ADHD Therapists in San Francisco

In the first session, you’ll talk about what brought you to therapy and what you hope to achieve. Your therapist will likely ask questions about your experiences and listen carefully to tailor an approach that feels right for you. It’s a chance to get comfortable and see if it feels like a good fit.

When seeking therapy for ADHD, it’s important to find a therapist who understands the intricacies of ADHD and its impact on daily life. A therapist specializing in ADHD is ideal, as they have the expertise to develop personalized treatment plans that address both the symptoms and the emotional issues that often accompany ADHD. They should be skilled in various therapeutic approaches. Integrative approaches can pull techniques from various modalities including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is one of the modalities that have been shown to be effective for ADHD management.

At SF Therapy Group, our therapists are not only knowledgeable about ADHD but are also experienced in working with high-achieving adults. They are equipped to offer strategies and support that cater to the unique challenges faced by professionals in tech, entrepreneurship, and creative fields. With a focus on collaboration and client empowerment, our therapists aim to help you gain control over your ADHD symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Research suggests that both stimulant medications and behavioral interventions like therapy can be effective for ADHD. Stimulants can be highly effective in reducing ADHD symptoms, particularly in the short term, by enhancing focus and reducing impulsivity. However, the long-term benefits of medication are unclear, and some studies suggest that the effects of medication may lessen over time. Additionally, some individuals may experience unwanted side effects from stimulants or other medications used to treat ADHD.

Psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) among other approaches, can play an important role in teaching skills and strategies to cope, manage, and mitigate the challenges of daily life with ADHD.

At SF Therapy Group, we support this comprehensive approach to ADHD treatment. Our therapy sessions are designed to help manage ADHD symptoms, on their own or complimenting medication treatment by offering personalized strategies and support. We focus on helping people develop what works for them to navigate their professional and personal lives successfully.

For many people, it can also be critical to address the emotional impact of ADHD – many people who are diagnosed with ADHD later in life have developed a negative view of themself, assuming they were “lazy” or “bad” because of undiagnosed ADHD symptoms that were interpreted as moral failings or character traits. While medication and skills help with immediate improvements in performance, many find it helpful to use therapy to “unlearn” these negative and untrue stories about themselves.

Choosing an ADHD specialist is a critical step in managing your ADHD effectively. Look for a therapist who has a deep understanding of ADHD and its effects on daily life. It’s important that they have experience working with adults and are familiar with the challenges faced by professionals in high-pressure environments. A good ADHD specialist should offer evidence-based treatments and be able to tailor their approach to meet your specific needs.

At SF Therapy Group, our therapists specialize in ADHD and have extensive experience working with high-achieving adults. We pride ourselves on our evidence-based, personalized approach to therapy, which is designed to address not just the symptoms of ADHD but also the emotional issues and daily life challenges that come with it. By choosing a specialist from our team, you’re taking a step toward empowering yourself to manage your ADHD with confidence and strategic support.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is indeed effective for managing ADHD, particularly in adults. However, it is just one of many effective strategies for ADHD. Research shows that no one modality of therapy is strictly better for ADHD. What is important is finding an approach that works for you.

CBT can be effective because it focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. CBT also tends to focus on teaching specific coping strategies and organizational skills, which can be of great benefit to some people. Other people may benefit from less structured therapy approaches, which may focus on teaching skills or addressing underlying issues such as guilt or shame that often can occur when one lives with ADHD.

At SF Therapy Group, we incorporate aspects of CBT into our ADHD treatment plans, recognizing its value in helping our clients achieve better control over their symptoms. Our therapists are skilled in applying CBT techniques in a way that is personalized and directly applicable to the unique struggles faced by our clients. This tailored approach ensures that every client can find strategies that work for them, ultimately leading to improvements in managing ADHD in both their professional and personal lives.

The success rate of ADHD treatment varies, as it depends on each individual and their unique circumstances. The research says that individuals often experience benefits from both medication and behavioral therapy, and some individuals see greater benefits from combining both. However, it’s important to recognize that research studies are conducted on groups of people, and individual results may vary.

At SF Therapy Group, we are committed to providing our clients with the most effective ADHD treatment options. Our personalized, evidence-based approach is designed to meet the specific needs of each client, ensuring that they receive the support and strategies needed to manage ADHD successfully.

