Roberta when I needed to finish my PhD dissertation in time to start my job, after having worked on it for several years. I had tried dissertation coaching for a while, but it didn’t seem to help that much. I would put together a writing/research plan with the help of the dissertation coach but then had a hard time following through because we weren’t addressing the underlying issues. Roberta helped me understand that what I need help with wasn’t the “hard” stuff (like research and writing), but what we tend to think of as the “easy” stuff (like sitting down to write, figuring out how to leave the house on time, planning ahead to make sure lunch is taken care of, etc.). Indeed, with Roberta’s support, I got the PhD in time to start my job (and finished an MA in a different discipline too!). The sessions with Roberta always feel like a totally judgment-free zone. It feels like nothing is too insignificant to bring up and it’s totally okay (and often helpful!) if tricky feelings come up around something we’re discussing. I would absolutely recommend working with Roberta. In fact, I already have. Her warm-heartedness, non-judgmental curiosity and super-sharp insights make her a great coach!

    C.B., Assistant Professor, USA

  • When I reached out to Roberta, Internalized PDA, Executive Dysfunction, and Perfectionism had robbed me of my hobbies. My brain said "no!" to all the things that were fun, that brought me joy. I have been to dozens of psychologists, social workers, and counsellors over the last decade and a half. While this has given me tremendous self awareness, it never made any impact on my ability to actually DO my hobbies. Roberta has been able to use the insights I've gained from therapy to help me develop Real, Actionable strategies that allow me to work around the trauma and life stressors. I am actually DOING the things I want to do!! I've only been working with Roberta for a month and a half, and the changes have been huge. Not only have I been regaining my ability to engage with and enjoy my hobbies, but the strategies she's helped me figure out are able to be applied to other aspects of my life, too. The biggest change, however, is the amount of Hope I have. I truly believe that, by continuing my work with Roberta, my life will become so, so much happier. I feel like Roberta really understands what I'm going through, on a medical AND personal level. Everyone deserves to feel Seen, and to receive Insights and Strategies that they can actually use to change their life for the better... and Roberta is someone who can truly provide that.

    Angie, Adult with ADHD, Canada

  • Roberta is not just a coach, she is a life transformer. She makes me feel safe and comfortable even while asking me powerful and thought provoking questions. She really understands people and has a knack for getting right to the heart of the matter straight away. Roberta's appreciation of the human experience is apparent in every conversation. I highly recommend her.

    Yehuda, Educator, Israel

  • I found coaching with Roberta incredibly beneficial. After each coaching session, my chaotic thoughts have become structured, and I was able to see the bigger picture. Roberta is a wonderful thinking partner and helped me realize how I can build my business in a way that really suits my interests and my ADHD brain.

    Silvia, Entrepreneur, Switzerland

  • When I approached Roberta, I had just started a new job after leaving academia. I was burned out and stressed about managing both symptoms of burnout and ADHD all while starting a new job with very little time off/break between jobs. I had counseling in the past, and career coaching, but never with a focus on managing my ADHD. I have worked with and supported neurodivergent children and their families for years. Working with Roberta, I was amazed to find that many of the supports and strategies I have taught for years can be applied in my HOME and in my work life. Since starting working with Roberta, I have given myself permission to utilize lots of strategies, and to try things I have never tried and may have never even thought to try for my own self until now. Roberta also helped me realize that I had been SO hard on myself in my old life, internally (and often subconsciously) beating myself up for not being or doing enough... Thanks to Roberta’s encouragement to think back at my “wins”, celebrate them, and dust them off (from the dust that perhaps others had kicked on), I started a journaling practice where I discovered SO much about all the "wins" over the past decade and more! I would recommend this coaching service to any friend...especially those with ADHD. Roberta has been able to quickly establish rapport with me, and has been able to encourage me to come up with solutions to my challenges on my own, but with the expert guidance that I so desperately needed!

