ADHD Therapy for Kids & Teens in Kitchener-Waterloo
Lighter Days, Clearer Paths.
We help children and teens build focus, confidence, and follow-through with ADHD and executive functioning therapy. In-person sessions in Kitchener-Waterloo with the option of secure online ADHD therapy for older teens across Ontario.
When it's a struggle to slow down or get started
Your child or teen often leaves things until the last minute, causing assignments to pile up and small tasks to feel overwhelming. Even when they try to “just focus,” it doesn’t always help, leading to frustration. Although you know they are smart and capable, keeping up with homework, deadlines, and routines remains challenging. At home, this can sometimes result in misunderstandings or your child or teen feeling discouraged.
At Colibri NeuroWellness, we turn the way your child or teen’s brain works into a personalized, practical plan. Our approach combines executive functioning coaching, therapy, CBT, and sensory strategies to help your family achieve real progress in daily life.
ADHD Therapy for Kids & Teens | Kitchener & Waterloo
What is ADHD & Executive Functioning Therapy?
ADHD can make the day feel heavy before it begins.
“ADHD” stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. “Executive functioning” refers to a set of mental skills that help with organizing, planning, managing time, remembering information, handling emotions, and staying in control of your actions.
With schoolwork, changing routines, and friendships to manage, it’s easy for kids and teens to feel overwhelmed or alone. ADHD Therapy helps strengthen executive functioning skills by teaching strategies, helping recognize and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours, using practical tools, developing coping skills, and providing parental guidance to support and reinforce skills at home.
Strong executive functioning skills can help ease anxiety, reduce shame or frustration, and make daily life feel more manageable.
At Colibri NeuroWellness, care is kind, practical, and neuro-affirming. We tailor sessions to your child or teen’s sensory needs, communication style, and executive functioning profile. Using strength-based tools, CBT and DBT skills, ACT, and play & art-based strategies, we give you clear steps to try in therapy and between visits.
Our ADHD therapists in Waterloo often collaborate with Occupational Therapists for those who benefit from Occupational Therapy for ADHD or sensory-based support.
- Finishing homework or turning in assignments on time
- Starting tasks or projects without procrastinating
- Staying organized with schoolwork, materials, or personal items
- Following routines at home or school
- Handling frustration, stress, or strong emotions
- Navigating social situations and friendships
- Acting on impulse, interrupting, or doing things before they think
- Managing time and keeping track of schedules
- Remembering instructions or important details
- Shifting focus between tasks or activities
- Building confidence and reducing feelings of shame or anxiety
- Setting goals and making plans for the future
ADHD Therapy can help build important skills and support your child or teen in daily life.
ADHD Therapy for Kids & Teens | Kitchener & Waterloo
What can ADHD Therapy help with?
Turn Challenges Into Strengths
Attention & Focus
Therapy teaches strategies to enhance concentration, sustain attention during tasks, and reduce distractibility.
Hyperactivity & Restlessness
When your body needs to move, we channel movement, add sensory strategies, and design routines that support regulation.
Organizational, Planning, & Time Management Skills
Interventions include tools and routines to help with planning, time management, and keeping track of assignments or belongings.
Impulsivity & Risk-Taking
Techniques are provided to help children pause and think before acting, reducing impulsive behaviours.
Procrastination & Task Initiation
Getting started can sometimes feel impossible. In ADHD therapy, we break tasks into tiny actions, create “first-step” plans, and beat task paralysis.
Behavioral Concerns
ADHD Therapy addresses oppositional or disruptive behaviours, teaching alternative responses and coping mechanisms.
Emotional Regulation & Rejection Sensitivity
ADHD therapy teaches children to recognize emotional triggers, regulate their nervous system, and respond to challenging situations with self-respect rather than shame, even when emotions fluctuate rapidly or criticism feels intense.
Self-Esteem
Positive reinforcement and skill-building help children recognize their strengths and build confidence.
Sleep & Routine Challenges
If nights are wired and mornings wobble, during therapy for ADHD, we set wind-down rituals, morning anchors, and realistic weekly rhythms.
School Performance & Accommodations
Expectations can sometimes feel unclear or unfair. In ADHD therapy, we’ll map strengths, set supports, and practice advocacy scripts for teachers.
