Therapy for Children and Teens with ADHD at Navan Road Medical

Understanding ADHD and Building on Strengths

Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a significant moment for both teenagers and their families. For many, it provides answers to questions that may have existed for years about concentration, organisation, emotions, motivation, friendships, or school experiences.
A diagnosis can bring relief, validation, and understanding. It can also raise new questions about what ADHD means and how best to move forward.
Many teenagers and families find therapy and support helpful after diagnosis. At Centric Mental Health, therapy and support provides a supportive space to better understand ADHD, build confidence, develop practical strategies, and navigate challenges in a way that recognises and values each young person's unique strengths and experiences.

Our Neuroaffirmative Approach

At Centric Mental Health, we take a neuroaffirmative approach to supporting teenagers with ADHD.
This means we view ADHD as a natural difference in how a person's brain works, rather than something that needs to be fixed or cured.
ADHD can bring many strengths, including creativity, curiosity, enthusiasm, problem-solving abilities, and innovative thinking. It can also create challenges in some areas of daily life. A neuroaffirmative approach acknowledges both.
Rather than focusing on changing who a young person is, therapy and support focuses on:
•    Understanding how ADHD affects them personally
•    Recognising strengths and abilities
•    Reducing shame and self-criticism
•    Building confidence and self-understanding
•    Developing strategies that work with their brain, not against it
•    Supporting emotional wellbeing and healthy relationships
Many young people find that understanding their ADHD helps them feel more confident, empowered, and accepting of themselves.

You've Received an ADHD Diagnosis. What Happens Next?

Many families tell us they feel relieved after receiving a diagnosis but were unsure about next steps.
Common questions include:
•    What does ADHD mean for my teenager?
•    How might ADHD affect school and learning? 
•    Why does my teenager still struggle with motivation? 
•    How can we reduce conflict at home? 
•    What support options are available? 
•    Would therapy and support be helpful?

Therapy and support can provide a safe and supportive environment where teenagers and families can explore these questions and develop practical approaches that support everyday life.

Common Challenges Experienced by Teenagers with ADHD 

Every teenager with ADHD is different. However, many young people experience challenges in some of the following areas.
Organisation and School Work.
Teenagers with ADHD may find it difficult to:
•    Keep track of homework and assignments 
•    Meet deadlines 
•    Plan study schedules 
•    Manage competing demands 
•    Stay focused during lessons 
•    Organise materials and belongings
Therapy and support can help teenagers develop practical systems that reduce stress and support learning.

Emotional Regulation 

Many teenagers with ADHD experience:
•    Frustration
•    Intense emotional reactions
•    Rejection sensitivity
•    Impulsivity
•    Feeling overwhelmed
•    Difficulty managing stress
Therapy and support can help teenagers better understand their emotions, recognise triggers, and develop healthy strategies for coping.

Anxiety, Low Mood and Self-Esteem

Many young people with ADHD spend years feeling different from their peers or receiving negative feedback about behaviours that are linked to their neurodivergence.
Over time, they may begin to believe they are:
•    Lazy
•    Not trying hard enough
•    Disorganised
•    "Bad" at school
•    Letting people down
A neuroaffirmative therapeutic approach helps challenge these unhelpful beliefs while building confidence, self-understanding, and self-acceptance.

Friendships 

ADHD can sometimes affect:
•    Peer relationships
•    Social communication
•    Impulse control
•    Reading social situations
•    Managing misunderstandings or conflict

Therapy and support can help teenagers build social confidence and develop stronger relationships with others.

One of the first goals of therapy and support is helping teenagers understand themselves more fully.
This may include exploring:
•    How ADHD affects their daily life
•    Why some situations feel more challenging
•    Their individual strengths and abilities
•    Helpful supports and accommodations
•    Strategies that work for them

Greater understanding often reduces shame, frustration, and self-criticism.

Developing Executive Function Skills

Executive function skills are the mental processes involved in planning, organising, prioritising, and managing tasks.
Therapy and support may help teenagers develop strategies for:
•    Planning
•    Prioritising
•    Time management
•    Organisation
•    Task initiation
•    Completing projects
The focus is on finding practical approaches that fit the teenager's individual needs and learning style.

Supporting Emotional Wellbeing

Therapy and support can help teenagers:
•    Manage anxiety and stress
•    Build emotional regulation skills
•    Develop resilience
•    Improve self-esteem
•    Increase confidence
•    Strengthen self-advocacy skills.

Supporting Parents and Families

ADHD affects the whole family, not just the individual.
Parent support sessions can help families:
•    Better understand ADHD
•    Improve communication
•    Reduce conflict
•    Develop supportive routines
•    Create environments where young people can thrive.

What Does Therapy and support Involve?

Every teenager is unique, and therapy and support is tailored to their individual needs and goals.
Understanding Current Challenges
Together we explore:
•    School experiences
•    Emotional wellbeing
•    Relationships and friendships
•    Family concerns
•    Areas of strength
•    Personal goals

Learning About ADHD - Helping teenagers understand:
•    ADHD-related differences
•    How ADHD affects everyday life
•    Common strengths and challenges
•    Helpful coping approaches
•    Self-advocacy and support needs

Practical Skills Development 

Areas of focus may include:
•    Organisation strategies
•    Managing distractions
•    Study and revision skills
•    Emotional regulation 
•    Problem-solving
•    Communication and social skills 

Ongoing Support and Review

Therapy and support goals are reviewed regularly to ensure support remains meaningful, relevant, and aligned with the teenager's needs.
Why many teenagers benefit from therapy and support after diagnosis
An ADHD diagnosis can provide important answers. Therapy and support can help teenagers make sense of those answers and develop strategies that support them moving forward.
Our neuroaffirmative therapists do not view ADHD as something that needs to be cured of fixed. Instead, therapy and support focuses on helping teenagers understand themselves, build on their strengths, navigate challenges, and develop confidence in who they are.
When young people better understand their ADHD and learn strategies that work for them, they are often better equipped to navigate school, friendships, family life, and future opportunities.

How do I know if my teenager would benefit from therapy and support after an ADHD diagnosis?

Therapy and support may be helpful if your teenager is experiencing anxiety, low self-esteem, difficulties with emotional regulation, school-related stress, friendship challenges, family conflict, or wants support in understanding their ADHD.

What age can teenagers attend ADHD therapy and support?

Therapy and support can support adolescents throughout their secondary school years and are tailored to their developmental stage, needs, and goals.

Can parents attend therapy and support sessions?

Yes. Parents may be invited to attend part of a session where appropriate, and separate parent support sessions may also be offered.

How often do teenagers typically attend therapy and support?
Many teenagers attend weekly or fortnightly appointments, although this varies depending on their goals and support needs.

Can therapy and support help with school-related difficulties?

Yes. Therapy and support can support organisation, planning, time management, study skills, emotional wellbeing, and confidence in the school environment.

Can therapy and support help with ADHD and anxiety?

Yes. Anxiety commonly occurs alongside ADHD, and therapy and support can assist with both.

Is online therapy and support available?

Both online and in-person appointments may be available, depending on individual needs and preferences.

How much is ADHD therapy and support for my teenager?

Fees vary depending on the type of support required and the clinician involved. Find out more here.

How do I book an ADHD therapy and support appointment for my child/teenager?

Simply click the ‘Book Now’ button on the right of this page.

Want to know more before you decide?

Seeking support for your teenager can feel like a big step, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. We're here to help.
To learn more about our neuroaffirmative approach to ADHD support, fill in this form, email us [email protected] or call 01 611 1719. Together, we can explore what type of support may be most helpful for your teenager and family.