Adult ADHD Centre

The Adult ADHD Centre is dedicated to the assessment and management of adults with ADHD. Over 10,000 adult patients have been assessed and treated at the ADHD Centre making it one of the preeminent Adult ADHD Centres in Canada.
Dr. Anita Parhar, initially as an elementary school teacher and later as a university instructor who trained teachers, recognized that there was a great need for the diagnosis and treatment of adults with ADHD. Children, who were not diagnosed or not treated for their ADHD, had become adults with ADHD. Dr. Parhar has extensive experience in understanding the educational and work struggles of patients with ADHD.
Dr. Gurdeep Parhar, whose practice for the past three decades focused on patients with physical, psychological and cognitive disabilities realized that there were few resources and supports for his adult patients with ADHD. Dr. Parhar has certification in occupational medicine and disability medicine is very experienced in assessing and managing adult patients with ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are struggling with the impact ADHD is having on their university/college education, relationships, functioning at home, family life, work performance, and social lives.
The Adult ADHD Centre is pleased to be able to provide ADHD Coaching and ADHD Counseling.
In addition to providing assessments and treatments for adults with ADHD, the Adult ADHD Centre is highly engaged across Canada in the education of health professionals and the general public about ADHD.
The Adult ADHD Centre is also participating in leading research to better understand the best treatments for ADHD.
Dr. Anita Parhar is the Educational Director of the Adult ADHD Centre.
She is a graduate of the Department of Educational Studies, Faculty of Education, UBC, where she was an instructor for over 15 years, teaching in the programs of Teacher Education and Masters of Educational Administration. Her interests included exploring how Canadian educational practices of families, communities, and schools influence, and are influenced by, social issues — diversity, multiculturalism, and racism — and historical, socio-economic, and political factors.
Anita was also an honorary lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine where her teaching and research interests involved examining critical issues in health care for marginalized populations, from a social justice and health equity perspective. She also served on the Social Responsibility and Accountability Working Group for the MD Undergraduate Program.
Additionally, Anita was the co-host of “Pearls for Success,” a weekly television program which targeted the well-being of new Canadians, specifically in the areas of health, education, finance, and law. Episode topics often emerged from discussions with community members or by request.
Anita frequently provides presentations to future health care providers and educators on the issues of social justice and professionalism.
She is a graduate of the Department of Educational Studies, Faculty of Education, UBC, where she was an instructor for over 15 years, teaching in the programs of Teacher Education and Masters of Educational Administration. Her interests included exploring how Canadian educational practices of families, communities, and schools influence, and are influenced by, social issues — diversity, multiculturalism, and racism — and historical, socio-economic, and political factors.
Anita was also an honorary lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine where her teaching and research interests involved examining critical issues in health care for marginalized populations, from a social justice and health equity perspective. She also served on the Social Responsibility and Accountability Working Group for the MD Undergraduate Program.
Additionally, Anita was the co-host of “Pearls for Success,” a weekly television program which targeted the well-being of new Canadians, specifically in the areas of health, education, finance, and law. Episode topics often emerged from discussions with community members or by request.
Anita frequently provides presentations to future health care providers and educators on the issues of social justice and professionalism.
Dr. Parhar is a Clinical Professor in the UBC Faculty of Medicine and has formerly held the positions of Executive Associate Dean and Associate Dean of the UBC Faculty of Medicine. He has also served as Associate Head and Acting Co-Head of the UBC Department of Family Practice.
Dr. Parhar served as the Acting Associate Vice President –Equity and Inclusion for the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Parhar has served as the Vice-President/Vice-Chair of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and previously served as the Chair of the Finance Committee and Treasurer.
Dr. Parhar previously served as the Chair of the Prescription Review Committee for the Province of British Columbia. This is a committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia mandated to review the prescribing patterns of physicians.
Dr. Parhar previously served as the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Ethics Committee for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia mandated to review the emerging ethical issues that would impact patient care.
Dr. Parhar had been elected to serve on the Board of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. He has served on several committees at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. The mandate of the Board and these committees is to ensure that the public is protected and that the best possible healthcare is provided to British Columbians.
In addition, Dr. Parhar also served as the Chairperson of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Medical Review Board.
Dr. Parhar previously served on the Board of the British Columbia Society of General Practitioners (SGP).
He served as the national Co-Chair for the Network on Equity, Diversity and Gender (EDG) for the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC)
Dr. Parhar served as the national Co-Chair of the Professionalism Network for the Faculties of Medicine of Canada.
