Using the ADHD Identity Model to accelerate rapport and therapeutic change (January 21, 2025)

Presented by: Marcy Caldwell, Psy. 

There is a rich tradition of Identity Development models mapping one’s personal relationship with their own identity (Ergun, 2020; Mahler,1975).  However, these models are often based within a medical model that identifies the hegemonic group as the standard and views difference as a deviance. Disability Identity models, like those crafted by Gibson (2006) and Forber-Pratt and Zape (2017) help to resolve this issue, but the complex, nuanced and invisible nature of living with ADHD can create an experience that often falls outside these models, leading to the proposal of the ADHD Identity Development Model. This model describes the various stages that a person may experience as they identify, grapple with, and accept and embrace the unique ways in which their brains work.

This webinar will describe the ADHD Identity Development Model, which serves as a roadmap that illuminates where clients are on their journey and also helps healthcare professionals know how to best approach to develop rapport, tailor interventions, and facilitate maximal growth and transformation. This can lead to empowering clients, promoting resilience, and facilitating collaborative goal setting to accelerate therapeutic change and improve overall outcomes.

After taking part in this webinar, participants will be able to: 

1. Explain the strengths and vulnerabilities associated with each stage of ADHD Identity Development.
2. Describe the 5 stages of ADHD Identity Development.
3. List key interventions and strategies for each stage of development.

Level  Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area)