Therapy is part of the treatment for most teens with ADHD. If you go to therapy, you will have meetings with a therapist to help with the problems that ADHD can cause.
In therapy, people learn skills like listening and paying attention better.
Some people with ADHD also get another type of therapy called occupational therapy. This helps when things like balance or handwriting are difficult because of ADHD or a learning disability.
Treatment for ADHD usually includes medicine. Medicines help people pay attention, use self-control, and fidget less. Medicine works best when people also have therapy.
Therapy helps teens with ADHD do better in school and at home. For example, people learn how to:
Some people need therapy to help ease difficult emotions caused by ADHD. For example, people might lose confidence or feel like they are disappointing others. Some teens become depressed, anxious, or frustrated.
When people learn skills to manage ADHD, they do better. Therapy also helps people feel happier and more confident.
In ADHD therapy, people learn by doing. A therapist will share activities and ideas that focus on building the skills the person needs. Therapists can teach study skills, emotion skills, or attention skills, such as mindful breathing. They can teach social skills to help people get along better with others. They can teach skills to cope with anxiety. People practice the skills they learn.
In ADHD therapy, a positive relationship with the therapist helps a person feel encouraged and supported as they learn.
At the beginning, your therapist will talk with you, ask questions, and listen to learn more about how ADHD affects you. Together you will make goals for what you want to improve.
In therapy sessions, you and your therapist might:
How long therapy lasts will depend on your goals. Most of the time, a therapist will want to meet with you once a week for a few months. After that, you can go back as needed.
Having ADHD isn't a person's fault. But there are things that you can learn in therapy to help things get better.
Here are some ways to build on the work you will do in therapy:
Reviewed by: Shirin Hasan, MD
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2022