ADHD Therapy in Denver
Effective Behavioral Therapy for ADHD Treatment
Struggling with ADHD? Our expert team in Denver offers personalized behavioral therapy to help manage symptoms and improve focus, organization, and emotional well-being.
Understanding ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity that interfere with day to day life. It affects millions of people of all ages.
It often goes undiagnosed because it manifests in different ways—some less obvious than others.
Evidence shows that behavioral therapy is highly effective. Behavioral therapy for ADHD helps to enhance executive functioning through the development of strategies to improve daily functioning in personal, academic/work, and social situations. It also provides long-term solutions to symptoms and conditions associated with ADHD such as anxiety, low self-esteem and depression.
Stimulant or nonstimulant medications may also be prescribed to treat ADHD.
How to Recognize ADHD Symptoms
One of the most common difficulties people with ADHD face is the fact that small tasks can be overwhelming. This is because their attention span is shorter and it is therefore it is harder to stay focused on one thing at a time and very challenging to focus on multiple things.
This can be on a personal level - for example, keeping one’s home tidy or and organized. It can affect relationships through difficulties with active listening and sticking to schedules (for dates, remembering plans, co-parenting, household tasks, etc.). Difficulties also extend to academic or professional realms.
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Mood swings and trouble regulating emotions
Intolerance to stress
A hard time focusing on/following through on tasks (see also task paralysis)
Restlessness and/or excessive physical activity
Forgetfulness or constantly misplacing/losing things
Excessive talking and interrupting conversations
Uncomfortable in quiet and calm environments
Trouble staying organized/planning ahead
Quick to lose temper
These are just some examples of ADHD symptoms and different people will exhibit more or less of either of them.
ADHD in Children
A common assumption exists that children with ADHD are simply hyperactive, but the situation is more complex than that. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention in class and seem “spacey.” They might find it hard to finish tasks and follow directions. They can also act impulsively, like interrupting others or engaging in physical activity at inappropriate times.
ADHD can look different in different children and some gender differences have been observed through research. Some children may get in trouble for interrupting the teacher and getting out of their seats at inappropriate times. Other kids may not be disruptive but may have difficulty attending to information and may have to work harder than other to get their schoolwork and homework done.
Given children’s natural tendency to lose focus quickly, having ADHD makes the school setting challenging to their learning experience. Some children will exhibit anti-authoritarian behavior, usually as a result of frustration and an inability to regulate their emotions.
ADHD in Adults
ADHD symptoms can manifest differently in children and adults. ADHD is commonly assessed and diagnosed in childhood, but the associated symptoms and problems may also be apparent in adulthood.
In adults, inattention and impulsivity may contribute to professional disruption as well as challenges in maintaining relationships. Adults with ADHD may struggle with staying on task, organization, time management, procrastination, and managing their emotions.
How to Treat ADHD
with Cognitive Behavior Therapy
If you’re looking for an ADHD specialist in Denver, our team of experts are readily available to help.
For both children and adults, the challenges of ADHD often lead to negative thoughts which, in turn, leads to a lack of self-esteem. CBT techniques have shown to have positive long-term affects, making them a great approach to ADHD treatment.
One of the ways to treat ADHD is through cognitive restructuring. At CBT Denver, we start by offering suggestions for comprehensive ADHD assessment. We then work with clients to create an effective treatment plan.
ADHD Diagnosis and Assessment
Diagnosis of attentional issues typically involves a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional, who may use various tools, such as questionnaires, rating scales, and observations, to assess symptoms and rule out other conditions.
The Role of Cognitive Restructuring
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques like cognitive restructuring help people to live with ADHD by targeting negative thought patterns and changing their narrative.
For example, a common first reaction when faced with difficult tasks, may be to meet them with dread and self-doubt:
“I can’t do this; I don’t know where to start and I’ll never get it done.”
Our experienced CBT therapists will help to turn this way of thinking around. The key is changing the mental narrative to something positive by accepting the challenge at hand, but tackling it anyway:
“These types of tasks aren’t always easy for me, but I have the tools to tackle them efficiently and effectively.”
Cognitive restructuring and other CBT techniques are some of the most effective forms of long term treatment for ADHD.
They allow individuals to build an extensive tool kit to return to when struggling with certain situations, tasks and environments. Applying them builds their confidence and lets them operate from a place of acceptance and determination. I.e.: “Yes, I struggle with X, but it’s nothing I can’t overcome using the right approach.”
Your ADHD Therapists in Denver
Our team offers ADHD treatment in Denver, where we focus on evidenced-based cognitive and behavioral therapies. These are designed to help individuals with ADHD develop coping strategies. These can improve challenging executive functioning skills such as
● Organization
● Planning
● Time management
● Active listening
We also specialize in treating attentional issues present with mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, and other diagnoses. Next to one-on-one therapy settings, we also offer group therapy including Mindfulness for Stress Management and DBT for Highschool and Middle School Students, both of which are complementary options for people already working with CBT.
For more information on our therapy services, please get in touch. We will gladly advise you on the best approaches and options open to you.
Contact us
Learn More About our ADHD Treatments at CBT Denver
Don’t hesitate to reach out. We can help you decide what might be best for you through an initial phone consultation and answer any questions you have.