We also work closely with Occupational Therapists when Occupational Therapy for ADHD or autism (ASD) can enhance regulation or classroom/workplace supports.
Social Skills & Communication
If cues get missed or conflicts flare, during ADHD therapy, we use scripts, perspective-taking, and kinder boundaries for friendships and teams.
For children, pediatric occupational therapy or OT services may complement these sessions to support social-emotional learning and sensory needs.
Family Relationships
Family therapy or parent training improves communication, consistency, and understanding within the home environment.
ADHD Therapy for Kids & Teens | Kitchener & Waterloo
Approaches Used During ADHD Therapy Sessions
We use evidence-based approaches that are personalized to you. Depending on your child or teen’s needs, your Colibri NeuroWellness Therapist may integrate:
1:1 Sessions
A calm, confidential environment where your child or teen can share experiences, set goals, and practice strategies to support their well-being.
Neuroaffirming Care
Support that respects your child or teen’s unique neurodevelopmental profile, reduces the pressure to mask symptoms, and focuses on building their strengths.
Strength-Based Therapy
Identify what is working for your child or teen, celebrate small achievements, and build on progress to create lasting momentum.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps shift unhelpful thoughts and habits so your child or teen feels more grounded and capable.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT will help teach your child or teen practical skills to manage big feelings, stay present, and set kind, clear boundaries.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT helps your child or teen acknowledge difficult thoughts and feelings, while encouraging actions that align with their personal values.
Play & Art-Based Therapy
Allowing your child or teen express their feelings, solve problems, and develop skills through play or art that is appropriate for their developmental stage.
Movement-Based Therapy
Movement-based therapy for children and teens with ADHD uses physical activity and body awareness exercises to enhance self-regulation, attention, and emotional control.
Occupational Therapy
Our Pediatric Occupational Therapy team in Waterloo provides sensory-informed strategies to support regulation, transitions, executive functioning, and daily living skills for children and teens.
Parenting Support
Providing caregivers with education, strategies, and guidance to effectively manage ADHD symptoms, foster positive behaviour, and create a supportive home environment. This support helps parents build skills in communication, consistency, and advocacy for their child’s needs.
ADHD Therapy for Kids & Teens | Kitchener & Waterloo
Connect with an ADHD Therapist in Kitchener-Waterloo For Your Child or Teen
Teodora Kostadinovska
MACP, RP(Q)
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Tess Ingram
MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
Michelle Helder
MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
Dana Orton
MACP, RP
Registered Psychotherapist
Christina Kahlou
MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
Leanna Callum
MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
Amy Battistone
MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
Naomi Stager
M.Sc. (OT), OT Reg. (Ont.), B.Sc., AEC
Occupational Therapist
Melissa Aguto
M.Sc. (OT), OT Reg. (Ont.)
Occupational Therapist
Katie George
M.Sc. (OT), OT Reg. (Ont.)
Occupational Therapist
Elizabeth Scanlon
BPH, M.Sc. (OT), OT Reg. (Ont.)
Occupational Therapist
Andreea Sindiescu
M.Sc. (OT), OT Reg. (Ont.)
Occupational Therapist
Our team of ADHD Therapists and Occupational Therapists specializes in supporting children and teens with attention, sensory, and behavioural challenges. With expertise in evidence-based interventions, they help young clients develop practical skills for self-regulation, executive functioning, and daily living.
ADHD Therapy for Kids & Teens | Kitchener & Waterloo
Questions About ADHD Therapy
What is ADHD and what causes it?
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a real neurological and developmental condition that affects focus, time management, executive functioning, emotion regulation, and behaviour.
ADHD can be influenced by a combination of factors, including genetics, brain development, prenatal environment, and birth conditions (for example, low birth weight).
While early adversity can play a role, ADHD is not caused by poor parenting, personality traits, or laziness. This is part of the foundation of our neuro-affirming care at Colibri NeuroWellness in Kitchener–Waterloo and online across Ontario.
Does ADHD look different in different genders?
ADHD can present differently across genders, so treatment is tailored accordingly. In many males, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and frustration are more visible and may be identified earlier. In many females, inattentiveness, daydreaming, lower confidence, and masking are more common, which can lead to later diagnosis or misdiagnosis as anxiety or depression.
This matters for care: Our clinicians look for these patterns and personalize ADHD therapy & executive functioning supports to each person’s presentation.
