Therapy for ADHD

The ACED team is specialized and experienced in working with neurodivergent folks, and some of us are neurodivergent ourselves. We are here to help you better understand yourself, how your mind works, and how to learn the tools and skills to help you function better in your daily life.

We are so glad that ADHD (Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) & ADD diagnoses, along with Autism Spectrum, are getting more attention, since folks have been struggling with these symptoms for so long without much community or support.

The ACED clinicians see neurodivergence as a gift, that your brain simply works differently than others, and not something to “cure” or heal. Any struggles that you are having likely result from living in a world where neurotypical people run everything, leaving you to function differently on your own. We would love to help you to manage any parts of your neurodivergence that create challenges for you in your day, given that the world was not created for you.

We’re Here to Help

What is ADHD?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is typically seen as a combination of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity - when compared to neurotypical folks.

Inattention involves difficulty maintaining focus, particularly on complex or uninteresting tasks, often leading to disorganization. Hyperactivity presents as excessive movement in children and an internal restlessness in adults. Impulsivity in ADHD shows up as hasty, consequence-free actions that can create social and occupational difficulties. Further, many with ADHD grapple with emotional regulation, and thus experience rapid mood changes and high frustration levels.

Why Do I Have ADHD?

ADHD can run in families, and studies indicate that genes likely play a role. So, most likely, your genetics decided that you would be vulnerable to having ADHD if someone in your family does.

Certain environmental factors also may increase risk of developing ADHD, such as lead exposure as a child. For example, as a child, if you were exposed to environmental toxins (like lead found mainly in paint and pipes in older buildings) you may be at higher risk to have ADHD. Furthermore, there is some research that suggests that issues during your biological mother’s pregnancy (e.g., alcoholism, substance use disorder, or smoking) could also increase the risk of you developing ADHD.

As you can see, the reasons that you are neurodivergent (that we know of) aren’t your fault.

ADHD Therapy Can Help

Typical support for ADHD is a combination of specialized psychotherapy, self-management strategies and tools, and for some folks, medication.

Psychotherapy for ADHD will be heavy on providing strategies, skills, and tools that can help you to manage symptoms like feeling scattered, restless, and/or reactive in your daily routine. Therapy is collaborative process, and we will work together to better understand you, your mind, your goals, and how to help get you there. The therapy sessions will look a bit different for everyone, and this is because the ACED team is specialized in individualized treatment plans. However, using the words “treatment plan” here isn’t quite right, since there is nothing wrong with you - your brain just works differently than neurotypical people.

We’re Here to Help

With the help of a skilled, specialized therapist and/or dietitian (if your ADHD or ADHD medication affects your eating), you can develop the coping tools, insight, and compassionate self-care needed to help with self-management. We can provide the support you need:

• You will receive a personalized “treatment plan” that is highly specific and aligned with your unique needs and goals

• Tools and skills to manage and diminish ADHD symptoms that you find troubling

• Support in developing insight and understanding about yourself, your mind, and your body

• Education about the science behind ADHD and the brain

• Help learning to regulate and soothe any intense emotions

• Coping skills to learn how to better care for yourself

• Inspiration, motivation, and accountability

• So much love and compassion

We utilize a number of therapeutic modalities to aid in your unique recovery process:

• ADHD skills coaching

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Harm Reduction

• Health at Every Size® and Intuitive Eating

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Parts Work

• Relational Cultural Theory

• Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)

We Cherish Your Autonomy

You and you alone (given that you are an adult) are in charge of your life and your body. You make decisions based upon what you believe is best for you. We will have plenty of recommendations (see above) to aid your healing process, and if your symptoms are more severe, we may be more directive in nature. However, you are always free to agree or disagree, to come and go as you please, and do what you believe is the best thing for you.

We believe that you must make your own decisions to get the most out of therapy, and we support you in doing so. We cannot make you do anything, and you simply will not change unless you want to. We unconditionally accept you for who you are, right now.

We’re here to help with ADHD.

We’re here for you. Schedule a complimentary phone consultation to ask all of your questions, and see if we might be a good fit for you.