Therapy for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Therapy for California-Based Children, Teens and Adults with ADHD
Understanding ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults. It is marked by ongoing patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can disrupt daily life at home, school, or work. While the exact causes of ADHD are not fully understood, research points to a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. People with ADHD often face challenges with focus, organization, and impulse control, which may impact their academic performance, relationships, and self-esteem.
At The Child Psychology Center, we provide assessments for ADHD in addition to specialized therapy services for children, teens, and adults with ADHD, tailored to their unique needs and life stages. Our services include Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and executive function coaching. We recommend an evidence based treatment approach based on the individual’s age, symptoms, and goals. Additionally, we collaborate with psychiatrists or primary care providers (PCPs) to ensure comprehensive care, including support with medication management when necessary.
With the right support, individuals with ADHD can develop effective strategies to manage symptoms and thrive in their personal and professional lives.
Who We Help
Our ADHD therapy services are designed for individuals as young as 3-years-old through adulthood. We recognize that ADHD looks different across life stages and can be influenced by co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or Autism (ASD). We also provide family support, helping loved ones understand and navigate the unique needs of someone with ADHD. Our team of California therapists are skilled in recognizing gender-based differences in ADHD presentation, tailoring interventions to each client’s experience.
While the following list is not exhaustive, it offers a glimpse into the types of clients we support and the needs they bring to California’s Child Psychology Center:
Children who have difficulty sitting still in the classroom, frequently getting distracted and struggling to complete assignments. For example, a 7-year-old child who has big emotions during homework time and challenges with impulsive behaviors affecting their social interactions.
Teens who feel overwhelmed by academic responsibilities, struggle with organizing tasks, or have difficulty maintaining friendships. For instance, a 15-year-old teenager who frequently loses track of assignments and experiences frustration navigating peer relationships, missing social cues without even realizing it.
Young Adults (18-25) and/or college students who face challenges like procrastination, difficulty maintaining focus, or balancing academic and social demands. An example might be a 20-year-old managing part-time work alongside studies, who needs support to improve time management and reduce stress.
Adults (26+) struggling with workplace organization, emotional regulation, or maintaining personal goals. For instance, a 35-year-old professional dealing with missed deadlines and feelings of burnout, seeking strategies for improved productivity and focus.
Families looking to better understand and support their loved ones with ADHD, working together to create routines that reduce stress and enhance connection.
Individuals with co-occurring conditions, like Autism (ASD), Anxiety, or those who may experience unique challenges in managing OCD.
While we are ‘The Child Psychology Center’ and specialize in treating children, we also offer virtual therapy services to adults throughout California and in-person therapy in Carlsbad, California.
Our approach is built to meet each person’s needs wherever they are on their ADHD journey, providing steady, personalized support to address symptoms and achieve meaningful change.
Our Therapeutic Approach
We use evidence-based therapies to empower clients and their families to make meaningful change in a reasonable amount of time. We utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help manage symptoms, restructure unhelpful thought patterns, and engage in more helpful behaviors. Modified CBT can also be used to help children cope with their ADHD symptoms and related challenges. Additionally, we offer executive function coaching, which assesses individual or family strengths and areas for improvement. This coaching provides practical strategies to address challenges such as task prioritization, breaking down complex projects, and improving daily functioning. Our behavioral therapies include Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Parent Management Training (PMT), and PC-Care, which equip caregivers with skills to support their children.
Common Goals in ADHD Therapy
ADHD therapy helps individuals and families address the challenges associated with ADHD, fostering personal growth and improved daily functioning. While goals vary depending on each client’s age and unique needs, the following objectives are commonly pursued:
For Children: Developing frustration tolerance, managing big emotions, and improving focus to succeed in school and social settings.
For Teens: Strengthening study skills, improving friendships/relationships, and building independence in tasks like managing schedules or responsibilities.
For Adults: Enhancing organization, managing workplace responsibilities, and improving emotional regulation and self-esteem.
For Families: Learning effective communication techniques, creating structured routines, and developing strategies to support loved ones with ADHD.
Through personalized support, these goals help clients and families navigate ADHD’s challenges while building on their strengths to create a more balanced and fulfilling life.
