ADHD at The Arete Center
Children Adolescents Adults
providing comprehensive assessment and diagnosis and a full array of clinical services to address ADHD and executive (dys)function
We can help you…
Identify your specific strengths and challenges.
Better understand how your ADHD impacts your /your child’s life.
Explore supportive medication management of symptoms.
Stop the pattern of avoidance/procrastination.
Learn self-advocacy techniques.
Get coaching to help with time management and organization.
Locate local resources and support.
Access the latest reliable research and educational materials.
Assessments
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Dr. Dave Walick is board-certified in Adult, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatry. His specific expertise and experience assessing and treating young children at Children’s Hospital Colorado and in his private practice have made him one of Colorado’s experts in diagnosing and treating ADHD and its co-occurring disorders in children of any age and adults.
Please contact us to schedule an intake appointment through our Contact Us page.
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Clients have two options when scheduling ADHD assessments for patients aged 14-24.
Dr. Dave Walick, board-certified in Adult, Child, and Adolescent Psychology, can provide ADHD assessments for adolescents and young adults and prescribe medication when appropriate. The assessments are 90 minutes long and include the primary caregivers if the patient is a minor.
Clients may also schedule an ADHD assessment with Dr. Justin Michener through the ADHD Clinic for Adults & Emerging Adults. Dr. Michener is a psychologist who can assess for ADHD, provide behavioral strategies and psychotherapy to help manage symptoms, and, if indicated, refer to Dr. Cheney or Dr. Walick for a medication consultation.
Contact us to schedule an intake appointment.
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Adult clients have two options when scheduling ADHD assessments.
Our psychiatrist, Dr. Walick, can assess adults for ADHD and prescribe medication if indicated.
Clients may also schedule an appointment with Dr. Michener through The ADHD Clinic for Adults and Emerging Adults. Dr. Michener, a Psychologist, can assess for ADHD, provide behavioral strategies and psychotherapy to help manage symptoms, and, if indicated, make a referral for a medication consultation with one of our psychiatrists.
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Assessments for ADHD, whether with one of our psychiatrists or with our psychologist, will be as follows:
1) A diagnostic interview with the patient and appropriate caregivers. During this interview, we will assess for symptoms of ADHD and associated executive dysfunctions and other mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression.
2) A review of any previous testing or assessments. Adolescents and adult patients scheduling with Dr. Michener through the Arete Center’s ADHD Clinic for Adults & Emerging Adults will be administered additional testing through an online service before their initial meeting.
3) A collaborative discussion of our findings and the most appropriate next steps, even without an ADHD diagnosis.
A brief written summary of our findings and recommendations is available upon request. A more detailed report, sometimes required for accommodations, can be provided at an additional fee and may take several weeks to complete.
This evaluation is not considered comprehensive psycho-educational testing and does not include an assessment of cognitive functioning or intellectual ability. Such testing is not usually necessary for educational or occupational accommodations for ADHD, but is essential for diagnosing a specific learning disorder. Psycho-educational testing may be required for I.E.P. accommodations and accommodations on some professional, certification, and other standardized examinations.
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A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in assessing the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems. Dr. Walick is Board-Certified in Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatry. He offers assessments, prescribes medications, and can refer patients for additional support for behavioral strategies to manage ADHD and related disorders. Ongoing psychotherapy is available on a limited basis.
A psychologist has a doctorate in psychology and can diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, typically through psychotherapy. The ADHD Center for Adults and Emerging Adults offers ADHD assessments and interventions focused on behavioral approaches to addressing ADHD and co-occurring disorders. Because of this collaborative approach, it is limited to clients willing and able to participate in the therapeutic process, typically those 14 and older.
Young children and less mature adolescents may benefit from pharmaceutical interventions combined with parent management training and/or therapy with a practitioner experienced with your child’s age group.
Interventions
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Our Psychologists will help you develop skills to better manage your ADHD symptoms so you can perform better at work or school, accomplish responsibilities at home, and foster stronger, more meaningful relationships. Reduce procrastination and avoidance, so you can feel less overwhelmed and anxious. Be more present and engaged with friends and loved ones and feel more connected to others. End the helplessness and self-critical thinking that can lead to feelings of guilt and shame.
Parents, caregivers, spouses, and other loved ones are often involved in therapy to provide additional support, improve strained relationships, or develop behavior plans for children.
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Our Psychiatrists work collaboratively with patients and families to determine the appropriateness of psychopharmacological interventions for ADHD. Our focus is on providing patients with information regarding the potential benefits and drawbacks of various interventions and recommending supportive therapeutic interventions in conjunction when indicated.
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ADHD support groups are available at The Arete Center on an ongoing basis. If you are interested in joining, please contact our office or your practitioner.
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We offer Executive Functioning Workshops for high schoolers, college students, and adults. Use the contact form on our website, and a staff member will contact you with information on upcoming sessions.
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“Parent support/coaching for ADHD is a specialized approach that equips parents with strategies and tools to effectively support their child with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It's often considered a form of behavioral parent training, but with a strong emphasis on empowering parents to implement and sustain positive changes in their family's daily life.”
Here's a breakdown of what parent coaching for ADHD entails:
What it is:
Focus on Parents: Unlike direct therapy for the child, parent coaching primarily works with the parents. Empowering parents with the right skills creates a more supportive and structured environment to help children manage ADHD symptoms.
Skill-Building: We teach parents practical techniques to address specific challenges related to ADHD, such as inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and executive functioning difficulties (e.g., planning, organization, time management, emotional regulation).
Tailored Strategies: Sessions are customized to the unique needs of each family and child, considering their age, specific challenges, and family dynamics.
Support and Accountability: We provide ongoing encouragement, feedback and support implementing the learned strategies. We help parents navigate difficult situations and maintain consistentcy.
Complementary Approach: While not a direct treatment for ADHD itself, parent coaching is often seen as complementary to other interventions like medication management or child therapy. It helps parents apply what they learn and sustain positive changes.
Key Techniques and Strategies Often Taught:
While each family is different, we support parents in learning and implementing strategies around the following:
Positive Reinforcement:
Clear and Consistent Communication
Establishing Structure and Routines:
Time Management and Organization
Emotion Regulation
Effective Discipline
Understanding ADHD
Building Independence and Self-Responsibility
Strengthening Parent-Child Relationships
Benefits of Parent Coaching for ADHD:
Improved Child Behavior
Enhanced Family Dynamics
Increased Parental Confidence
Better Communication
Development of Life Skills
Long-Term Success:
Effectiveness:
Behavioral parent training (which parent coaching falls under) is an evidence-based intervention highly recommended for the treatment of ADHD, especially for younger children. It's often considered a first-line treatment for children under six and a crucial part of a combination treatment approach for older children. Research suggests it can significantly improve problem behaviors associated with ADHD and reduce parental stress.