6 Best ADHD Therapists in Chicago
Living with ADHD can feel like your brain is running on ten different channels at once—making it tough to focus, stay organized, or manage day-to-day life. Whether you're a parent watching your child struggle in school or an adult finally putting a name to lifelong challenges, you deserve support that actually works.
At Feel Good Counseling Center, our Chicago-area therapists specialize in ADHD therapy for both children and adults, helping you build practical skills and strategies that fit your real life. Contact us when you’re ready to begin.
Meet your Chicago ADHD specialists
What to expect from the therapy process
Step 1: Request an appointment
Start by filling out this brief online form. From here, our office will be in touch within 24-48 hours to discuss your needs, match you with a therapist, and set up your intake session.
Step 2: Initial assessment
At your first appointment, we’ll begin to understand how ADHD shows up in your life and talk about what you’re hoping to achieve. Together, we'll map out goals that actually matter to your daily life.
Step 3: Building practical skills & strategies
Through evidence-based approaches like CBT and DBT, you'll learn concrete tools to manage focus, organization, time management, and emotional regulation. These are actionable strategies you can use right away.
Step 4: Ongoing support & adjustment
ADHD doesn't look the same every day, so your therapy shouldn't either. We'll regularly check in on what's working and adjust your strategies as your life changes and you grow.
Common symptoms of ADHD
ADHD in children & adolescents
Constantly interrupting conversations or blurting out answers before questions are finished
Difficulty sitting still in class, always fidgeting, tapping, or getting up when they're supposed to stay seated
Forgetting homework assignments, losing school supplies, or struggling to keep track of belongings
Starting projects with enthusiasm but rarely finishing them
Trouble following multi-step directions or completing chores at home
Difficulty making and keeping friendships due to impulsive behavior or missing social cues
Frequent daydreaming or seeming "spaced out" during lessons
Struggling with transitions between activities or becoming upset when routines change
Taking unnecessary risks without thinking about consequences
Low frustration tolerance, leading to emotional outbursts or meltdowns
ADHD in adults
Chronic lateness and difficulty managing time, even when you really want to be on time
Starting multiple projects and leaving them unfinished, leading to feelings of guilt or inadequacy
Forgetting important appointments, deadlines, or commitments despite your best intentions
Difficulty maintaining focus during conversations, meetings, or while reading
Impulsive spending or decision-making that creates financial stress
Struggling to keep your living or work space organized, leading to constant clutter
Procrastinating until the last minute, then working in a panic to meet deadlines
Difficulty regulating emotions—feeling intense frustration, anger, or sadness that seems out of proportion
Feeling restless, always needing to be "doing something" but not sure what
Relationship challenges due to forgotten promises, missed plans, or seeming "checked out"
Low self-esteem from years of feeling like you're "not living up to your potential"
How ADHD therapy can help
Develop executive functioning skills
ADHD disrupts your brain's management system. In therapy, you'll learn practical strategies for planning, prioritizing, and organizing tasks. We'll help you build systems that work with your brain—like creating routines that stick or breaking projects into manageable steps—so you feel more in control.
Improve emotional regulation
ADHD makes emotions feel more intense and harder to manage. Through DBT and mindfulness techniques, you'll recognize emotional patterns, understand your triggers, and develop healthier responses. You'll learn to pause and choose how you react rather than feeling hijacked by frustration or overwhelm.
Build self-esteem and reduce shame
Years of hearing you're "not trying hard enough" can create deep shame. Therapy helps you challenge those beliefs and recognize your strengths. You'll separate ADHD symptoms from your identity, develop self-compassion, and see yourself as capable—not defective—as real progress builds your confidence.
Strengthen relationships & communication
ADHD can strain relationships through forgotten plans and emotional reactions. You'll learn communication strategies to help loved ones understand your experience, plus tools to stay present, follow through on commitments, and manage conflict. We'll build systems that strengthen connections, not just manage symptoms.
FAQs about ADHD counseling
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Look for therapists with specific training or specialization in ADHD, neurodivergence, or executive functioning skills. Most therapists have a baseline understanding of ADHD, but finding a therapist who has expertise in this area can make a difference.
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No, we don't provide formal ADHD testing. If you need an evaluation, we can refer you to a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist for testing. However, therapy can still be helpful whether or not you have a formal diagnosis.
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There’s no singular “best” type of therapy for ADHD. We use a blended approach that’s tailored to each person’s unique needs and goals. Our therapists often use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) because they focus on building practical skills—like organization, time management, and emotional regulation.
Many of our therapists also incorporate mindfulness techniques, strengths-based approaches, and person-centered therapy to create a customized plan that works with how your brain functions.
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Finding the right fit is a key part of effective therapy. Here are why our clients choose us:
We specialize in neurodivergence: Multiple clinicians on our team have training and experience working with ADHD and other neurodivergent brains.
Flexible scheduling: We offer evening and weekend appointments, with sessions available as early as 8 am and as late as 7-8 pm, seven days a week.
Both virtual and in-person options: You can switch between formats based on what works for your schedule.
Diverse, inclusive team: Our therapists come from various backgrounds and offer services in multiple languages, ensuring culturally sensitive care.
We accept Medicaid and BCBS PPO: Making quality mental health care accessible is a priority for us.
If this resonates with you, we’d likely be a good match. Request an appointment here.