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Table 2 Contents of the group cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) program

From: Cognitive behavioural group therapy as addition to psychoeducation and pharmacological treatment for adolescents with ADHD symptoms and related impairments: a randomised controlled trial

 

Session

Themes

Core symptom modules

1

Orienting participants to the program, including content, structure, and the basic CBT principles. Participants receive psychoeducation about ADHD and write down individual treatment goals.

2

Attention: Various forms of attention and the impact of motivation, anxiety and stress are introduced and discussed. Various attention control strategies are presented and rehearsed in session.

3

Memory: The various memory systems are introduced. External and internal memory strategies are presented. Memory games and exercises are practised within group meetings.

4

Organising and time-management: Consequences of dysfunctional planning and time-management are discussed. Six steps for making a time plan, including use of daily planners and rewards are introduced and rehearsed.

5

Impulsivity: Consequences of having low self-control are introduced and discussed. Various impulse control strategies, including self-talk and distraction techniques, are presented and rehearsed in the session.

Comorbid and associated problem modules

6

Problem solving: The participants learn how to define problems, generate solutions and evaluate them. We rehearse in session, and finally, we evaluate the level of success.

7

Anxiety: Psychoeducation on basic CBT principles, how to cope with negative thoughts, the three- legged table, relaxation strategies and the role of exposure in changing behaviour.

8

Depression and sleep management: Introducing the cognitive model of depression, challenging negative thoughts and the positive role of activity. Psychoeducation about sleep and sleep strategies are introduced.

9

Interpersonal relationships and communication: Introducing and rehearsing verbal and nonverbal communication strategies.

10

Frustration and anger management: Consequences of bad anger management are discussed. We introduce various management strategies, including self-talk, distraction techniques, reframing the situation and relaxation.

11–12

Preparing for the future: We present and discuss the challenges of having ADHD in the transition to young adulthood. We repeat some of the highlights from the program and discuss the participants’ future goals and which skills can be used to achieve them.

  1. Note: All sessions include group activities, homework assignments and telephone coaching between sessions. The content is based on the CBT program of Young and Bramham, 2012