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Symposium

Neurodevelopmental and Autism Spectrum Disorders
Symposium

Symposium 34 - Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult ADHD and Related Populations: From Efficacy to Implementation Across Cultures

Saturday, June 27, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM PDT
Location: Yerba Buena Salon 5, B3 Level
CE: 1.5

Keywords: ADHD, Adults , CBT
Level of Familiarity: Basic to Moderate
Recommended Readings: Safren, S. A., et al. (2017). Mastering Your Adult ADHD: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Program (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press,   Knouse, L. E., et al. (2017). Meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioral treatments for adult ADHD. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 85(7), 737-750,   López-Pinar, C., et al. (2018). Long-Term Efficacy of Psychosocial Treatments for Adults With ADHD: A Meta-Analytic Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 9,   Ramsay, J. R., & Rostain, A. L. (2015). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult ADHD: An integrative psychosocial and medical approach (2nd ed.). Routledge,  

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder affects approximately 2.5% of adults worldwide, causing pervasive functional impairment across occupational, social, and personal domains. While pharmacological treatments remain first-line, their limitations underscore the need for evidence-based psychosocial interventions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has emerged as the most extensively studied psychosocial treatment for adult ADHD, yet critical questions remain: Does CBT improve real-world functioning beyond symptom reduction? What cognitive mechanisms underlie ADHD impairment? Do gains persist long-term? Can CBT be adapted across cultures and extended to related populations?

This international symposium addresses these questions through integrated research spanning three continents, combining meta-analysis, longitudinal follow-up, cognitive mechanism identification, forensic application, and caregiver intervention. Researchers from Spain, Japan, and the United States present complementary evidence advancing CBT implementation globally.

The symposium establishes the evidence base through comprehensive meta-analytic synthesis demonstrating that CBT produces robust effects on both ADHD symptoms and—critically—real-world functioning, with effects strengthening over time. This challenges traditional symptom-focused approaches and highlights functioning as a primary treatment target. Building on this foundation, the symposium examines cognitive mechanisms underlying ADHD impairment, identifying a specific triad of distorted thought patterns serving as therapeutic targets and explaining individual differences in treatment response.

Addressing a crucial gap concerning long-term outcomes, the symposium presents the longest follow-up study conducted to date, revealing potential deterioration of gains over time but promising maintenance strategies through digital booster interventions, with direct implications for treatment design and stepped-care models.

The symposium then extends CBT evidence to challenging populations and cultural contexts. Forensic application in Japanese juvenile correctional settings demonstrates effective adaptation for ADHD-affected sexual offenders when integrated with neurodevelopmentally informed modifications. Finally, examination of CBT's extension to caregivers shows that core CBT components—particularly problem-solving skills—independently reduce parenting stress in mothers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

The presentations comprise: (1) meta-analysis establishing CBT efficacy across symptoms and functioning (N > 5,000), (2) identification of a cognitive triad specific to adult ADHD (N = 370), (3) 8-year follow-up examining maintenance and digital boosters (N = 48), (4) forensic application in Japanese correctional settings (N = 40), and (5) examination of problem-solving in mothers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (N = 149).

Together, these provide comprehensive perspective spanning efficacy, mechanisms, durability, cultural adaptation, and extension to related populations, offering actionable evidence for clinicians implementing CBT for adult ADHD.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe CBT effects on functional outcomes versus symptom reduction in adults with ADHD based on meta-analytic evidence
  • Identify the cognitive triad of distorted thought patterns characteristic of adult ADHD as therapeutic targets
  • Explain maintenance strategies for sustaining long-term CBT benefits in adult ADHD using digital interventions
  • Discuss cultural adaptations of CBT for ADHD in forensic settings and diverse international populations
  • Apply problem-solving interventions to reduce parenting stress in caregivers of children with ADHD

Presentations:

  • 9:05 AM - 9:22 AM PDT
    (SYM 34) Cognitive-behavioral Therapy for Adult ADHD: Meta-analysis of the Efficacy on Symptoms, Comorbidity, and Functional Outcomes

    Speaker: Carlos López-Pinar, Ph.D. (he/him/his) – European University of Valencia

  • 9:22 AM - 9:39 AM PDT
    (SYM 34) Is There a Cognitive Triad of Cognitive Distortions That Typifies Adult ADHD?

    Speaker: Russell Ramsay, Ph.D. (he/him/his) – independent practice

    Co-Author: Brad Rosenfield, PsyD (he/him/his) – PCOM

    Co-Author: Robert DiTomasso, PhD (he/him/his) – PCOM

    Co-Author: Morgan Hagner, PhD (she/her/hers) – PCOM

    Co-Author: Craig Strohmeier, PsyD (he/him/his) – Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

    Co-Author: Russell Ramsay, Ph.D. (he/him/his) – independent practice

  • 9:39 AM - 9:56 AM PDT
    (SYM 34) Does CBT for Adult ADHD Remain Effective Long-term? Evidence from an 8-year Follow-up

    Speaker: Misuzu Nakashima, Ph.D., Psy.D. (she/her/hers) – Kyushu University

    Co-Author: Carlos López-Pinar, Ph.D. (he/him/his) – European University of Valencia

  • 9:56 AM - 10:13 AM PDT
    (SYM 34) Practice-based Outcomes of CBT for Juvenile Sexual Offenders with ADHD in Japan

    Speaker: Tsuyoshi Oguro, M.A. (he/him/his) – Free Style Psychological Counseling Office

  • 10:13 AM - 10:30 AM PDT
    (SYM 34) The Association Between Parenting Stress and Problem-solving Skills in Mothers of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Japan: The Roles of Child Problem Behaviors and Social Support

    Speaker: Junichiro Kanazawa, Ph.D. (he/him/his) – Health Sciences University of Hokkaido