Applying Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for ADHD to Emerging Adults

• We highlight the implications of emerging adulthood for conducting CBT for ADHD
• These clients may be more difficult to engage in treatment
• Lack of institutional and social structure may also pose a challenge
• Impulsivity and risky behavior may be more prominent than in later adulthood
• We provide specific recommendations for therapists to meet these challenges in CBT

During emerging adulthood, people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—a disorder of self-regulation—face immense developmental challenges due to increasing demands for autonomy and self-reliance in the context of decreasing institutional and social supports. These challenges may also complicate the delivery of cognitive-behavioral treatments that have demonstrated efficacy in adults with ADHD. As such, this article highlights the implications of emerging adulthood for people with ADHD, describes common challenges in conducting skills-based treatment with these clients, and provides specific recommendations for the CBT therapist based on outcome studies, clinical literature, and clinical experience with this population.