Adult ADHD and Executive Functioning Treatment
Executive functioning can make it hard to get started, stay organized, mange time, remember what needs to be done ,follow through on plans. and work toward longer term goals. These challenges are common in adult ADHD anc can also occur in depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, and other mental health conditions.
Common Executive Functioning Challenges
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Poor self-management with regards to time, planning and goals
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Poor organization, problem solving, working memory
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Difficulty with impulse control and follow-through
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Difficulty initiating and sustaining activity
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Low activation, concentration, and alertness
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Poor self-efficacy, poor self-esteem
The Lieber Clinic offers an array of services for adults with Executive Functioning challenges which include
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Expert Evaluation
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Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Executive Functioning
Executive functioning groups serve people who have executive functioning problems secondary to ADHD and/or other psychiatric diagnoses. The group includes psycho-education about executive functioning problems, practical skills training, motivational enhancement skills and CBT to improve resiliency. Individuals identify goals which they would like to pursue during the course of the group and chart their progress while learning what skills help them build independence, self-reliance and confidence. Most participants attend this group once a week for 16-20 weeks. The group curriculum runs in a continuous cycle and includes the following components:
Cognitive Training Groups
This group-based treatment uses specially-designed computer exercises to improve the cognitive deficits associated with psychiatric diagnoses. Participants in this manualized treatment should expect to attend a two-hour session twice a week for a minimum of 13 weeks. A brief neuropsychological assessment is typically done before and at the end of treatment for treatment planning and to track improvements.
Motivation Skills Training (MST)
Motivation Skills Training (MST) is a unique CBT-oriented group which draws upon motivation science to teach people how to upregulate their level motivation in the service of personal recovery goals. Each session entails skill building, individualized goal setting, and workshopping during which group members can share feedback, offer support, and help one another refine their application of pro-motivation skills.
Individual CBT for ADHD and executive dysfunction and community based coaching
This approach is typically an adjunctive treatment to one of the group-based treatments, and is used to help in the generalization of skills learned in cognitive remediation and CBT groups to everyday situations. Working one-on-one with a specialized therapist and/or with a recovery coach trained in EF support in the community can bolster skills acquisition, goal attainment and maintenance.
Family Services
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A multi-family group provides education about executive dysfunction and the resources and support available to families.
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Family coaching is an individual service providing strategies for supporting a family member with executive dysfunction.
Content on this page reviewed for accuracy by Tiffany Herlands, PsyD
