ADHD Therapy in Ottawa for Kids, Teens and Adults
The superpowers of ADHD
Our clients with ADHD—whether children, teens, or adults—often wear their hearts on their sleeves. Many are deeply empathetic, kind-hearted, and emotionally aware. They’re passionate, imaginative, and gifted at thinking outside the box. While they may struggle with focus, emotional regulation, time management, or impulsivity, they also bring high energy, creative thinking, and a strong sense of justice to the world around them. These ADHD superpowers can shine in fast-paced, dynamic environments—especially when they feel supported, understood, and empowered.
Finishing projects or staying on top of deadlines can be an ongoing challenge for adults with ADHD. You may start a task with good intentions but quickly get sidetracked by distractions. Some of our clients tell us they did complete that work report or email—but forgot to send it.
Struggles with time management, procrastination, and executive functioning often lead to chronic stress and frustration. Starting a task—like doing dishes, replying to messages, or paying bills—can feel like climbing Mount Everest.
Emotional dysregulation can also be part of the ADHD experience. Emotions can go from 0 to 100 in seconds, sometimes creating tension in close relationships. Many of our adult clients seek therapy after a partner or spouse notices how ADHD symptoms—like forgetfulness, impulsivity, or difficulty listening—are impacting their connection.
For children and teens with ADHD, everyday schoolwork can feel overwhelming. Assignments get started but not finished—or completed and forgotten in a backpack. Tasks that should take 15 minutes get delayed for hours due to procrastination or difficulty focusing.
Parents often say they need to give their child endless reminders just to complete simple routines. It’s not that their child doesn’t know what to do—they just struggle to actually do it.
Teachers may point out that your child is disorganized, struggles to pay attention in class, or becomes a social butterfly when it’s time to focus. These challenges with attention, impulsivity, and emotional regulation can also affect friendships and family dynamics.
If you’re parenting a child or teen with ADHD, you might feel like you’re always reminding, redirecting, and repeating yourself. You see how smart and capable your child is—but it’s hard when they forget to hand in assignments, lose things constantly, or meltdown over small frustrations.
You might notice:
- Homework time causes stress or conflict
- Simple instructions need to be repeated multiple times
- Emotional outbursts happen quickly and intensely
- Teachers are raising concerns about attention, focus, or organization
It’s also completely normal to feel stressed, overwhelmed, or frustrated as a parent. When your child is often running late, missing instructions, or needs constant reminders, the pressure can build—leading to tension at home, power struggles, or even self-doubt about your parenting.
At Sherwood Psychology, we understand the ripple effects ADHD can have on the whole family. That’s why our ADHD therapy supports both children and their caregivers. We help kids build the skills they need to succeed—and we help parents feel more confident and supported, with practical tools to reduce stress and create more cooperation at home.
We’re here to help you understand what’s going on and support your child in building the skills they need to thrive—at school, at home, and with friends.
What does ADHD look like for adults?
What does ADHD look like for kids and teens?
What Are Parents Noticing?
How can I overcome the challenges of ADHD? Our Approach
Let’s be honest—living with ADHD can feel overwhelming at times. But with the right support, structure, and tools, people with ADHD can absolutely thrive.
At Sherwood Psychology, we offer ADHD therapy in Ottawa that is tailored to your unique brain and life.
For younger clients, we integrate movement, creativity, play, drawing, and interactive games to keep sessions engaging. Therapy shouldn’t be boring; it should feel motivating and doable.
Above all, we take the time to really get to know you. We tailor therapy to your specific needs and strengths so that you feel seen, supported, and understood.
Our approach can help:
At Sherwood Psychology, we offer ADHD therapy in Ottawa that is tailored to your unique brain and life.
For younger clients, we integrate movement, creativity, play, drawing, and interactive games to keep sessions engaging. Therapy shouldn’t be boring; it should feel motivating and doable.
Above all, we take the time to really get to know you. We tailor therapy to your specific needs and strengths so that you feel seen, supported, and understood.
Our approach can help:
- Children and teens succeed at school and feel more confident
- Adults with ADHD improve productivity and self-esteem
- Families create more peace and cooperation at home
- Individuals develop tools for emotional regulation, resilience and happier relationships
- Parents feel calmer and more connected to their kids
At our practice, ADHD therapy goes beyond just managing symptoms. Your therapist acts as your ADHD coach, helping you (or your child) create a personalized game plan for success. We provide structured, research-based support that’s tailored to the unique way your brain works.
Whether you’re struggling with executive functioning, procrastination, or relationship challenges, we’re here to help you strengthen those muscles—one small win at a time.
Here’s a breakdown of the components of ADHD therapy at Sherwood:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps clients recognize and change unhelpful thought patterns while building practical coping skills.
- Mindfulness and Stress Management: Teaches techniques to improve focus and manage emotions effectively.
- Executive Function Coaching: Provides strategies for school success, time management, and organization.
- For Child and Teen clients: Parent Coaching: Helps families create a structured and supportive home environment.
FAQs
ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) shows up in different ways depending on age, personality, and life stage. In children, you might notice difficulty sitting still, frequent interrupting, impulsivity, big emotions, or trouble following instructions. Some kids with ADHD aren’t hyperactive—they may appear distracted, forgetful, or lost in thought.
In teens, signs often include emotional outbursts, missing assignments, difficulty with time management, procrastination, or feeling easily overwhelmed. Teens with ADHD may struggle to stay motivated, manage social pressures, or feel frustrated with their own performance.
