How to Choose an ADHD Therapist: A Checklist
Not all therapists understand ADHD well. This checklist helps you evaluate whether a therapist is a good fit before committing.
Finding a therapist who genuinely understands ADHD — rather than one who treats it as a secondary consideration — can make a substantial difference to how useful therapy is.
Questions to ask in an initial consultation
- What percentage of your clients have ADHD?
- What specific training have you had in ADHD?
- Do you treat ADHD as a neurological difference or as a behavior problem?
- Are you familiar with rejection sensitive dysphoria?
- Do you adapt your approach for ADHD clients (e.g., shorter sessions, written summaries, structure)?
Green flags
- Familiarity with current ADHD research, including adult and female presentations
- Explicitly states they adjust their approach for neurodivergent clients
- Doesn't immediately recommend generic CBT as the solution
- Talks about ADHD in terms of neurology, not character
Red flags
- Suggests you just need to be more organized or try harder
- Dismisses medication as part of treatment
- Has no specific ADHD experience but 'has worked with similar cases'