What a Typical Session Looks Like
Sessions typically last 45 minutes and are offered in our Carlsbad, California office or virtually throughout California, tailored to each client’s specific needs. ADHD therapy sessions are highly individualized to address the unique challenges of each client. Sessions often start with a brief check-in to discuss recent challenges or successes, helping the therapist prioritize immediate concerns. Depending on the therapy focus, sessions include skill-building activities, behavioral strategies, or cognitive exercises to enhance emotional regulation, focus, and organization. For children, play-based interventions or caregiver involvement will help address behavioral goals. Teens and adults typically engage in collaborative discussions to explore thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and practice applying skills in real-world scenarios. Each session concludes with a review of progress and the creation of achievable goals for the upcoming week, promoting ongoing growth and alignment with long-term objectives.
What to Expect with Executive Functioning Coaching:
When doing executive functioning coaching, our therapists use hands-on strategies to help clients implement the recommended strategies. For example, we may support a teen with making a checklist of all their upcoming assignments, along with due dates and anticipated amount of time needed to complete each assignment. Working in real-time on organization, planning, prioritization, etc. helps an adolescent see how they can implement executive functioning strategies and be more independent without their therapist present.
Our Unique Approach
California’s Child Psychology Center’s therapists are committed to evidence-based, individualized care. Our approach to ADHD therapy goes beyond addressing symptoms. We focus on understanding each client’s strengths, values, and goals to create personalized treatment plans. We aim to build a strong therapeutic relationship, fostering trust and collaboration with both clients and their families. Recognizing the diverse ways ADHD can present across different life stages, we tailor our interventions to the specific challenges and opportunities faced by children, teens, and adults. By integrating evidence-based practices with a compassionate, client-centered approach, we empower individuals to develop the tools and confidence needed to navigate life’s demands and achieve their full potential. Through this holistic and adaptive approach, we help clients not only manage their ADHD but thrive in every aspect of their lives.
Collaboration with Clients and Families
We believe that collaboration is key to the success of ADHD therapy. Our approach involves working closely with clients and their families to create a supportive, inclusive environment where everyone’s input is valued. We understand that ADHD can affect not only the individual but also family dynamics, and we aim to empower both clients and their loved ones to be active participants in the therapeutic process. By building a partnership with clients, we can ensure that treatment goals are realistic, sustainable, and aligned with each individual’s needs.
In our collaborative process, we provide:
Initial Consultation and Assessment: We begin by gathering comprehensive information from both the client and their family to understand the challenges they face and to create a clear treatment plan.
Setting Clear Goals: We work together to establish specific, measurable, and achievable goals that address the client’s unique needs, whether it’s academic, emotional, or social.
Ongoing Communication: We maintain open lines of communication with clients and families to track progress, share insights, and adjust strategies as needed.
Family Involvement: For younger clients, we actively involve parents and caregivers in the therapy process, offering tools and techniques to support their child’s development at home. We have teens share the strategies they’re working on with their parents directly in session as a way to support progress in between sessions.
Coordination of Care: Coordinating with clients’ psychiatrists, Primary Care Doctors, and/or school staff is an important aspect to the work we do to support clients across settings.
Regular Check-ins: Periodic follow-up sessions allow us to assess progress, celebrate successes, and address any concerns or challenges that may arise.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of our ADHD therapy services, and we strive to create a therapeutic environment where clients and their families feel supported, informed, and empowered. By working as a team, we ensure that everyone is aligned toward achieving meaningful, lasting change.
Common Challenges Addressed in ADHD Therapy
ADHD can present a range of challenges that affect various aspects of a person’s life. In therapy, we focus on addressing both the immediate difficulties and long-term strategies to manage symptoms. By recognizing the unique ways ADHD impacts each individual, we tailor our approach to meet the specific needs of children, teens, adults, and families. Through targeted interventions and ongoing support, we aim to improve functioning, emotional regulation, and overall quality of life.
Inattention and Distractibility: Difficulty staying focused on tasks, leading to unfinished work, missed deadlines, and problems with school or work performance.
Impulsivity: Acting without thinking, which may result in risky behaviors, poor decision-making, or interpersonal conflicts.
Emotional Dysregulation: Struggles with managing emotions, often leading to frustration, irritability, or outbursts, especially under stress.
Time Management Issues: Difficulty planning, prioritizing, and completing tasks in a timely manner, leading to feelings of overwhelm and chronic stress.
Organization and Task Completion: Challenges with organizing materials, setting goals, and following through on tasks, whether at school, work, or home.
