Best Online Advice for ADHD

Talkspace is an online therapy service that offers to counsel to individuals, couples, and teens 13 years and older who are struggling with mental health-related issues—including ADHD. The subscription-based platform enables users to communicate with a licensed therapist or psychiatrist 24/7 via text, audio, and video messaging.

There are three plans for individual clients: messaging therapy via text, video and audio messaging; live video therapy, and live + messaging therapy. Prices range from $69 to $109 per week, billed monthly. Talkspace also offers psychiatry services for people who need medication management or evaluation in addition to therapy—prices range from about $250 for the initial evaluation and $125 for subsequent sessions. However, controlled substances (such as Adderall) cannot be prescribed through the Talkspace platform. 

After signing up and answering a brief questionnaire, you’ll be matched with a provider within 48 hours based on your needs and preferences. The company does accept some insurance plans and you can cancel or pause your subscription at any time. Free trials are not offered, but sign-up offers are usually available.

Talkspace has subscription-based plans and bills on a monthly, quarterly, or biannual basis —depending on your preferences.

• Messaging Therapy (text, video, and audio messaging): $69/week
• Live Therapy (four 45-minute live sessions each month): $99/week
• Live + Messaging Therapy (text, video, and audio messaging, plus four 45-minute sessions): $109/week

Read Verywell Mind’s Review of Talkspace

Since 2012, ADDitude ADHD's Experts Podcast has been answering questions about all aspects of living with ADHD—from managing symptoms and seeking a diagnosis to treatment options and educational accommodations. Guests include leading researchers, clinicians, and adults with ADHD who share new research, inspirational stories, and real-world tips for living well with the condition.

The podcast is available for free on ADDitude's website, or you can subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast player. New episodes are released every week, each focusing on a specific topic related to ADHD, such as diagnosis, treatment, coping strategies, and mental health. The interviews are informative and provide valuable perspectives from both experts and people who’ve been there. ADDitude also offers a variety of other resources on its website, including articles, webinars, and an online forum.

This is a free resource.

Teens often face unique challenges when it comes to mental health due to increased pressure at school and at home. Inattention may worsen during adolescence, making it even more important for teens to have resources and support—according to a 2021 review in Biological Psychiatry. Enter The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a grassroots organization that offers support and resources for people living with mental illness and their loved ones.

NAMI launched an online ADHD resource center in 2010,  which provides information on symptoms, treatment options, and finding support. The resource center includes a section specifically for teens, with useful tips on talking to friends and family about mental health, managing stress, finding support in school, and social media safety.

In addition to the online resource center, NAMI has support groups that provide a space to share experiences, offer and receive support, and learn from others who are going through similar challenges. Some groups are specific to ADHD, while others focus on general mental health conditions. You can use the location finder on NAMI's website to find support groups in your area—both virtual and in-person groups are available. There, you’ll also find a host of other ADHD resources, including articles, videos, webinars, and online discussion groups

Unfortunately, many virtual groups are still location-dependent, meaning you'll only be able to join if there's a virtual option through one of your local NAMI chapters.

This is a free resource.

The CDC estimates nearly 10 percent of children ages two to 17 years old have ADHD. If you're the parent of a child with ADHD, you may feel overwhelmed and alone. Fortunately, there are evidence-based programs that teach valuable parenting skills and strategies for managing ADHD behaviors—like the Triple P Online Course.

The course is based on the Triple P Positive Parenting Program, which has been effective in reducing behavioral problems and promoting emotional development in children. Parents have also responded positively to the course, reporting a decrease in negative parenting behaviors, such as yelling, anger, humiliation, and physical violence.

The course material is divided into modules, each covering a different topic, such as setting limits and expectations, dealing with misbehavior, promoting positive behavior, and managing stress. There are two courses offered: one for parents of children aged 2 to 12, and one for parents of teenagers.

After completing the course, parents have access to a certificate of completion.

Each course costs $84.95 and includes unlimited access to the material for 12 months. And, if you're not satisfied with the course, there is also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

• Online Course, Toddlers to Tweens: $84.95 
• Online Course, Preteen and Teens: $84.95
  

Having a child with ADHD can be an isolating experience, which is why support groups can be so helpful. The Attention Deficit Disorder Association's (ADDA) Parent Support Group offers weekly, expert-led discussions that cover the ins and outs of parenting children with ADHD. Topics of discussion include behavior management, emotional regulation, time management, organization, and strategies for coping with stress. 

