This week I attended a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) webinar hosted by ADDitude Magazine on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for ADHD. The event featured leading experts Dr. Michael Meinzer and Dr. Saskia Van der Oord, who explored how CBT can either empower or inadvertently suppress neurodivergent clients—depending on how it’s delivered.
As both a therapist and lifelong learner, I see CPD not just as a regulatory requirement, but as a professional ethic. My earlier careers in IT and teaching instilled in me the importance of continual development, and that same curiosity fuels my current practice as a hypnotherapist and coach. Staying informed means I can deliver evidence-based, inclusive care that genuinely benefits my clients.
Rethinking ADHD: From Disorder to Difference
One of the most powerful takeaways from the session was a discussion around language. Instead of viewing ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence through a deficit-based lens, the speakers framed them as value-neutral differences.
This reframing recognises that much of what we call “disability” arises not from the person, but from the environment. When environments are supportive and adaptive, the challenges often lessen or disappear. Conversely, when settings are rigid or non-inclusive, difficulties become more pronounced.
This perspective aligns with the social model of disability—a framework that shifts focus from what is “wrong” with an individual to how societal structures can better accommodate diverse ways of thinking, learning, and being.
Dr. Meinzer and Dr. Van der Oord also advocated for replacing the word disorderwith dysregulation when describing ADHD. This subtle linguistic change carries enormous weight. It recognises that the emotional and attentional challenges associated with ADHD are not pathological but reflect different regulatory mechanisms that can be supported, not “fixed”.
The Dual Nature of CBT for ADHD
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most researched and widely used interventions for ADHD in both adults and young people. It can be highly effective in helping individuals manage time, build structure, and develop emotional regulation skills.
However, as this webinar highlighted, traditional CBT approaches—designed around neurotypical cognitive patterns—may inadvertently promote masking. That is, clients might learn to suppress authentic behaviours to appear more “acceptable” or “in control” by neurotypical standards.
While CBT’s structured, skills-based methods can support executive function, its focus on “challenging distorted thoughts” or “modifying maladaptive behaviours” can sometimes reinforce the message that ADHD traits are inherently problematic.
Adapting CBT: Towards Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy
When adapted thoughtfully, CBT for ADHD becomes a powerful tool for self-understanding and authenticity. Rather than trying to normalise or correct difference, neurodivergent-affirming CBT seeks to:
• Help clients identify how their environment impacts their focus and regulation.
• Teach self-compassion instead of self-criticism.
• Support behavioural change that aligns with personal values, not external expectations.
• Encourage curiosity toward thought patterns rather than judgment.
• Foster self-efficacy—the belief that one can effectively navigate life using their own unique strengths.
The experts emphasised that CBT’s success depends greatly on the therapist’s inclusivity. Research shows that outcomes decline when practitioners fail to adopt neurodivergent-affirming perspectives. In other words, the therapist’s mindset matters just as much as the method.
Authenticity Over Conformity
A key question raised in the session was:
“Does CBT help clients live authentically, or does it train them to conform?”
The answer lies in how it’s applied. When CBT is delivered through a neurotypical lens, it risks encouraging clients to hide or mask traits to meet societal norms. But when adapted by a neurodivergent-informed practitioner, it becomes a framework for authenticity—empowering clients to navigate life more effectively as themselves.
The modern evolution of CBT embraces flexibility, self-acceptance, and an understanding that cognitive diversity is not a flaw to be corrected but a feature to be supported.
Therapist Reflection: The Role of Continuous Professional Development
For practitioners, engaging with neurodiversity-informed CPD like this is essential. It ensures we stay aligned with best practice, challenge our own assumptions, and evolve with the field.
My own takeaway is that inclusive therapy is not about applying new tools—it’s about seeing through a new lens. When we shift our perception from “fixing deficits” to “supporting differences,” we not only improve outcomes but help reshape the cultural conversation around mental health and neurodiversity.
Key Insights from the Webinar
• Neurodivergence is difference, not disorder.
• Environment plays a defining role in how “disabling” a condition feels.
• Language matters — words like “dysregulation” are more accurate and compassionate than “disorder.”
• CBT for ADHD is most effective when adapted to the client’s neurotype.
• Therapist inclusivity directly affects outcomes.
Final Thoughts
CBT remains one of the most versatile and evidence-based therapies for ADHD—but only when practiced in ways that honour the individuality and lived experiences of neurodivergent clients.
As practitioners, it’s our responsibility to evolve beyond models that promote conformity, and instead, offer therapies that foster confidence, autonomy, and authenticity.
References & Further Learning:
• Do Current CBT Approaches Inadvertently Promote Masking? — ADDitude Magazine Webinar
Speakers: Michael Meinzer, Ph.D. and Saskia Van der Oord, Ph.D.