As a psychologist I am dedicated to staying on top of contemporary research so that my clients can take advantage of the newest information available. Among several e-newsletters I subscribe to, one dedicated to ADHD recently highlighted a new, massive-sized study compiling data from over 300 individual studies. It truly dwarfs other so-called “meta-analyses” that typically combine or average results from just 8-15 studies.
Clients or parents needing encouragement that counseling for ADHD is really worth the investment vs. medication alone will find the results very promising.
The data provide an honest picture that outcomes for those with treated ADHD may not fully equal those without ADHD in the first place, at least in all areas (e.g. grades, employment success, relationships). However, outcomes typically improved significantly or dramatically by seeking out appropriate services. Moreover, and in contrast to some other previous studies, the improvements did not seem to differ significantly from seeking medical treatment instead of counseling; both were equally effective.
I am happy to talk with prospective clients about the relative risks and benefits of both medication and individual/family counseling. Simply call the office to talk briefly by phone– or much more in depth at an appointment. I would also be delighted to hear leads about additional research I may not have seen yet, especially when it’s “hot off the press!”
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