Parents can join the ADDA Parent Support Group by becoming a member of ADDA (annual membership starts at $7.60/month or $79.97/year). Membership includes access to all of ADDA's support groups—not just the Parent Support Group—as well as courses, virtual workshops, and webinars. And the ADDA Parent Support Group is also open to parents with ADHD, not just those with children who have ADHD.

• ADDA Individual Membership: $7.60/month or $79.97/year
• ADDA Family Membership: $15.60/month or $159.97/year
• ADDA Professional Membership: $15/month or $150/year
  

As a telemedicine company, Amwell offers virtual care for a variety of mental health conditions, including ADHD. After creating your account, you can schedule an appointment with a licensed provider who specializes in ADHD management. All sessions are conducted online via video chat. During your first visit, your provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history to develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Your provider may also recommend medication management services to help you find the right ADHD medication and dosage. If you don't already have a diagnosis of ADHD but suspect you may have the condition, Amwell can connect you with a psychiatrist for evaluation. It accepts insurance from most major providers, including Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. You can also pay out of pocket for services; prices vary by provider but typically range from $109 to $129 per session.

Amwell accepts many major health insurance plans, which may cover the cost of an appointment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance doesn't cover telehealth visits, you can pay out-of-pocket for an Amwell visit.

• 45-minute session with a licensed, master’s level therapist: $109/visit
• 45-minute session with a licensed, PhD-level therapist: $129/visit
• Consultation with a licensed psychiatrist: $279/visit
• Follow-up psychiatry session: $109/visit

Read Verywell Mind’s Review of Amwell

If you're looking for an app to help you self-manage your ADHD, we recommend InFlow. The app uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to help you understand your condition and develop coping strategies. InFlow also lets you set goals and track your progress over time. The app offers up to 7 days free, and you can choose from two available subscription plans: the iOS plan with coaching or the android plan without coaching.

After downloading the app on your Android or IOS device, you'll work through a series of nine questions that help the app assess your symptoms. Once you're done, InFlow provides you with a personalized dashboard and a list of activities to help you manage your ADHD. The journal feature lets you track your progress and identify patterns in your symptoms. You can even set goals and reminders to help keep you focused on important tasks. While InFlow doesn't offer live support, you can email the team with any questions or concerns.

App: $47.99/month or $199/year

Sometimes, the best way to manage ADHD is to focus on developing healthy coping skills, like meditation. Headspace is a mindfulness app that teaches meditation and stress-reduction techniques that can help you filter out distractions and better manage your ADHD symptoms. You can choose from a variety of guided meditation exercises, each ranging in length from three to 20 minutes. 

The app also offers courses on topics like anxiety, focus, and sleep—all of which you can try for free for up to 14 days. After that, you can sign up for the monthly subscription for $12.99/month or the yearly subscription for $69.99. Other benefits include inspirational "wake-up" stories, soothing bedtime audio stories called “sleep casts,”, and an "unwind" feature that helps you wind down at the end of the day. You can also access Headspace's content offline so you can meditate even without an internet connection.

• Monthly plan: $12.99/month + 7-day free trial
• Annual plan: $69.99/year + 14-day free trial
  

BetterHelp is a convenient and affordable telehealth platform designed to help you find the mental health support you need. With BetterHelp, you can connect with a licensed counselor experienced in treating ADHD. Its therapists communicate via text, audio, and video,— so you can choose the mode of communication that's easiest for you. Plus, all of your messages are stored in a secure, private online account, so you can access them anytime.

Overall, BetterHelp has a lot to offer, but there are some drawbacks. The service doesn't provide medication management. And, because it's a matching service, you won't be able to choose your counselor—you'll be assigned one based on your needs and preferences. 

Services cost $60 to $90 per week, billed monthly. While insurance doesn't cover the cost of BetterHelp's services, it's an affordable option for quality mental health support.

BetterHelp is a subscription-based service and doesn't accept insurance. Plan pricing varies based on your needs.

• Personalized therapy subscription: $60 to $90/week, billed monthly ($240 to $360/month)

Read Verywell Mind’s Review of BetterHelp