Why People with ADHD Need a Unique Therapy Approach
So you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD or you’re considering the possibility that you might have it. You’re also contemplating psychotherapy. You are in the right place! As a somatic psychotherapist who has worked with many neurodiverse folks (ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other learning disabilities) and is neurodivergent myself (dyslexic); I am well aware of the unique needs of neurofantastic people. For the record, that is how I see neurodivergent people: we have many gifts and wonderful abilities; however the neurotypical world wasn’t built for us. This means we need a unique approach to life AND therapy.
Why People with ADHD Need Specialized Psychotherapy
Living with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) isn’t just about being “distracted” or “hyper”—it’s a complex neurological condition that affects executive function, emotional regulation, time management, self concept and relationships. While medication can play a key role in addressing these challenges, many people with ADHD find that it’s not enough on its own OR medication just doesn’t work for them for a variety of reasons. This is where specialized and attuned psychotherapy becomes essential.
The Problem with General Therapy Approaches
Traditional therapy models—like classic talk therapy or CBT designed for depression and anxiety—often fall short for ADHD. They may overlook how ADHD rewires a person’s thought patterns, motivation systems, and sense of time. Without understanding these nuances, therapists can unintentionally make clients feel misunderstood or even blamed for behaviors rooted in their neurobiology. Maybe you’ve experienced this?
For example, a therapist unfamiliar with ADHD might interpret chronic lateness as avoidance or a lack of motivation rather than a manifestation of time blindness or executive dysfunction. These misinterpretations can lead to unproductive or even harmful therapy experiences.
What Makes ADHD-Focused Therapy Different
ADHD-informed therapy is grounded in an understanding of how the ADHD brain works. It combines psychological insight with practical tools tailored to the condition. Here’s what neurodivergent tailored psychotherapy often includes:
Executive Function Coaching: Helping clients develop systems to manage time, tasks, and responsibilities.
Emotional Regulation Skills: ADHD often includes intense emotional reactions. Specialized therapy provides strategies to recognize, name, and modulate these emotions.
Self-Compassion and Shame Reduction: Many people with ADHD grow up internalizing the message that they are lazy or broken. Therapy focused on ADHD can help undo years of negative self-talk.
Relationship and Communication Strategies: People with ADHD often struggle with impulsivity and listening, which can strain relationships. Therapy can address these patterns directly.
Goal-Setting and Accountability: ADHD therapy can focus on realistic goal planning using motivation-based systems (rather than relying on willpower alone).
ADHD Isn’t Just a Diagnosis—It’s a Lived Experience
An ADHD diagnosis can help people better understand themselves, but can come with stigma and the realization that you might need a new set of tools and support. Working with a therapist trained in ADHD or is neurodivergent themselves ensures that support is relevant, empathetic, and empowering. It means recognizing that forgetfulness, impulsivity, or zoning out are not moral failings but symptoms of a neurological condition that can be managed.
Final Thoughts
Everyone deserves therapy that sees them clearly. For people with ADHD, that means working with someone who understands not just the challenges, but also the strengths that come with an ADHD brain—creativity, resilience, and out-of-the-box thinking. Specialized psychotherapy isn’t just helpful—it’s transformative. You don’t have to live with internalized messages of “lazy,” “not enough,” and “too much.” You can discover what it means to be neurofantastic on your terms.