ADHD Therapy for Children in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
ARE YOU Struggling with your child’s focus, behavior, or emotional outbursts?
You’re not alone. Our ADHD therapy for children in Tampa and St. Petersburg helps families find relief, build stablility at home, and support their child’s growth with personalized, evidence-based care.
Our Approach to Supporting Childhood ADHD
Every child has unique abilities that make them who they are, but sometimes presentations such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can leave families feeling lost, exhausted, or overwhelmed on how to navigate the challenges it can present. Troubles with focusing, engaging in positive behaviors, and regulating emotions is a challenge faced by many children and families in the Tampa and St. Petersburg area. These challenges can impact a child’s ability to regulate themselves at school, manage tasks and chores at home, and can challenge relationships with parents, siblings, and peers. At It Begins Within, we specialize in finding ways to support children and families with managing these challenges in an individualized, evidence-based, and developmentally-appropriate way. It’s not about “fixing” or “curing” your child’s ADHD, but rather learning unique ways to meet their needs.
ADHD in Children
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders diagnosed among our youth. While it is one of the most common, it often holds a negative stigma that it is a product of “parenting failure.” The reality is that it is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning there are key differences in brain development and function that lead to this type of diagnosis. Research points to differences in brain structure and development that leads to challenges with attention, focus, and impulse control. ADHD is marked by having symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity. This diagnosis has an onset prior to 12 years old, and causes functional impairment across multiple settings.
Types of ADHD in Children and How therapy can Help
ADHD can look very different from one child to the next. There are three main presentations of ADHD in children:
Inattentive Type - Difficulty staying focused, disorganization, forgetfulness, easily distracted
Hyperactive-Impulsive Type - Fidgeting, nonstop talking, interrupting others, acting without thinking
Combined Type - A mix of inattentive and hyperactive symptoms, which is the most commonly diagnosed form
At It Begins Within, we provide ADHD therapy for children in Tampa and St. Petersburg that’s rooted in compassion, not correction. Our clinicians use developmentally appropriate, evidence-based methods to help children thrive, while equipping parents with tools to support lasting improvement. We’re proud to serve families throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas County.
Common Signs of ADHD in Children
Common signs of ADHD in children include:
Regularly failing to pay attention to detail and difficulty sustaining attention
Troubles with organization and keeping track of belongings
Difficulty following directions without becoming distracted
Often reluctant to engage in tasks that are not preferred or require prolonged attention
Acting as if they are “driven by a motor” with challenges remaining seated or being still
Impulsivity and troubles waiting turns in play or conversations
Low frustration tolerance and irritability, often leading to emotional dysregulation
How ADHD Impacts the Whole Family
Living with a child who has ADHD can undoubtly have a significant impact on everyone in a household. Many families in Tampa and St. Petersburg come to us feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsure how to manage daily struggles, especially when they feel like they’ve tried everything.
Parents often feel stressed when their child can’t stick to a routine, resists simple instructions, or seems to be in constant motion. Caregivers may quietly carry guilt, wondering if they’re doing something wrong or why parenting feels so hard. You’re not alone.
ADHD can impact more than just focus, it can lead to daily struggles such as:
Regular power struggles over chores and homework
Emotional meltdowns when routines are disrupted
Trouble staying on task at school
Sibling rivalry and frequent household conflict
Strained parent-child relationships
At It Begins Within, we understand that ADHD affects the whole family, not just the child. That’s why our ADHD counseling for children and parents focuses on creating calm, rebuilding connection, and reducing chaos at home.
ADHD Therapy Options for Children and Parents in Florida
At It Begins Within, we provide evidence-based ADHD treatment for children and families in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. Our specialized child counselors focus on helping families navigate ADHD with sustainable, developmentally appropriate strategies that work.
While many families face similar challenges, we recognize that each child and family is unique. That’s why every client receives a personalized, tailored, and practical treatment plan.
We offer a range of therapeutic options to support emotional regulation, focus, impulse control, and family harmony, including:
We also understand that ADHD often shows up across different environments. That’s why we coordinate care with schools, pediatricians, and other healthcare providers to ensure your child receives consistent and integrated support.
We take psychiatric medication for children very seriously. Every child begins with a comprehensive psychiatric assessment and evaluation to ensure we fully understand their unique needs. When appropriate, we conduct additional testing including bloodwork and genetic testing to inform our treatment decisions.
While this thorough approach is standard for all our psychiatric medication management patients, we take additional precautionary measures with children because we understand the significance these decisions have on their development and wellbeing.
Following the evaluation, our psychiatric providers meet and collaborate directly with your child's therapist to ensure comprehensive, coordinated care that is truly focused on your child's individual needs. This team-based approach means every aspect of your child's treatment works together.
Evidence-Based ADHD Medications for Children
At It Begins Within, we prescribe FDA-approved medications proven to reduce the core symptoms of ADHD—inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Treatment options include:
Stimulant Medications
The first-line treatment and include methylphenidate-based options (Ritalin, Concerta, Quillivant XR) and amphetamine-based medications (Adderall, Vyvanse, Adzenys XR). Most children with ADHD experience significant symptom improvement with stimulant medications.
Non-Stimulant Medications
Provide effective alternatives for children who don't respond well to stimulants or experience side effects. Options include atomoxetine (Strattera), viloxazine (Qelbree), and alpha-2 agonists like clonidine and guanfacine. These medications offer flexibility in formulation, including newer liquid options for younger children.
Summary
The right medication depends on your child's unique symptoms, medical history, age, and individual response. Our psychiatric providers will work with you to find the most effective option with the fewest side effects, adjusting treatment as your child grows and their needs change.