    Kara, Research Scientist, USA

  • I started working with Roberta, at a time when I was staying with my parents while taking a semester off from university, due to recurring severe depressive episodes, and a lack of understanding of my own mental health, which interfered with my personal wellbeing and academic performance. Working with Roberta is the best thing I did for my mental health. I tried psychological counselling before, which provided temporary relief, but the impact was short-lived. Through my work with Roberta, I started acquiring (and I am constantly expanding) an understanding of why my brain/internal dialogue defaults to certain thought patterns and behaviors. This has allowed me to develop a healthier relationship with tending to my needs and personal fulfillment in life, allowing myself what I deserve, and accepting help when in need. Roberta’s compassionate and non-judgmental approach and practical understanding of ADHD has helped massively in validating many of my struggles thus far in life, and making me not feel like a failure for struggling with them for so long. I would recommend working with Roberta with absolutely zero hesitation.

    Thomas, University Student, USA

  • Working with Roberta has sparked in me a new sense of hope for the future and more confidence in what I can do going forward. After years of indecisiveness, I made the decision to walk away from a profession that has always made me feel inauthentic. I gained the confidence to start a new career path, where I know I will be able to express my strengths at best and have a positive impact on others, and the clarity to know what needs to be done in the next couple of years do to get there. The first step towards this renewed hope and confidence was giving myself permission to genuinely grieve all the things I wasn’t able to do in the past. This has significantly reduced my level of anxiety and guilt. As a result, the organization of my daily life has become more fluid, less artificial, and more effective.

    Maddalena, Freelancer, Italy

  • When I first approached Roberta, I was at a dead end in terms of support for my ADHD. Small things like setting a daily work plan felt like massive uphill battles. Generic coaching through my employer was supportive, but their strategies didn’t stick. I became frustrated explaining myself, as they just didn’t understand ADHD. In my first session with Roberta, we came up with strategies together, and Roberta went further by pointing out unique hurdles due to ADHD, and how to overcome them. I didn’t need to explain myself, and it felt like a weight fell off. I finally felt supported and understood. Roberta understands not only the challenges of ADHD, but also working in academia and academic careers. Now I’m developing good work habits that are easier to maintain, and I have new strategies to make my brain work for me.

    D. P., Academic Researcher, UK

  • Our son Thomas started working with Roberta during a challenging period in his life. He was attending university, while struggling with recurring bouts of depression, academic difficulties, low self-esteem, and negative self-talk. We took him to several cognitive behavioral therapists, had him evaluated and tested for mental health conditions and disabilities, and had his IQ tested. Despite these efforts, he continued to face significant challenges. Since starting coaching, we’ve noticed remarkable improvements in Thomas. He has learned to embrace the value of organization, recognizing that while it’s difficult for him, it ultimately brings peace of mind and fulfilment. His communication skills have also improved, as he’s been able to express his struggles and needs more openly. Additionally, he has made progress in adapting ADHD management strategies to work for him and better serve his needs. Most importantly, his confidence has grown as he has seen his efforts translate into real, tangible results. Our relationship with the coach has been fantastic. She has been prompt in her communications, flexible with scheduling, and incredibly supportive throughout the process. We would wholeheartedly recommend this coaching service to others. The positive changes we’ve seen in Thomas have been profound, and he is now both happier and more hopeful about his future. The coach’s professionalism, compassion, and insight into how we can better support and communicate with our son have been invaluable.

    Parents of am AuDHD University Student , USA

  • Before working with Roberta, I was juggling major life and career decisions without a system that really worked for my ADHD. I needed support, but wasn’t sure what that would look like. Coaching with Roberta helped me gain clarity—especially around career direction and how to navigate transitions. I came to understand what felt unfinished in my current role and how to move forward with more intention. Seeing everything through the lens of ADHD gave me language and tools that finally made sense. Roberta is an exceptional listener with a gift for picking up on what’s not being said. She helped me surface insights I wouldn’t have found on my own, and every session left me feeling more grounded and empowered. I’m leaving with a stronger foundation, better systems, and a clearer sense of who I’m becoming. I’d highly recommend Roberta to anyone looking for thoughtful, ADHD-informed coaching that’s both insightful and supportive.

    John Cozzi, UK