How do I know if my child needs therapy for ADHD?
Signs that therapy could be beneficial include trouble following instructions, frequent forgetfulness, difficulty staying organized, challenges with sitting still, interrupting others, or struggling to complete tasks at home or school.
If these behaviours are causing frustration, affecting your child’s academic progress, self-esteem, or making it hard for them to connect with peers and teachers, it may be time to seek support.
How does therapy help kids and teens with ADHD?
ADHD cannot be “cured,” but steps can be taken that make symptoms much more manageable for your child or teen at school and home. Therapy helps children and teens develop strategies to manage attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. It can also support emotional regulation, improve social skills, and build self-esteem.
Sessions may include learning organizational skills, practicing coping strategies, role-playing social situations, and working on emotional regulation.
Is ADHD Therapy a form of Talk-Therapy?
ADHD Therapy for children and teens with a Social Worker or Psychotherapist is a form of Talk-Therapy that incorporates play and art-based activities, depending on what is appropriate for their age and developmental level.
Another option is Occupational Therapy for ADHD, which involves hands-on activities, sensory-based interventions, and play to target specific skills such as self-regulation, executive functioning, motor coordination, and daily living tasks. This approach is especially effective for younger clients who may have difficulty expressing themselves verbally or engaging in abstract discussions.
Will therapy help with school performance?
Yes, ADHD Therapy helps develop skills which often improves academic performance.
Our ADHD Therapists focus on executive functioning supports, which includes planning, organization, time management, and dealing with distractions. We also collaborate with your child/teen’s teacher, or help with referral pathways when medication may help.
Can parents participate in therapy?
Yes. Parent involvement is often encouraged, especially for younger children. Depending on the child or teen’s age and needs, sessions may be one-on-one with the therapist, however parents are kept informed on what areas and skills are being practiced during sessions.
Additionally, parent consultation sessions can help caregivers learn effective strategies to support their child’s progress at home.
What do the terms “neurodivergent” and “masking” mean?
“Neurodivergent” is a respectful term used to describe people whose brains work differently from what is considered typical (“neurotypical”. It is not a medical diagnosis, but a way to acknowledge real differences in attention, learning, and how someone experiences the world.
“Masking” means trying to hide or cover up differences in how you think, feel, or behave in order to fit in or appear more typical. This can involve copying others, holding back your natural reactions, or working extra hard to meet expectations. Masking can be exhausting and sometimes leads to feeling worn out or makes it harder for others to notice and understand your needs.
Our neuro-affirming approach aims to reduce masking pressure and build authentic strategies that fit your child or teen.
Is medication always necessary for ADHD?
Not always. Some children benefit from behavioural interventions alone, while others may need a combination of therapy and medication. The best approach depends on the child’s individual needs.
Have more questions? See All FAQs
ADHD Therapy for Kids & Teens | Kitchener & Waterloo
How Life Can Feel After ADHD Therapy
Starting therapy is a brave choice. With steady support and a good fit, small shifts add up and daily life starts to feel more doable.
- Increased confidence, self-esteem, and self-acceptance
- Improved ability to focus and pay attention
- Increased organization and completion of tasks
- Better management of impulsive behaviours
- Enhanced emotional regulation (fewer outbursts or mood swings)
- Greater ability to follow instructions and routines
- Improved social skills and interactions with peers
- Increased self-confidence and self-esteem
- Reduced frustration with schoolwork or homework
- Fewer conflicts at home or school
- Greater independence in daily activities
“Forget ‘try harder.’ When your brain works differently, you need to try different.”
Colibri NeuroWellness
How To Get Started
Taking the first step is an important decision, and we are committed to ensuring you feel heard, respected, and supported from your very first interaction with us. To help you find the right fit, we offer several convenient ways to connect with our team.
However you choose to reach out, we look forward to connecting with you and supporting your mental health goals.
226-212-4842
info@colibrineurowellness.com
826 King Street North, Unit 17
Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 4G8
We provide in-person therapy to those living in Waterloo and surrounding communities – including Kitchener, Cambridge, Elmira, and St. Jacobs – as well as secure virtual therapy for clients located across in Ontario.
Our assessment services are tailored to clinical needs, with psychological assessments utilizing a combination of in-person and virtual components, while nurse practitioner assessments are conducted entirely virtually for your convenience.