National trends show that ADHD diagnoses are on the rise, with an estimated 6.1 million teenagers diagnosed with ADHD in the United States. Seeking professional help, such as counseling for ADHD or neurofeedback for ADHD, can be an effective way to manage symptoms and improve quality of life for both children and adults with ADHD.
ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both teens and adults. People with ADHD often struggle with focusing, organizing tasks, and controlling their impulses.
This can lead to difficulties in school, work, and social situations. Many parents may worry that their child's symptoms are a sign of something more serious and may seek professional help.
One form of professional help that is often recommended for people with ADHD is counseling. Counseling can take many forms, but two of the most common are talk therapy and neurofeedback.
In this blog post, we will explore the differences between talk therapy and neurofeedback for ADHD and provide research on their effectiveness.
Talk Therapy for ADHD
Talk therapy, also known as counseling or psychotherapy, is a type of therapy that involves talking with a counselor who specializes in teen therapy and young adult counseling, about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Talk therapy can be helpful for people with ADHD, as it can provide support, guidance, and strategies for managing symptoms.
What can a client expect in talk therapy for ADHD?
During talk therapy sessions, the client will meet with a counselor who specializes in teen counseling and counseling for young adults, to discuss their symptoms and concerns. The therapist will listen and provide support, while also helping the client to identify patterns of behavior and thought that may be contributing to their symptoms.
Homework may be assigned in between sessions, such as keeping a journal or practicing relaxation techniques. The goal of talk therapy is to help the client develop coping skills and strategies for managing their symptoms, as well as addressing any underlying emotional or psychological issues that may be contributing to their ADHD symptoms.
Research on the effectiveness of talk therapy for ADHD
Multiple studies have found talk therapy to be effective in reducing ADHD symptoms. One study, published in the Journal of Attention Disorders, found that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) was effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD in children, teenagers, and young adults.
Another study, published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, found that a combination of CBT and medication was more effective than medication alone in reducing ADHD symptoms in adults.
Neurofeedback for ADHD
Neurofeedback is a type of brain training that involves monitoring brain waves and providing feedback to help the client learn to regulate their own brain activity. Neurofeedback is often recommended for people with ADHD, as it can help improve attention, focus, and impulse control.
What can a client expect in neurofeedback for ADHD?
In neurofeedback sessions, the client will have a cap with sensors embedded in the cap to monitor brain activity. The client will then play a game or watch a movie while receiving feedback on their brain activity. The goal of neurofeedback is to help the client learn to regulate their own brain activity, which can lead to improved attention and focus.
Research on the effectiveness of neurofeedback for ADHD
Research on the effectiveness of neurofeedback for ADHD has been mixed. A meta-analysis of 36 studies on neurofeedback for ADHD, published in the journal Clinical Psychology Review, found that neurofeedback was a promising treatment for ADHD, but more research is needed to determine its long-term effectiveness.
Wrapping it Up
Both talk therapy and neurofeedback can be helpful for people with ADHD, but they work in different ways. Talk therapy focuses on helping the client develop coping skills and strategies for managing symptoms, while neurofeedback focuses on regulating brain activity to improve attention and focus.
As a parent, it's important to be aware of the different treatment options available for ADHD and to work with a mental health professional to determine the best course of treatment for your child. Seeking professional help is a positive step towards helping your child manage their symptoms and achieve their full potential.
Katy Teen & Family Counseling: 70+ Combined Years in Specializing in Teen, Young Adult, Family, & Couples Therapy
Katy, TX & Houston
ADHD can be a very frustrating thing to experience both as the teen or young adult who have ADHD and for the parents who love them. Talk therapy has been the treatment of choice. Now neurofeedback has been shown to be very effective in helping teens and young adults overcome ADHD.
If your teen continues to struggle despite teaching them the skills for ADHD, call us today to learn more about how we approach ADHD in talk therapy and neurofeedback. We are ready to help!
The Katy, TX location of Katy Teen & Family Counseling, is located right off of I-10 and Grand Parkway/Hwy 99 in Katy, TX.
Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling, located in Sugar Land, TX, is conveniently located off of US 90 and Dairy Ashford Road.
If you are ready to meet with one of our teen therapists or young adult therapists or our neurofeedback therapist, all you need to do is follow these three simple steps:
Contact Katy Teen & Family Counseling
Talk with one of our caring therapistsÂ
Begin the healing process today!
Other Therapy and Counseling Services Offered at Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling
At Katy Teen & Family Counseling, we provide a variety of therapy approaches that are supported by research and shown to be effective. Some of the teen therapy and young adult counseling we offer are:
Board Certified Neurofeedback Therapy
Peak performance (optimal academic brain performance)
Peak performance (optimal athletic brain performance)
PTSD counseling ​
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR Therapy)
Depression therapy ​
Group Therapy for Teens
Body Image
Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling
Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling can be very effective. The secret ingredient to success is each person willing to look at themselves and work to do things differently, together.
When a marriage counselor or couples therapist has this to work with, the success rate can be very high.
Sometimes life will throw challenges at us that create situations that put strain on our marriage or relationship. It may be due to:
Choices and actions that have been made by one partner.
Financial downturn in the economy creating financial strain.
Feeling like you're growing apart.
Feeling like you don't have as much in common as you used to.
Whatever the reason may be, marriage counseling and couples therapy can help. Couples therapy and marriage counseling has also been found to work in less time than individual therapy.
If you've worked hard for this relationship and find that there are now barriers in the way of maintaining a healthy relationship, contact us at Katy Teen & Family Counseling.Â
If you've worked hard for this relationship and find that there are now barriers in the way of maintaining a healthy relationship, contact us at Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling.Â
About the Author
Jason Drake is a Licensed Clinical Worker - Supervisor (LCSW-S), Board Certified in Neurofeedback, EMDR trained, and a Certified Brain Health Professional through the Amen Clinics.
He has provided therapy to teens, young adults, and families since 2003 and is the Owner & Lead Clinician at Sugar Land Teen & Family Counseling, Katy Counseling for Men, & Katy Teen & Family Counseling.
He specializes in leading teams of high performing therapists who also specialize in teen therapy, counseling young adults, and family counseling.
Jason is also a leader in the field of teen, young adult, and family counseling providing expert coaching and technical assistance to teen Residential Treatment Centers across the country.
Jason is also a regular contributor to various magazines and publications lending his expertise to various mental health related topics. You can check these articles out on our "Featured Articles"Â service page on our website.
He has also been a guest on Fox 26 Houston and on the podcasts, "Grow a Group Practice" with Alison Pidgeon, "Let's Talk With Jennifer B", and the "Marketing Matters" podcast with Ashley Brock.
If you are ready to start teen counseling or young adult therapy call, text, or email us today!
Phone Number:Â 281-519-6364