How Parent Involvement Improves ADHD Treatment
Treatment for ADHD is most effective when parents are actively involved, a fact which is supported by decades of clinical research. One widely cited meta-analysis by Chronis et al. (2004) found that parent involvement and training led to significant improvements in child behavior.
While ADHD is a neurological condition, symptom management often requires more than traditional talk therapy or medication. Many families in Tampa and St. Petersburg report meaningful progress when they receive practical tools, consistent support, and a deeper understanding of how ADHD uniquely affects their child.
At It Begins Within, we provide specialized training for parents called ADHD parent coaching. It is a collaborative process where therapists help parents lower stress, improve communication with their child, and feel more confident responding to day-to-day challenges.
Through parent coaching at ibw, you’ll learn how to
Set clear expectations and follow through with consistency
Manage transitions, outbursts, and impulsive behavior with confidence
Improve family communication and reduce power struggles
Modify discipline strategies to align with how your child’s brain works
This isn’t about “fixing” your parenting, it’s about giving you the right tools and support to create a calmer, more connected home.
Why Families Choose It Begins Within for ADHD Therapy
Choosing the right support for your child is an extremely important decision, and one we do not take lightly. At It Begins Within, families in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and across Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties trust us for our depth of clinical experience, personalized approach, and most importantly our shared passion for helping children. Under the guidance of Dr. Mary Perleoni, LMHC, we are home to Tampa’s top child therapists and all of our clinicians maintain small caseloads in order to provide you and your family the time, flexibility and attention you deserve.
We also recognize that ADHD rarely exists in isolation. Many of the children we work with are also navigating:
Anxiety and emotional regulation issues
Executive function delays
Low self-esteem or confidence
Social or behavioral challenges at school and home
Meet Our ADHD Child & Teen Therapists in Tampa, Sarasota & St. Petersburg
-
![Julia LCSW is a specialized sarasota child therapist for adhd]()
Julia Loewi, LCSW
Specialized in Treating ADHD in Tweens & Teenagers in Sarasota
-
![Ashley Canto, LCSW - Child ADHD Therapist in Tampa]()
Ashley Canto, LCSW
Child ADHD Therapist in Tampa
-
![Melissa Zentner, LMHC - ADHD and Behavior Specialist in Tampa]()
Melissa Zentner, LMHC
ADHD and Behavior Specialist in Tampa & St. Petersburg
-
![Ciana Nguyen, LCSW - Licensed Child Therapist for ADHD in Tampa Bay]()
Ciana Nguyen, LCSW
Licensed Child Therapist for ADHD in Tampa Bay & Sarasota
-
![Mary Perleoni, Ph.D - Pediatric ADHD Therapist in St. Petersburg]()
Mary Perleoni, Ph.D., LMHC
Pediatric ADHD Therapist in St. Petersburg
-
![Teen ADHD Therapist and Executive Function Coach in St. Petersburg]()
Amanda Farris, LCSW, QS
Teen ADHD Therapist and Executive Function Coach in St. Petersburg
-
![Megan - ADHD and Emotional Regulation Specialist in St. Pete, FL]()
Megan Midura, MA
ADHD and Emotional Regulation Specialist in St. Pete
-
![Lauren ADHD Therapy and Parent Coaching Provider in Tampa Bay]()
Lauren Pankuch, LMHC
ADHD Therapy and Parent Coaching Provider in Tampa Bay
Parents Often Ask
What’s the best age to start ADHD therapy?
The best age to start ADHD therapy is around 4 to 5 years old. At this age, children are taught regulation skills to support them in day-to-day tasks and parents are learning ways to support their children’s symptoms across various environments.
How do I know if my child has ADHD or something else?
ADHD is not mutually exclusive to one environment; the marker for ADHD is that the symptoms present across various environments. For instance a child with inattentive symptoms will present as such at both home and school, and vice versa for hyperactive behaviors.
If my child has ADHD, do I need to put them on medication?
Not necessarily- it is up to the family to decide if their child would benefit from medication and not all children who have ADHD are on medication.
Can therapy help if my child is already on medication?
Yes! It is clinically recommended to engage in therapy services in conjunction to medication management.
Do you coordinate with schools or pediatricians?
Yes! At It Begins Within, our therapists place emphasis on collaborating with other providers to ensure continuity of care and to advocate for our client’s needs.
Therapy Offices Specialized in Treating Childhood ADHD
CHILD ADHD THERAPY – ST. PETERSBURG, FL
Our St. Petersburg child therapists specialize in ADHD and behavioral therapy for children and teens throughout Pinellas County — including Clearwater, Largo, Gulfport, Seminole, and Treasure Island. Using play-based and cognitive-behavioral approaches, our team helps children strengthen focus, emotional regulation, and confidence at home and in school. Parents are guided with practical strategies that bring calm and structure back to daily routines.
CHILD ADHD THERAPY – TAMPA, FL
Located near Westshore and South Tampa, our Tampa ADHD therapy office supports children and families across Hillsborough County, including Hyde Park, Carrollwood, Brandon, and Riverview. Our licensed therapists use evidence-based modalities like CBT, DBT-A, and parent coaching to improve attention, reduce impulsivity, and build self-esteem. Sessions emphasize collaboration between child, family, and therapist—creating long-term success both in academics and emotional development.
CHILD ADHD THERAPY – SARASOTA, FL
At our Sarasota office, we provide compassionate ADHD therapy for children and families in Lakewood Ranch, Palmer Ranch, Siesta Key, and University Park. Our clinicians combine behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and parent-child relationship work (CPRT) to help kids manage big emotions and stay engaged in learning. Families leave with clear, consistent tools to support focus, follow-through, and healthy communication at home.
Schedule Free Consultation
We offer comprehensive mental health services and free consultations for all of our skilled therapists. If you are looking for the top adhd therapist near me, you’ve found the right place.