ADHD Therapy 

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects people of all ages, from children and teens to adults. It is characterized by difficulty focusing, controlling impulsive behaviors, and exhibiting hyperactivity.

Types of ADHD

There are three primary types of ADHD: Predominantly Inattentive, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive, and Combined Type.

 Combined Type:

Individuals with this type of ADHD display symptoms from both the Predominantly Inattentive and Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive types.

What Causes ADHD, and How It Looks by Age

ADHD tends to run in families, and differences in brain development play a major role. Many people find it helpful to know this, because it points to how the brain works and has nothing to do with effort or character. What changes with age is how ADHD shows up and what it costs.

ADHD in teens and young adults

Schoolwork often exposes ADHD first. Common signs include missed assignments, trouble starting homework, losing belongings, and last-minute work. Emotions can run strong and fast. Teens and college students may also struggle with sleep, with managing a growing amount of independence, and with friendships when they interrupt or lose track of a conversation.

ADHD in adults

Adults rarely show the classic picture. Hyperactivity often turns into inner restlessness. Common signs include chronic lateness, missed deadlines, forgotten bills or appointments, trouble prioritizing, starting projects without finishing them, and feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks. Many adults spent years working twice as hard to look organized, which can lead to burnout, anxiety, or low self-esteem. Strain in relationships and at work is common, and many adults first recognize ADHD when a child is diagnosed.

Where do I start?

To obtain a diagnosis and evaluation for ADHD, we recommend starting by consulting with a healthcare professional. The process typically involves a comprehensive assessment that includes clinical interviews, rating scales, behavioral observations, and a review of medical and developmental history. Bringing in any recent medical records, school reports, and information about the individual’s symptoms could be beneficial. From there, your doctor will be able to determine the appropriate next steps.

At Dayrise Wellness, we believe in the power of behavioral therapy and ADHD management techniques tailored to individual needs. Our approach emphasizes collaboration with clients to develop personalized strategies, helping them navigate the challenges of ADHD and related conditions effectively.

ADHD Treatments

ADHD isn’t something therapy fixes, because there isn’t anything broken to fix. It’s a different way the brain is wired, and treatment is about learning to work with that wiring instead of fighting it. At Dayrise Wellness, that usually means some combination of therapy, medication, and coaching, built around the individual, not a fixed program length.

Therapy:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT for ADHD works on two levels: the cognitive side (how you talk to yourself about your struggles, your capabilities, your worth) and the behavioral side (building new patterns that reinforce that thinking). Both matter. Thinking differently alone rarely changes how you feel; the behavior change is what makes it stick.

ADHD Coaching: Coaching focuses on building the structures and systems therapy skills need to actually run on: routines, task breakdowns, accountability. It takes what’s learned in session and applies it directly to real goals, then repeats that process for the next goal.

Learn about more of our therapy services offered here

Medication:

Research continues to support medication as one of the most effective ADHD treatments for those it works for, but it isn’t required, and it doesn’t teach skills on its own. That’s why medication, when used, is typically paired with therapy or coaching rather than treated as a stand-alone plan. If a first medication or dosage doesn’t fit, that’s worth revisiting with a prescriber, not a reason to rule out medication altogether.

Lifestyle Strategies:

For clients who don’t want medication, or want to pair it with other changes, three areas make a measurable difference: consistent sleep, nutrition (lean proteins, fresh produce, complex carbohydrates, less processed food and added sugar), and regular movement. These aren’t minor add-ons, for some clients, getting these three right is the difference they were looking for.

Check out some of our free resources here

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Scott, LCPC, NCC, Clinical Therapist. Last reviewed September 28, 2026.

The DayRise Path and Team’s Journey

The Team’s Journey

ADHD rarely lives in just one room. Depending on what a client needs, the Team’s Journey can mean coordinating school supports or an IEP, a referral to a prescriber if medication is worth exploring, or a referral for neuropsych testing when the diagnosis itself is still in question.

The goal is a genuinely cohesive plan across every part of a client’s life, home, school, and medical care working together, rather than therapy operating on its own.