The top three treatments for ADHD include medication, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. Medications, particularly stimulants, are effective in managing the core symptoms of ADHD by enhancing concentration and reducing impulsivity. However, medications may be most effective in the short-term. Therapy, including CBT and other behavioral approaches, provides individuals with the strategies and skills necessary to deal with the daily challenges and emotional issues associated with ADHD. There appear to be many ways to address ADHD behaviorally, and research has not crowned one approach as head-and-shoulders above any other. Lastly, lifestyle adjustments can help with ADHD and other mental health symptoms more broadly. Regular exercise, healthy eating, sufficient sleep, and managing stress can support overall well-being, including reduced ADHD symptoms.

At SF Therapy Group, our treatment plans integrate these top treatments to offer a comprehensive approach to managing ADHD. We work closely with our clients to develop a personalized treatment plan that includes the most effective ADHD treatments tailored to their specific needs. Our goal is to not only address the symptoms of ADHD but also to improve overall emotional health and daily functioning, empowering our clients to lead fulfilling lives.

Both descriptions can be useful. Understanding ADHD involves recognizing it as a neurological disorder that affects your brain’s self-management systems. This condition impacts daily functioning, making tasks that require attention, organization, and impulse control more challenging. It’s crucial to know that while ADHD influences how the brain operates, it doesn’t stem from trauma or upbringing but rather from genetic and neurodevelopmental factors.

However, it’s also categorized under mental health conditions due to its impact on emotional regulation and behavior. This dual categorization helps in creating comprehensive treatment plans that address both the neurological and psychological aspects of ADHD, ensuring that you receive the support needed to navigate its challenges effectively.

Additionally, when one lives with ADHD, it can often be a burden. People with ADHD may wonder why they can’t concentrate or why things that seem easy for others are more difficult for them. These feelings can be distressing and can lead to discouragement, worry, and painful self-criticism..

Similarly to the last question, ADHD is recognized both as a mental health condition and a disability. This recognition is important because ADHD can significantly interfere with daily functioning in various areas of your life.

The classification as a mental health condition addresses the psychological aspects, such as challenges with focus, emotional regulation, and impulsivity.
The classification as a disability acknowledges the substantial obstacles ADHD can create in educational, professional, and social settings, and is part of a legal framework for qualifying for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This dual classification ensures that individuals with ADHD can access the support and resources necessary to thrive in spite of the challenges they face.

The short answer is that we don’t really know. We do know that while ADHD is typically identified in childhood,it’s not uncommon for it to be diagnosed in adults. Whether this means these adults were simply not identified earlier or whether their symptoms are the result of a newly developed condition is less clear.

There are many reasons why some people reach adulthood before they recognize symptoms of ADHD or receive a diagnosis. The delay may happen because these individuals have developed coping mechanisms that mask their difficulties, have other strengths that compensate for problems, are not in environments where their symptoms are recognized, or there is a change in their life that makes their ADHD symptoms more apparent or disruptive.

It may be more accurate to say that adults with newly diagnosed ADHD had ADHD for some time, but it was previously undetected. ADHD symptoms may also be the result of other conditions. Attention is more sensitive to disruptions compared to other cognitive domains such as memory. If you’re experiencing challenges that align with ADHD symptoms as an adult, it’s worthwhile to seek help and guidance from a professional who can provide insight and help you better understand what might be going on in your life.

Yes, therapy can be a highly effective treatment for ADHD, especially when it focuses on strategies that improve daily functioning. Many different therapy approaches, or combinations of those approaches can be helpful, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is one of the most popular and widely studied interventions for ADHD, which is why it is frequently recommended, but it’s not the only approach and good providers, like us, will generally adapt the approach to each individual. CBT tends to be effective because it can help you develop skills to manage time better, reduce procrastination, and handle impulsivity.

A neurodivergent affirming approach ensures that therapy is tailored to embrace and work with your unique brain wiring, rather than against it. There is no best, one-size-fits-all approach to ADHD, or any other mental health problem. Problems are just as complex and varied as the people who live with them.

Medication management, often with stimulants, can be effective for some people. However, many people choose to not take medications for various reasons. Therapy alone can provide many benefits, particularly when it focuses on practical skills, strategies for managing symptoms, and understanding how ADHD affects their life. Combining different therapeutic approaches can provide comprehensive support tailored to your needs.