He was the Occupational Physician for the City of Vancouver where he was responsible for reviewing the health of injured and ill workers in the various departments of the City of Vancouver including the City of Vancouver Fire Department, Parks and Recreation, and Engineering Department.
Dr. Parhar has served as the Occupational Physician for the Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Program at the University of British Columbia.
He is also a Marine Medical Examiner certified by Transport Canada and determined fitness to work for all seafarers who work in the marine industry.
Dr. Parhar coordinated mandatory annual Avoiding Mistreatment and Anti-Harassment Workshops addressing racism, homophobia, and bullying for the UBC Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry.
Dr. Parhar’s clinical practice focuses on immigrants, refugees, workers’ health and patients with severe disabilities. His teaching in undergraduate and postgraduate programs includes: professionalism, equity, cultural safety, psychosocial aspects of healthcare, and medical disability. He is currently the principal investigator on educational innovation grants employing inter-professional models to address issues important to underserved populations, particularly Indigenous peoples, immigrants, refugees and those belonging to lower socio-economic communities.
He teaches extensively in the area of disability at UBC and Simon Fraser University to audiences including medical students, residents, insurance case managers, practicing physicians, and other health professionals.
For MD Curriculum Renewal, Dr. Parhar was the Chair of the Working Group on Social Responsibility and Accountability.
Dr. Parhar was also the Chair of the Working Group to write the Professionalism Standards for Faculty and Learners in Medicine and Dentistry.
Dr. Parhar is Medical Director of CORE Occupational Health Care Centre providing Independent Medical Examinations (IME) in the field of Disability Medicine, Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE), and Cost of Future Care (CFC) assessments. He provides consultation services to assist in the rehabilitation of injured or ill workers. In this capacity, he serves as the Medical Director of numerous corporations in British Columbia.
Recognizing a shortage of family physicians needed to manage the health care needs of patients with severe illness and injuries, Dr. Parhar created a new clinical practice and is currently the Medical Director of Pacific Coast Recovery Care which is focused on patients with the severely disabling medical conditions.
Dr. Parhar was a Medical Advisor at WorkSafeBC for five years and was the first Medical Coordinator for the BC Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal (WCAT) for nine years, before retiring from this position in February 2014.
He teaches extensively in the areas of impairment, disability, occupational medicine, and the management of motor vehicle collision injuries at the Faculty of Medicine at UBC. He also created and teaches a course on Physical Aspects of Medical Disability at Simon Fraser University in a diploma program for case managers and disability managers. At the University of British Columbia, he created and taught a course entitled “Medical Aspects of Disability”, a mandatory course in the Masters of Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Program.
In 2018, he coordinated the UBC President’s Community Roundtable on the Opioid Crisis Planning Committee and moderated MED Talks; Emergency: Drug Use and Addiction in the 21st Century.
From February 5, 2015 to October 2017, Dr. Parhar was appointed to the Board of BC Adaptive Snowsports (formerly Disabled Skiers Association of BC). He also served as the Vice President of the Board, and in this role, he helped to support various programs for children and adults with physical disabilities, psychological disabilities and brain injuries, so that they may lead better lives by gaining confidence through participation in winter sports.
He has also co-hosted a weekly television program entitled “Pearls for Success”, targeting the well-being of new Canadians.
Some of his honours and recognitions include:
In May 2016, Dr. Parhar delivered a Tedx Talk entitled “Fixing Racism” that was live streamed to over 100 countries and within 4 weeks of being posted online has been watched by over 1 million viewers.
You can watch it www.youtube.com/watch?v=POU1HjdXziMht
Dr. Parhar served as the Acting Associate Vice President –Equity and Inclusion for the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Parhar has served as the Vice-President/Vice-Chair of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and previously served as the Chair of the Finance Committee and Treasurer.
Dr. Parhar previously served as the Chair of the Prescription Review Committee for the Province of British Columbia. This is a committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia mandated to review the prescribing patterns of physicians.
Dr. Parhar previously served as the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Ethics Committee for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia mandated to review the emerging ethical issues that would impact patient care.
Dr. Parhar had been elected to serve on the Board of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. He has served on several committees at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. The mandate of the Board and these committees is to ensure that the public is protected and that the best possible healthcare is provided to British Columbians.
In addition, Dr. Parhar also served as the Chairperson of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Medical Review Board.
Dr. Parhar previously served on the Board of the British Columbia Society of General Practitioners (SGP).
