ADHD and ADD Treatment Edmonton
ADHD Doesn't Mean You're Not Smart. It Means You Think Differently.
ADHD assessment and psychotherapy for adults, teens, and older children in Edmonton and online. CDMH offers both formal ADHD assessments and specialized therapy for ADHD-related challenges.
What Is ADHD / ADD?
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), formerly known as ADD, is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are inconsistent with developmental level and significantly interfere with functioning.
ADHD presents differently across individuals.
Some experience primarily inattentive symptoms, others primarily hyperactive/impulsive, and many experience both.
Primarily inattentive
Primarily hyperactive / impulsive
Both (combined)
ADHD is significantly underdiagnosed in women and girls, and often goes unrecognized well into adulthood.
Common Signs of ADHD in Adults and Teens
Inattention
Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks, especially those that are less stimulating
Frequent mistakes due to careless errors or missed details
Difficulty organizing tasks, managing time, or meeting deadlines
Losing things frequently or struggling to find items
Easily distracted by external stimuli or unrelated thoughts
Forgetting daily activities or responsibilities
Hyperactivity & Impulsivity
Restlessness or difficulty sitting still (hyperactive presentation)
Talking excessively, interrupting, or blurting out answers
Impulsive decision-making with little consideration of consequences
Emotional Regulation
Emotional dysregulation: Intense reactions, difficulty tolerating frustration
ADHD Therapy and Assessment Near Me Edmonton
Evidence-Based Treatment at CDMH
CDMH offers both formal ADHD assessment (to clarify diagnosis and functioning) and specialized psychotherapy to address the practical, emotional, and relational challenges of living with ADHD. Treatment is tailored to your specific presentation and goals.
Formal ADHD Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation by a trained psychologist (e.g. Dr. Milann Mitchell)
Therapy for ADHD
CBT for ADHD
Structured skills for organization, time management, and impulse control, while addressing patterns of thinking and behaviour that can make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms and follow through on goals.
ACT
Building psychological flexibility and taking meaningful, values-based action, even when motivation, focus, or discomfort gets in the way.
DBT skills
Clients can learn to build skills to manage their ADHD symptoms — including mindfulness, where clients will learn that with practice, time, and optimizing their environment, they can start to place their attention more where they would like it to be. Mindfulness exists across all DBT modules: emotion regulation focuses on noticing your emotions (how they feel in your body, the action urges, and patterns of thoughts), distress tolerance builds awareness of what distress looks like for each individual, and mindfulness in interpersonal effectiveness helps individuals be more mindful of the people they care about so they can build a life worth living. Can target impulsivity, distractibility, and emotional dysregulation through building skills of awareness in mindfulness (e.g., noticing your senses, urges, thoughts, or drifting attention); adopting skills to tolerate stress and slow down (e.g., the STOP skill); identifying and regulating intense emotions that may amplify impulsivity; and improving interpersonal relationships by communicating boundaries clearly and repairing relationships often strained by impulsive reactions or emotional dysregulation.
ISTDP
In addition to fostering positive strategies for coping in the face of unwanted symptoms of ADHD, ISTDP also addresses symptoms that can look like ADHD, but are better understood as defences and unconscious anxiety covering complex emotions. For example, for some individuals, inattention can be an automatic learned response that functions as to avoid feelings arising within the context of closeness in relationships. In this way, ISTDP processes can assist people in finding relief from problematic symptoms and enjoy greater closeness and intimacy in relationships.
ADHD coaching-informed approaches
Practical strategies for daily functioning
Why Patients in Edmonton Choose CDMH
Evidence-based care, focused on depth and resolution, not symptom management
Team of 9 skilled clinicians with diverse, specialized training
Flagship ISTDP approach with proven outcomes for complex conditions
Interdisciplinary collaboration: clinicians consult and communicate
In-person (Edmonton) and virtual options across Alberta
Founded by an Edmonton Top 40 Under 40 (2025) Registered Psychologist
Fees guided by the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) schedule
ADHD Assessment and Therapy Edmonton
CDMH Helps You Understand ADHD, and Work With It
Book a free 15-minute phone consultation to speak with one of our helpful clinicians today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need an ADHD assessment to start therapy at CDMH?
No. You can access ADHD-focused therapy at CDMH without a prior formal diagnosis. However, if a diagnosis is unclear or you need formal documentation for accommodations, a psychological assessment can provide important clarity.
Who conducts ADHD assessments at CDMH?
Dr. Milann Mitchell (Psy.D., Registered Provisional Psychologist) has specialized training and experience in ADHD assessments for teens (16+) and adults. Please contact CDMH to discuss assessment availability and scheduling.
Is ADHD different in adults than in children?
Yes. While the core symptoms of ADHD persist from childhood, they often present differently in adults. Adults with ADHD may struggle more with organization, time management, emotional regulation, and maintaining relationships than with the hyperactivity seen in children. Many adults are diagnosed with ADHD for the first time in adulthood; however, symptoms of ADHD must be present in childhood in order for a diagnosis of ADHD to be made in adulthood.
How is ADHD diagnosed?
ADHD diagnosis is based on a clinical interview, review of history (including childhood functioning), self-report questionnaires, and sometimes formal cognitive or psychoeducational testing. At CDMH, formal assessment includes a thorough, comprehensive evaluation leading to a formal written report.
Can therapy help with ADHD?
Yes. While medication can be helpful for many people with ADHD, therapy, particularly CBT, ACT, and DBT, has strong evidence for addressing the practical, emotional, and relational challenges of ADHD. Therapy does not replace medication but provides skills and strategies that medication alone cannot.
Is ADHD more common in women than previously thought?
Yes. Research increasingly shows that ADHD has historically been underdiagnosed in women and girls because of different presentation patterns (often more inattentive and less overtly hyperactive). Many women receive their first ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, sometimes after years of self-blame, burnout, or misdiagnosis with anxiety or depression.