Adult ADHD Treatment in Massachusetts
Ongoing care for adults with ADHD by secure video, from a psychiatric nurse practitioner who sees you every visit.
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Clinically reviewed by Joseph Lavoie, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC · Last reviewed
The short answer
Adult ADHD treatment in Massachusetts usually combines skills, support for related problems like anxiety or poor sleep, and medication when appropriate. At Journey Psychiatric Care, every visit is by video with the same board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner.
What treating adult ADHD looks like here
ADHD does not end at 18. Many adults find out they have it after years of missed deadlines, lost keys, unfinished projects and the feeling that they work twice as hard to keep up. Treatment is about making daily life easier, not about changing who you are.
Your care is with Joseph Lavoie, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. He is not a physician, and he can diagnose, treat and prescribe in Massachusetts. If you have not been diagnosed yet, start with an ADHD evaluation. This page is about treatment once ADHD is part of the picture, whether you were diagnosed last month or as a child.
Joseph looks at the whole picture. ADHD often shows up alongside anxiety, depression or sleep trouble, and treating only one of them rarely works well.
Medication when appropriate
Stimulant and non-stimulant options exist. Whether medication fits, and which kind, depends on your history, health and goals. You talk through benefits and side effects first.
Skills that fit real life
Practical strategies for planning, time, follow-through and focus, built around your actual work and home routines.
The conditions that come with it
Anxiety, low mood and poor sleep are common with ADHD. They get attention too, because they affect how well ADHD treatment works.
Common signs of ADHD in adults
Adult ADHD can look different from the hyperactive kid stereotype. Restlessness often turns inward. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms fall into inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity, and they have to cause real problems in more than one part of life. Signs adults often describe:
- Starting many tasks and finishing few
- Losing track of time, appointments or bills
- Trouble focusing in meetings or while reading, unless something is very interesting
- Acting or speaking before thinking, interrupting others
- Feeling restless or unable to relax
- Putting off tasks until the last minute, then scrambling
These signs alone do not mean you have ADHD. Anxiety, depression, sleep problems, thyroid issues and substance use can look similar, which is why a careful evaluation comes before treatment. For more, read signs of ADHD in adults.
About ADHD medication
Medication can help many adults with ADHD focus and manage impulses. It is one tool in a treatment plan, and it is not right for everyone. Joseph will go over how each option works, what side effects to watch for, and how you will know if it is helping.
Some ADHD medications are controlled substances. That means extra rules for prescribing, refills and monitoring, and Joseph will explain what applies to you. There are no same-day prescriptions and no promises about a specific medication before your evaluation. For the details of getting ADHD care by video, read ADHD medication by telehealth in Massachusetts.
How care works
- Start with an evaluation. If you are new to the practice, your first visit is a full psychiatric evaluation by video.
- Bring your history. Old report cards, past diagnoses, a list of medications you have tried, and notes from a partner or family member all help.
- Agree on a plan. You and Joseph decide together on skills, treatment for related conditions, and medication when appropriate.
- Regular follow-ups. Check-ins are closer together at first, then spaced out once things are steady.
Insurance
Journey Psychiatric Care is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, Oscar Health, Oxford, Point32Health and UnitedHealthcare. Out-of-network invoices are available. Contact us for current self-pay rates.
Frequently asked questions
Can adults get treated for ADHD for the first time?
Yes. Many adults are first diagnosed in their 20s, 30s or later. If you have never been diagnosed, the first step is an evaluation, which looks at your childhood, your current life and other conditions that can look like ADHD.
Will I be prescribed a stimulant?
Not automatically. Medication is decided after a full evaluation, based on your history, health, other medications and goals. Stimulants, non-stimulants and no medication at all are all possible outcomes. Joseph does prescribe stimulants by telehealth when they are the right fit, following federal and Massachusetts rules.
Can a psychiatric nurse practitioner treat ADHD?
Yes. Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners can diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication in Massachusetts. Joseph Lavoie is a PMHNP-BC, not a psychiatrist, and he handles your evaluation, treatment and follow-up himself.
I was diagnosed as a child. Do I need to start over?
You will still have a new-patient evaluation, because your life and symptoms have changed since then. Bring any old records you have. They help Joseph see how ADHD has shown up for you over time.
Can ADHD be treated by telehealth?
Yes. The evaluation and follow-ups are conversations, and they work well by video. If you ever need an in-person exam, a heart check or lab work, Joseph will tell you and help you set it up locally.
What if I also have anxiety or depression?
That is common. Joseph treats them together, because untreated anxiety or depression can make ADHD treatment less effective. The order and the approach depend on what is causing you the most trouble.
How often are ADHD follow-up visits?
While a plan is new or a medication is being adjusted, visits are usually every few weeks. Once things are steady, they are spaced out. You and Joseph set the schedule together based on how you are doing.
Do you treat ADHD in kids and teens?
Yes. Children and teens are seen with a parent or guardian involved. See child and adolescent psychiatric care for how that works.
Take the next step in your journey.
Same clinician every visit. Telehealth anywhere in Massachusetts.
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