In adults, ADHD can look like chronic disorganization, forgetfulness, trouble finishing tasks, missed deadlines, or restlessness. Many adults describe feeling “scatterbrained” or constantly overwhelmed by their responsibilities. ADHD can also impact relationships, self-esteem, and mental health.
No matter your age, ADHD is more than just “not paying attention.” It’s about how your brain processes focus, emotions, motivation, and executive functioning—and the good news is, these areas can be supported in therapy.
1. What are the signs of ADHD in kids, teens, and adults?
2. Does Sherwood provide ADHD assessments or diagnosis?
Yes, our team offers psychoeducational assessments for children and teens (6-19 years old) when ADHD, learning disabilities, or other neurodevelopmental differences are suspected. These assessments provide clarity about how your child learns and processes information, and can help guide school support and therapy.
For adults, we do not currently provide formal ADHD diagnosis in-house, but we can help you find a professional that does. Many of our adult clients begin therapy based on their experiences and symptoms—even without a formal diagnosis—and still see meaningful improvements in focus, routines, and relationships.
For adults, we do not currently provide formal ADHD diagnosis in-house, but we can help you find a professional that does. Many of our adult clients begin therapy based on their experiences and symptoms—even without a formal diagnosis—and still see meaningful improvements in focus, routines, and relationships.
3. Can therapy help if I (or my child) already take ADHD medication?
Yes—research has shown that therapy and medication typically work best together. While ADHD medications can improve focus and impulse control, they don’t teach the day-to-day strategies needed to thrive with ADHD. That’s where therapy comes in.
Therapy helps clients develop:
If you or your child isn’t taking medication, therapy is still highly beneficial on its own. We tailor our approach to fit your preferences, values, and needs—whether or not medication is part of your treatment plan.
Therapy helps clients develop:
- Routines that work with their brain, not against it
- Tools for managing emotional ups and downs
- Time management and organization skills
- Stronger self-esteem and resilience
- Better relationships with family, friends, or partners
If you or your child isn’t taking medication, therapy is still highly beneficial on its own. We tailor our approach to fit your preferences, values, and needs—whether or not medication is part of your treatment plan.
4. What’s the difference between ADHD, Anxiety, and Autism?
ADHD, Anxiety, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can share some overlapping traits—like difficulty focusing, emotional sensitivity, or social struggles—but they’re distinct conditions.
ADHD affects attention, motivation, and executive functioning. People with ADHD may be easily distracted, forgetful, impulsive, or restless.
Anxiety is rooted in worry and fear. For example, a child with anxiety may appear distracted, but the cause is often internal stress—not inattention.
Autism involves differences in social communication, sensory processing, and behavioral patterns. Some autistic individuals also have ADHD, but not all.
Many of our clients experience more than one of these conditions. Our team is experienced in supporting clients with co-occurring anxiety, Autism and learning differences. Therapy is tailored to meet the whole person—not just the label.
ADHD affects attention, motivation, and executive functioning. People with ADHD may be easily distracted, forgetful, impulsive, or restless.
Anxiety is rooted in worry and fear. For example, a child with anxiety may appear distracted, but the cause is often internal stress—not inattention.
Autism involves differences in social communication, sensory processing, and behavioral patterns. Some autistic individuals also have ADHD, but not all.
Many of our clients experience more than one of these conditions. Our team is experienced in supporting clients with co-occurring anxiety, Autism and learning differences. Therapy is tailored to meet the whole person—not just the label.
5. How can ADHD affect relationships?
ADHD can impact how people relate to others, especially when symptoms like impulsivity, emotional reactivity, forgetfulness, or distractibility are misunderstood. In romantic relationships, one partner may feel overwhelmed by responsibilities or hurt by missed cues, while the partner with ADHD may feel criticized or constantly “messing up.”
Parents of children with ADHD often feel exhausted by constant reminders, school struggles, and meltdowns over transitions or simple requests. This can lead to conflict, guilt, and disconnection.
In therapy, we help:
Parents of children with ADHD often feel exhausted by constant reminders, school struggles, and meltdowns over transitions or simple requests. This can lead to conflict, guilt, and disconnection.
In therapy, we help:
- Adults with ADHD improve communication, self-awareness, and emotional regulation in relationships
- Parents reduce conflict and increase cooperation at home
- Children and teens develop social skills and understand how their brain works
- Families reconnect with more empathy, clarity, and calm
6. When should I seek therapy for ADHD?
You don’t need to wait until things feel “bad enough.” If ADHD symptoms are creating stress, strain, or self-doubt in daily life, therapy can help.
It might be time to reach out if:
With the right support, things can feel easier. You or your child can learn to manage ADHD in a way that feels empowering—and start feeling more confident, connected, and in control.
If you’re unsure where to begin, book a free consultation or reach out directly. Dr. Kurta and our team are happy to guide you toward the right next step.
It might be time to reach out if:
- School is becoming a battle or your child is falling behind
- You feel constantly overwhelmed, disorganized, or burnt out
- Your child is struggling with big emotions, focus, or routines
- Relationships are suffering due to miscommunication or frustration
- You (or your teen) feel discouraged, stuck, or like “something’s wrong”
With the right support, things can feel easier. You or your child can learn to manage ADHD in a way that feels empowering—and start feeling more confident, connected, and in control.
If you’re unsure where to begin, book a free consultation or reach out directly. Dr. Kurta and our team are happy to guide you toward the right next step.
