Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for ADHD in Adolescents: Clinical Considerations and a Case Series

• We describe the adaptation of our CBT for ADHD in adults to be used with adolescents.
• CBT was well tolerated by 3 adolescent clients with ADHD, as illustrated by 3 case descriptions.
• The 3 participants and their parents reported symptom improvement in ADHD symptoms following the CBT.

Although ADHD in adolescents is an impairing and prevalent condition, with community prevalence estimates between 2% and 6%, psychosocial treatments for adolescents compared to younger children are relatively understudied. Our group has successfully developed an evidence base for cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for ADHD in medication-treated adults with ADHD with clinically significant symptoms. In the current paper, we describe an adaptation of this treatment to adolescents, and provide case reports on 3 adolescents who participated in an open pilot trial. The results suggest that the treatment approach was well tolerated by the adolescents and that they experienced clinical benefit. This early report of the approach in adolescents is promising and requires further efficacy testing.