ADHD-Informed Therapy Support: What ADHD Clients Really Need
Lindsey Peterson 
ADHD therapy works best with reminders, flexibility, movement, and real support—here’s what providers and clients need to know.
As a therapist who works with a lot of ADHD clients — and who also has ADHD myself — I’ve learned that the traditional therapy structure doesn’t always work. It's not that clients don’t care, aren’t motivated, or don’t value their sessions. In fact, most of them care deeply. But ADHD brains operate differently, and unless we as providers adapt our approach, therapy can quickly become another place where they feel like they're “failing.”
Here’s the reality: ADHD clients need specific supports. Not because they’re “too much” — but because we’re often not meeting them in the ways that work for them.
Let me break down what this actually looks like.
🧠 Reminders — More Than One
One reminder the day before a session usually isn’t enough. I’ve learned that two or even three reminders make a real difference — and that sweet spot is often a text about 15 minutes before the session. I can’t tell you how many clients have said, “Thank goodness you texted — I completely forgot even though I was looking forward to it!”
These reminders aren’t hand-holding. They’re accommodations. They help bridge the gap between intention and follow-through — something ADHD impacts directly.
💻 Flexibility Is a Lifeline
Thanks to the virtual world, my sessions have taken place in some wonderfully unexpected places: a client’s car, while they’re making dinner, folding laundry, or pacing their hallway. And you know what? These are some of our best sessions.
Meeting clients where they are — literally — removes the barrier of “getting ready” or “finding a quiet space” when executive function is already maxed out. Sometimes therapy in real life moments is exactly what they need.
👫 Body Doubling Works (And Yes, I Do It Too)
Body doubling is a game changer. Sometimes, we'll fold our laundry together. Or we’ll both do dishes. Or we'll paint our nails while we talk (yes, seriously).
Why? Because movement and presence help ADHD brains stay engaged. It creates momentum and lowers resistance to doing hard or boring tasks. It's not a distraction — it’s regulation.
🎨 Movement Is Not a Disruption
ADHD brains often struggle to sit still and focus for 50-60 minutes. So in my sessions, movement is welcome.
Walk during the session. Use a fidget. Paint. Sort Legos. Cook. Doodle. Do a puzzle. Do a task you’ve been avoiding while we talk. Communication often gets easier when the body is doing something. It's how the ADHD brain enters flow.
🍽 Do the Thing With Them
Some of the most therapeutic moments I’ve shared with clients didn’t happen while analyzing their thoughts — they happened while we did the hard, avoided task together.
We’ve planned meals. Ordered groceries. Called the pharmacy. Scheduled doctor’s appointments. Applied for services. We did the thing that was paralyzing alone — and suddenly, it felt manageable.
Support doesn’t always mean talking about the stuck places. Sometimes it means getting in there and moving through them together.
⏰ Late? Side-Tracked? Tunnel Vision? I Get It.
I don’t love enforcing late cancel fees with ADHD clients — not because boundaries aren’t important, but because shame doesn’t help.
When a client is 5 minutes late, I text. At 10 minutes, I call. Most of the time they say, “I knew I had it — I just got pulled into something and totally lost track.”
That’s tunnel vision. That’s hyperfocus. That’s executive dysfunction. Not disrespect.
Therapists: It’s Time to Adjust
So many of my ADHD clients are doing so much every day — carrying families, careers, creative dreams, emotional burdens. They are not lazy. They are not scattered. They are often overwhelmed and unsupported.
Therapy should not become another place where they feel misunderstood.
It should be the space where they finally feel seen, supported, and safe to show up as they are.
If you’re a provider who works with ADHD clients — or want to start — let’s make sure you’re equipped to spot the signs and offer the support they actually need.
📥 Curious if You Might Have ADHD?
If this blog resonates and you’ve ever wondered “Could I have ADHD?” — I created aFREE ADHD Screening Toolkit to help you explore that question. It includes self-assessment tools and guidance on what to do next.
👉 Access the FREE ADHD Screening Toolkit here!
💌 Want More Support Like This?
If you found this helpful, I send out occasional emails with more posts like this, upcoming workshops, and new resources for ADHDers, self-healers, and helpers.
👉 Join the email list here to stay in the loop.