ADHD Counseling: managing time and emotions

A recent article in the New York Times describes different approaches used by families to support partners or children with ADHD, “a neurodevelopmental condition that can make it difficult to manage both time and emotions”. ADHD counseling and, specifically, coaching is one emerging approach to help guide “adults who want extra help with planning, time management, goal setting, organization and problem solving”.

“During individual coaching, the client sets goals and establishes their ideal pace for making changes, whereas group coaching may follow a curriculum and has a set pace, Ms. Tuttle said.”

“Both types of coaching aim to help people with A.D.H.D. identify and utilize their strengths.”
“People with A.D.H.D. may also need help with emotions like anxiety, anger and shame. Studies have linked A.D.H.D. symptoms to specific regions in the prefrontal cortex, especially in parts of the brain that regulate behavior and attention, and also help us plan, make decisions and manage our impulses.”
The latest research on ADHD coaching “focused on college students and, to a lesser extent, group coaching for adults, so there is still much more to learn about how individual adults fare.”
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https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/22/well/mind/adhd-coaching.html

Counseling adults with ADHD is different from traditional psychoanalytic therapy in that the therapist becomes more active and directive in helping the clients reorganize their lives – using more coaching techniques. These may include offering concrete suggestions and practical tips on how to get organized, stay focused, make plans, keep to schedules, prioritize tasks, and deal with the chaos of everyday life. The therapist works with the client to help create the necessary structure and accountability.

Elaine Korngold, LPC, at Ask Counseling LLC, in Portland, Oregon, is an ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider, specializing in treating adults with ADHD. Elaine integrates various forms of psychotherapy, such as Brainspotting therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy to resolve past trauma, with cognitive-behavioral ADHD counseling and coaching approaches to solve day-to-day dilemmas. Contact Elaine to learn more.