Patient guide

Finding Help for ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects focus, organization, and impulse control, and it often continues into adulthood. A proper evaluation distinguishes ADHD from other causes of inattention, and effective treatment can meaningfully improve daily functioning.

ADHD is diagnosed through a structured clinical evaluation, not a single test, and is effectively treated with medication, behavioral skills and coaching, or both. On HometownMind you can find providers who evaluate and manage ADHD in adults and children, or get matched with one for free.

Information current as of June 2026. General education, not medical advice.

Common signs

How adhd is treated

Comprehensive evaluation

Diagnosis is based on a structured history and standardized rating scales, not a single test.

Medication management

Stimulant and non-stimulant medications, managed by a qualified prescriber, are among the most effective treatments.

Skills and coaching

Behavioral strategies and therapy help build organization, time-management, and emotional-regulation skills.

Which provider treats adhd?

Choose a provider experienced in ADHD across the lifespan and able to offer both evaluation and ongoing management. Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners can prescribe and manage medication, while therapists provide talk therapy such as CBT. Many people work with both.

How psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and therapists differ
PsychiatristPsychiatric nurse practitionerTherapist
Can prescribe medicationYesYesNo
Typical trainingMedical degree (MD or DO) plus a psychiatry residencyGraduate nursing degree (MSN or DNP) with psychiatric certificationMaster's or doctoral degree in counseling, psychology, or social work
Primary focusDiagnosis and medication managementDiagnosis and medication managementTalk therapy and counseling
Often best forComplex or severe conditions and medication needsMedication management, frequently with shorter wait timesTalk therapy, coping skills, and ongoing support

Providers who treat adhd

Janette Knox, MA, MFT

Addiction Counselor
Tarzana, CA
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Yvette Mangual McWilliams, RADT

Addiction Counselor
San Francisco, CA
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Julie Valenzuela

Addiction Counselor
Redlands, CA
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Barbara McConaha

Addiction Counselor
Zanesville, OH
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Efrain Talavera

Addiction Counselor
Lowell, MA
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Linda Velasquez

Addiction Counselor
Victorville, CA
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Carl Regensberg, LADAC

Addiction Counselor
Albuquerque, NM
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Colleen Serreno, LPC, LCAS

Addiction Counselor
Huntersville, NC
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Clark Guest, LAADC #LNR2090411

Addiction Counselor
Hayden, ID
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Kristi Thomas

Addiction Counselor
Denver, CO
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Cynthia Artz, BS, LADC

Addiction Counselor
North Branch, MN
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Patricia Housley

Addiction Counselor
San Diego, CA
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Melissa Wagner, LCAS

Addiction Counselor
Gastonia, NC
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Anthony Scrofine, PMHNP-BC, LCADC

Addiction Counselor
Toms River, NJ
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Maurice Byrd

Addiction Counselor
San Francisco, CA
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Cynthia Kealey, APRN BC PSYCH CLINIC

Addiction Counselor
Centereach, NY
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Craig Jordan, CDCA

Addiction Counselor
Rock Creek, OH
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Valerie Carrimon, SAC-IT

Addiction Counselor
Black River Falls, WI
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Larissa Yossefi, NP

Addiction Counselor
Roslyn Heights, NY
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Adam Fussaro

Addiction Counselor
Philadelphia, PA
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Jeff Monroe, RAC-5049

Addiction Counselor
Baton Rouge, LA
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Casey Sanders, CADC 1

Addiction Counselor
Hermiston, OR
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Stephen Miller

Addiction Counselor
Brockton, MA
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Dale McQueeney, FPMHNP

Addiction Counselor
La Grande, OR
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Frequently asked questions

How is ADHD diagnosed in adults?

Diagnosis is based on a detailed history and standardized rating scales that look for symptoms present since childhood across multiple settings, not a single test. A qualified provider rules out other causes of inattention before confirming ADHD.

Can adults be treated for ADHD?

Yes. ADHD frequently continues into adulthood and responds well to treatment. Stimulant and non-stimulant medications, along with coaching and organizational strategies, can meaningfully improve focus and daily functioning.

Who can prescribe ADHD medication?

Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners can evaluate ADHD and prescribe and manage medication. You can find prescribers experienced in ADHD on HometownMind or get matched for free.

Authoritative resources

Other conditions

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