Social Difficulties: Struggles with reading social cues, maintaining friendships, or participating in group activities, often due to impulsivity or distractibility.
Co-occurring Conditions: Many individuals with ADHD also experience co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or learning disabilities, that require additional support and intervention.
Self-Esteem and Confidence: Dealing with negative feedback or feelings of inadequacy due to ADHD symptoms, which can impact self-image and motivation.
Family Dynamics: Helping families understand ADHD and how to work together to create effective strategies that support the person with ADHD while improving overall family harmony.
Our therapy services are designed to address these challenges with personalized strategies and tools, empowering individuals with ADHD to better navigate their daily lives and achieve their goals.
What Clients Can Expect
Clients can expect a supportive, collaborative, and individualized approach to ADHD therapy. From the first session, our neuroaffirming therapists focus on understanding each client's unique experience with ADHD and identifying their specific challenges and goals. Sessions will involve building a strong therapeutic relationship, where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. For children and teens, we involve caregivers in the process to ensure that strategies are integrated into home and school environments. For adults, we work to create practical, everyday solutions to help manage ADHD symptoms in personal and professional contexts. Our therapy is not a one-size-fits-all model; instead, we provide personalized tools and coping strategies to help clients manage their symptoms and improve their overall functioning. Throughout the process, clients can expect clear communication, ongoing assessment of progress, and a flexible approach that adapts to their evolving needs. We aim to equip each person with lasting skills for managing ADHD, improving both their quality of life and their self-confidence.
While each client’s experience is unique, therapy often leads to significant improvements across various areas of life. Clients of all ages have reported gaining tools to manage hyperactive or fidgety behaviors, alongside enhanced organizational and planning strategies that help improve daily functioning. Parents often note reduced conflict within the home, with children and teens demonstrating greater ability to sit at the table for meals and making homework time feel more manageable and effective. Therapy also fosters improved family relationships and helps individuals understand their strengths and weaknesses in executive functioning. As clients develop strategies to motivate themselves, they find it easier to complete daily tasks and chores, leading to greater confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
Long-Term Benefits of ADHD Therapy
ADHD therapy offers lasting improvements that can enhance multiple aspects of life. Through consistent therapy, individuals develop skills that help them manage ADHD symptoms effectively, leading to greater success and fulfillment. Clients often report that ADHD therapy provides them with tools and strategies to better manage their symptoms throughout their lives. While their needs may evolve over time, they gain the resources necessary to adjust to life’s shifting demands. As a result, many clients report finding that they are happier, with ADHD no longer dominating their daily lives as much as before. In fact, clients may occasionally seek booster sessions when facing significant life changes, but they typically feel equipped to get back on track with ease. Ultimately, ADHD therapy provides a foundation for lifelong management, empowering clients to thrive in various aspects of life.
Adapting Therapy to Your Needs
We understand that each individual with ADHD has unique strengths, challenges, and life circumstances. Our approach to therapy is flexible, tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. Whether you're a child, teen, or adult, we adjust our therapeutic methods to align with your goals, preferences, and pace. For younger clients, we may incorporate play or creative activities to keep them engaged, while older clients might focus on more structured strategies to improve executive functioning, time management, and self-regulation. We also recognize the importance of considering co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety or depression, and collaborate with other healthcare providers as needed to ensure comprehensive care. Our goal is to provide a supportive, individualized experience that empowers you to thrive.
Special Considerations or Exclusions:
In some cases, we may suggest that a client consult with a psychiatrist if their ADHD symptoms are more severe and they are finding it challenging to implement strategies effectively. Additionally, if a client has co-occurring conditions such as OCD or anxiety, we may shift the focus of treatment to address these concerns first, ensuring that we provide the most effective support. Our goal is to ensure that each client receives the care they need, and we are committed to adapting our approach based on their unique circumstances and needs.
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Other Services:
Child Psychology Center offers neuro-affirming, culturally competent, evidence-based therapy for children (ages 0+), teens and caregivers. We offer virtual therapy for people throughout all of California, and we offer in-person therapy in Carlsbad, CA. Our services are available in both English and Mandarin. Our licensed psychologists offer psychological assessments. While our therapists specialize in treating children, we also treat adults. We specialize in treating anxiety, child behavioral problems, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), ADHD, autism (ASD), and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We offer parent coaching and consultation. We would love to support you along your journey. Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation today!