Therapy for Maladaptive Daydreaming

About Therapy for Maladaptive Daydreaming

What kind of therapy is recommended for maladaptive daydreaming?

Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD) is a newly recognised mental health struggle that has not yet been classified as an official clinical diagnosis. As a Clinical Psychologist and MD researcher, I stay up to date with the latest developments in this emerging field and integrate new approaches as they become available.

In therapy, a formal diagnosis is not necessary to acknowledge and address the distress and coping difficulties that often accompany MD. Many of the emotional and behavioural patterns associated with MD—such as emotional dysregulation, shame, or avoidance—are well-known in clinical practice. Drawing on my background in working with individuals with complex emotional needs (such as trauma, shame, and difficulties with emotional regulation), and my training in behaviour change at the highest level (MSc in Health Psychology), I have successfully supported many people struggling with MD.

Emerging research supports the use of approaches such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and relational or attachment-based therapies, all of which I use in my clinical practice. These can be particularly helpful when tailored to address co-occurring challenges like anxiety, OCD, or depression. I also draw from Emotion-Focused Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), which can be helpful in addressing the emotional regulation difficulties that often underlie and perpetuate maladaptive daydreaming.

Read below some of the FAQ's about therapy for MD.

What other difficulties do I support people with maladaptive daydreaming?

A large proportion of my clients with maladaptive daydreaming seek therapy for other challenges they face, but they wanted to see someone who they did not have to explain what MD was, which allowed for a shared understanding around the shame, ambivalence and urges, and open discussions about the daydreams themselves for some. We make links between other difficulties and MD, make sense of their experience together and we work on these challenges in a way that also often helps reducing MD.

Some of the overlapping mental health difficulties that I have experience supporting people with maladaptive daydreaming are, but not limited to:

• Sleep Issues and Insomnia

• ·Anxiety, including:

  o Social Anxiety

  o Uncontrollable Worry & Generalized Anxiety Disorder

  o Panic Attacks and Agoraphobia

  o Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

•  Low Mood and Depression

•  Emotion Regulation

•  Dissociation and Intense emotions

•  Work-Related Stress and Burnout

•  Relationship and Interpersonal Challenges

•  Attachment, Developmental Trauma and Self-Understanding

•  Shame and Guilt

•  Low Self-Esteem & Perfectionism

  I also provide support to parents of children experiencing these and similar difficulties.

Frequently asked questions

What does therapy for maladaptive daydreaming look like with me?

Therapy is tailored to your unique needs. You may want to better manage MD, explore its role in your life, address relationship challenges, or work through issues such as anxiety, shame, or low mood. After an initial assessment session, we collaboratively decide on our focus—whether it's reducing daydreaming, exploring early experiences, building a more meaningful life, or something else entirely.

Throughout therapy, I regularly check in to ensure our work remains aligned with your goals, and we adjust the approach if needed. Some clients prefer a more structured format, with practical tools, motivation, and accountability, while others value a reflective, open-ended space for exploration. Often, therapy combines both approaches.

Importantly, therapy offers a non-judgmental space to talk openly about aspects of yourself that may have felt hidden or misunderstood—something many people with MD find deeply validating and healing.

What does overcoming maladaptive daydreaming look like?

For many people who have lived with MD for years, especially since childhood, the goal isn’t necessarily to "stop" daydreaming altogether. You might feel conflicted about letting go of something that has provided comfort or meaning—and that’s completely valid. Therapy provides a compassionate space to explore this ambivalence, along with associated challenges such as shame, dissociation, or isolation.

Rather than aiming to eliminate daydreaming, the goal for many clients is to reduce its interference with daily life. Daydreaming becomes something more manageable—something under your control, not something that controls you. In this process, we work on emotional regulation, building real-life engagement, and developing healthier coping strategies. Over time, the gap between fantasy and reality narrows, and life can start to feel more worth showing up for.

It’s also worth noting that many clients come to therapy primarily for other concerns but feel relief in working with someone who already understands MD. This shared understanding makes space for deeper conversations—about ambivalence, shame, and even the content of the daydreams themselves—without needing to explain or justify your experience.

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What if I’m not ready to reduce my daydreaming yet?

That’s completely okay. Many people feel conflicted about the idea of changing their relationship with daydreaming—especially if it has provided comfort, purpose, or even a sense of identity over the years. Therapy is not about forcing change before you're ready. Instead, we’ll create space to explore your relationship with MD in a safe and non-judgmental way.

You might be curious about how MD fits into your life, or want to understand why you daydream the way you do—without making any immediate changes. That can be a powerful and important starting point. Together, we can look at what’s working, what’s not, and what you'd like to feel more in control of, if and when the time comes. Therapy can support you in building self-awareness, emotional safety, and clarity, so that any changes you do decide to make feel self-directed and grounded.Our pricing varies depending on [what factors affect your price]. We offer a variety of options to fit your needs and budget. Please visit our [pricing page/contact us] for more information.

How long does therapy for maladaptive daydreaming take?

The length of therapy really depends on your individual goals and circumstances. After an initial assessment, I will give you an idea of what might be most helpful based on your presentation and what you’d like support with.

If the focus is on co-occurring challenges such as anxiety, OCD, or low mood, therapy can often be short to medium term and guided by evidence-based recommendations—typically around 15 to 20 sessions. However, for some people, especially when we are exploring early experiences, working through complex emotional difficulties, or addressing more entrenched patterns, we may continue for a longer period. In these cases, we regularly review how things are going and check in to see whether continuing feels right or if your goals have shifted.

There’s no pressure to commit to long-term work—therapy is always a collaborative process, and we can adjust things as we go.

How can I contact you/book a session?

You can book a session via contacting me here.

Where can I learn more about you?

You can explore other sections of this website, such as the "About" page or my blog, to learn more. I also have a regular newsletter with tips, resources and reflective prompts. You can sign up here.