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.