He served as the national Co-Chair for the Network on Equity, Diversity and Gender (EDG) for the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC)
Dr. Parhar served as the national Co-Chair of the Professionalism Network for the Faculties of Medicine of Canada.
He was the Occupational Physician for the City of Vancouver where he was responsible for reviewing the health of injured and ill workers in the various departments of the City of Vancouver including the City of Vancouver Fire Department, Parks and Recreation, and Engineering Department.
Dr. Parhar has served as the Occupational Physician for the Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Program at the University of British Columbia.
He is also a Marine Medical Examiner certified by Transport Canada and determined fitness to work for all seafarers who work in the marine industry.
Dr. Parhar coordinated mandatory annual Avoiding Mistreatment and Anti-Harassment Workshops addressing racism, homophobia, and bullying for the UBC Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry.
Dr. Parhar’s clinical practice focuses on immigrants, refugees, workers’ health and patients with severe disabilities. His teaching in undergraduate and postgraduate programs includes: professionalism, equity, cultural safety, psychosocial aspects of healthcare, and medical disability. He is currently the principal investigator on educational innovation grants employing inter-professional models to address issues important to underserved populations, particularly Indigenous peoples, immigrants, refugees and those belonging to lower socio-economic communities.
He teaches extensively in the area of disability at UBC and Simon Fraser University to audiences including medical students, residents, insurance case managers, practicing physicians, and other health professionals.
For MD Curriculum Renewal, Dr. Parhar was the Chair of the Working Group on Social Responsibility and Accountability.
Dr. Parhar was also the Chair of the Working Group to write the Professionalism Standards for Faculty and Learners in Medicine and Dentistry.
Dr. Parhar is Medical Director of CORE Occupational Health Care Centre providing Independent Medical Examinations (IME) in the field of Disability Medicine, Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE), and Cost of Future Care (CFC) assessments. He provides consultation services to assist in the rehabilitation of injured or ill workers. In this capacity, he serves as the Medical Director of numerous corporations in British Columbia.
Recognizing a shortage of family physicians needed to manage the health care needs of patients with severe illness and injuries, Dr. Parhar created a new clinical practice and is currently the Medical Director of Pacific Coast Recovery Care which is focused on patients with the severely disabling medical conditions.
Dr. Parhar was a Medical Advisor at WorkSafeBC for five years and was the first Medical Coordinator for the BC Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal (WCAT) for nine years, before retiring from this position in February 2014.
He teaches extensively in the areas of impairment, disability, occupational medicine, and the management of motor vehicle collision injuries at the Faculty of Medicine at UBC. He also created and teaches a course on Physical Aspects of Medical Disability at Simon Fraser University in a diploma program for case managers and disability managers. At the University of British Columbia, he created and taught a course entitled “Medical Aspects of Disability”, a mandatory course in the Masters of Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Program.
In 2018, he coordinated the UBC President’s Community Roundtable on the Opioid Crisis Planning Committee and moderated MED Talks; Emergency: Drug Use and Addiction in the 21st Century.
From February 5, 2015 to October 2017, Dr. Parhar was appointed to the Board of BC Adaptive Snowsports (formerly Disabled Skiers Association of BC). He also served as the Vice President of the Board, and in this role, he helped to support various programs for children and adults with physical disabilities, psychological disabilities and brain injuries, so that they may lead better lives by gaining confidence through participation in winter sports.
He has also co-hosted a weekly television program entitled “Pearls for Success”, targeting the well-being of new Canadians.
Some of his honours and recognitions include:
- 2020 Canadian Medical Association (National Award) Dr. William Marsden Award for Professionalism and Medical Ethics
- 2016 Dr. Parhar provided the keynote address at the Frank Netter School of Medicine, Quinnipiac University in New Haven, Connecticut
- 2015 Dr. Parhar was awarded the top Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (National Award) May Cohen Equity, Diversity and Gender Award for his work on diversity and inclusion
- 2012 his Alma Mater, the University of Calgary, recognized Dr. Parhar with its Top Alumnus of Distinction Award.
- 2011 Dr. Parhar was awarded a University of British Columbia's Killam Teaching Prize, the UBC's top teaching award/recognition.
- 2010 BC College of Family Physicians’ Teacher of the Year Award.
In May 2016, Dr. Parhar delivered a Tedx Talk entitled “Fixing Racism” that was live streamed to over 100 countries and within 4 weeks of being posted online has been watched by over 1 million viewers.
You can watch it www.youtube.com/watch?v=POU1HjdXziMht