ADHD Therapy in Marietta GA: Assessment and Treatment for Adults and Kids

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions — and one of the most frequently misunderstood. For kids, it’s often reduced to “can’t sit still in class.” For adults, it’s dismissed as poor discipline or laziness. Neither characterization comes close to capturing what living with ADHD actually feels like.

If you or your child has been struggling with focus, organization, emotional regulation, or a persistent sense that your brain works differently from everyone else’s, ADHD may be part of the picture. And understanding it — really understanding it, not just managing its symptoms — can change everything.

At Peachtree Psychology’s Marietta office, we provide ADHD therapy that goes beyond symptom checklists. We help children, teens, and adults understand how their brain works, develop strategies that align with their wiring, and build a life that plays to their strengths.

ADHD in Children and Teens

ADHD in young people typically falls into one of three presentations: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, or combined. But these clinical categories only tell part of the story.

What Parents Notice

Parents of children with ADHD often describe a child who is bright but underperforming at school. Homework that should take 20 minutes stretches into a two-hour battle. Instructions seem to go in one ear and out the other — not because the child doesn’t care, but because their working memory isn’t holding onto the information.

Emotionally, children with ADHD may be more reactive than their peers. Small frustrations trigger big responses. Transitions between activities are difficult. Social interactions can be rocky because the child misses social cues or acts impulsively.

In Cobb County’s competitive school environment, these challenges can create a painful gap between a child’s potential and their performance — leading to frustration, low self-esteem, and avoidance behaviors that compound the problem.

What Effective Treatment Looks Like

Therapy for children with ADHD focuses on skill-building, not just behavior modification. We work with kids on executive function skills like planning, time management, and task initiation. We help them develop emotional regulation strategies that work with their neurology rather than against it.

Parent coaching is a critical component. ADHD affects the whole family system, and parents benefit from understanding ADHD neurology, adjusting expectations, and learning communication strategies that reduce conflict. We work closely with parents — and when appropriate, with schools — to create consistent support.

ADHD in Adults

Adult ADHD is dramatically underdiagnosed, particularly in women. Many adults don’t realize they have ADHD until their child is diagnosed and they recognize themselves in the description. Others have spent years being treated for anxiety or depression — conditions that frequently co-occur with ADHD — without addressing the underlying attentional issues.

Signs of ADHD in Adults

Adult ADHD often looks different from the childhood presentation. Hyperactivity may have internalized into restlessness, racing thoughts, or an inability to relax. Inattention shows up as chronic lateness, missed deadlines, unfinished projects, and a desk (or inbox, or closet) that seems to resist all attempts at organization.

Many adults with ADHD describe a pattern of hyperfocusing on things that interest them while struggling to engage with tasks that don’t — even important ones. The emotional dimension is significant too: rejection sensitivity, mood swings, and a deep frustration with their own inconsistency are common themes.

If this sounds familiar, you might also want to read our article on ADHD in women specifically, which explores why the condition is so frequently missed in women and what to do about it.

Therapy for Adult ADHD

Therapy for adults with ADHD at Peachtree Psychology takes a strengths-based approach. Jackie Malone, LPC, works with clients to understand their unique cognitive profile, identify the specific areas where ADHD creates friction, and develop personalized strategies.

This might include building external scaffolding systems for time management and organization, developing awareness of when hyperfocus is productive and when it’s avoidance, addressing the shame and self-criticism that often accompany years of undiagnosed ADHD, and working on relationship communication patterns that are affected by ADHD symptoms.

We also help clients determine whether their anxiety or mood symptoms are primary conditions or secondary effects of living with unmanaged ADHD. Getting this distinction right matters because the treatment path is different. Our article on anxiety versus ADHD in women explores this overlap in detail.

If any of this resonates — whether for yourself or someone in your family — we’d welcome the chance to talk. Schedule a consultation to learn more about how we can help.

Assessment and Diagnosis

Peachtree Psychology offers comprehensive ADHD assessments for both children and adults. A thorough assessment typically includes a clinical interview, standardized rating scales, review of academic and occupational history, and evaluation for co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, or learning disabilities.

We believe accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment. You can’t build the right strategies if you’re working from the wrong map.

Why Our Marietta Office

Our Marietta location serves families and adults across Cobb County. We offer flexible scheduling, including after-school appointments for children and teens and evening availability for working adults. Teletherapy is available for follow-up sessions, though we typically recommend in-person appointments for initial assessments.

We’re conveniently located near Marietta Square with easy access from Kennesaw, East Cobb, Smyrna, and surrounding areas.

A Different Relationship with Your Brain

ADHD isn’t a character flaw or a failure of willpower. It’s a neurological difference that comes with real challenges — and real strengths. Therapy isn’t about making an ADHD brain work like a neurotypical one. It’s about understanding your brain and building a life that works with it.

Ready to get started? Contact our Marietta office at 678-381-1687 or schedule online. Our Marietta office: 800 Kennesaw Ave NW, Suite 310, Marietta, GA 30060. We’re here to help you or your child move from struggling to thriving.

Written by Jackie Malone, LPC, therapist at Peachtree Psychology specializing in ADHD, neurodivergence, and strengths-based approaches.