Helping Children, Teens, and Young Adults Thrive with ADHD & Executive Functioning Challenges
ADHD and executive functioning challenges affect much more than attention. They can make it difficult to stay organized, manage emotions, complete responsibilities, and navigate the demands of everyday life.
Through practical, evidence-based treatment, I'll help your child build the skills and confidence needed to thrive at home, at school, and beyond.
Serving youth ages 5–25.
Complimentary • 20-minute phone consultation • No obligation
OCD Can Affect Much More Than Worries or Rituals
Who I Work With
Ages 5–25
Children • Teens • Young Adults
Treatment Approach
Behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral parent training, executive functioning interventions, and school collaboration.
Parent Involvement
Treatment changes as children grow. Younger children typically benefit from parent-focused treatment after the initial assessment, while teens and young adults usually participate in individual therapy with regular parent involvement.
Therapy Options
In-Person
In-home and community-based therapy throughout Philadelphia's Main Line and surrounding suburbs.
Telehealth
Secure online therapy throughout Pennsylvania and PSYPACT participating states where I am authorized to practice.
(check if your state participates in PSYPACT here)
Complimentary Phone Consultation
20-minute phone call
Speak directly with Dr. Fiona Macphee
Discuss your concerns and determine whether my approach is the right fit.
On This Page
Understanding ADHD & Executive Functioning
ADHD & Executive Functioning Are About More Than Attention
When people hear "ADHD," they often think of difficulty paying attention or sitting still. In reality, ADHD affects a group of brain skills known as executive functioning—the skills that help us organize, plan, manage time, regulate emotions, remember important information, and consistently follow through on everyday responsibilities.
As a result, everyday life can feel much harder than it should. Getting ready for school, keeping track of assignments, participating in extracurricular activities, maintaining friendships, managing responsibilities at home, or staying organized for college often requires significantly more effort.
Parents frequently tell me they've tried reminders, consequences, reward systems, planners, and countless conversations, yet the same struggles continue.
This doesn't mean your child isn't trying—it means they may need strategies designed for the way an ADHD brain works.
ADHD isn't a problem of knowing what to do—it's a problem of consistently being able to do it.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
New York University • Child Mind Institute • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center • Florida International University • University of Washington • Seattle Children's Hospital
PSYPACT Authorized
Meet Dr. Fiona Macphee
For more than 15 years, I've worked with children, adolescents, and young adults with ADHD and executive functioning challenges across outpatient clinics, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, and intensive summer treatment programs.
During graduate school, I was mentored by a nationally recognized leader in ADHD treatment and research, shaping the evidence-based, practical, and collaborative approach I use with families today. Read a a New York Times article about my mentor's legacy here: William Pelham, PhD: Who Rethought ADHD Treatment.
One of the foundations of my work with younger children is behavioral parent training, one of the most well-supported treatments for childhood ADHD. I also work closely with schools and other providers to help create consistent support across home, school, and the community.
My goal is to help children, teens, and young adults build practical skills that improve daily functioning, increase independence, and support long-term success.
✓ 15+ Years Treating ADHD
✓ Behavioral Parent Training
✓ School & 504/IEP Collaboration
✓ Psychological Evaluations
ADHD & Executive Functioning Can Affect Every Part of Daily Life
Every child experiences ADHD differently. Some struggle primarily with attention and organization, while others have more difficulty with impulsivity, emotional regulation, or managing everyday responsibilities.
Common challenges include:
✓ Homework battles
✓ Difficulty getting started on tasks
✓ Forgetting assignments or responsibilities
✓ Poor organization
✓ Losing important items
✓ Emotional outbursts or frustration
✓ Trouble following multi-step directions
✓ Difficulty managing time
✓ Procrastination
✓ Difficulty breaking larger assignments into manageable steps
✓ Trouble balancing school, extracurricular activities, work, and other responsibilities
✓ Declining confidence after repeated struggles
Over time, these challenges can affect school performance, extracurricular activities, friendships, family relationships, and a child's confidence in their own abilities.
Treatment Changes as Children Grow
Young Children
(approximately ages 5–12)
Who Participates
Treatment begins with several sessions involving both you and your child so I can better understand your child's strengths, developmental history, current challenges, and how ADHD is affecting everyday life.
After the initial assessment, treatment typically shifts to working primarily with parents, since parents are the people best positioned to help children practice new skills throughout the week.
What We'll Focus On
• Building effective daily routines
• Reducing power struggles
• Encouraging independence
• Managing emotional outbursts
• Strengthening positive behaviors
• Supporting executive functioning at home
Children periodically rejoin sessions as needed to assess progress, practice skills, or address new challenges.
Teens
(approximately ages 13–17)
Who Participates
Therapy is conducted primarily with the teen while parents remain actively involved.
Throughout treatment I typically schedule parent-only meetings to review progress, problem-solve challenges, and adjust strategies at home.
Parents also frequently join the last few minutes of sessions so we can review that week's home practice plan and discuss how to best support new skills between appointments.
What We'll Focus On
• Executive functioning
• Organization
• Planning
• Homework and studying
• Time management
• Emotional regulation
• Building increasing independence
Young Adults
(college students & young adults)
Who Participates
Treatment is primarily conducted with the young adult while parents remain involved when appropriate and with the client's permission.
Parents are often aware of the overall treatment plan and may collaborate in supporting increasing independence, particularly during the transition to college or adulthood.
What We'll Focus On
• Executive functioning
• College success
• Organization
• Time management
• Independent living
• Work responsibilities
• Emotional regulation
School Collaboration
ADHD affects much more than what happens during therapy sessions. When appropriate, I collaborate directly with teachers and school staff to help create consistent support across settings.
This may include:
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Teacher consultations
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Parent-teacher conferences
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Classroom strategy planning
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Attendance at 504 Plan meetings
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Attendance at IEP meetings
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Recommendations for classroom accommodations
The goal is to help home, school, and therapy work together toward the same goals.
Psychological Evaluations
Every new client begins with a comprehensive diagnostic interview to better understand current concerns and clarify the diagnostic picture.
When additional information is needed, I also provide formal psychological evaluations that include standardized testing and a written report to help answer diagnostic questions, guide treatment planning, and provide recommendations for schools and other providers. Read more here.
Extended & Intensive Support
Some children and adolescents benefit from longer sessions or more intensive support when ADHD or executive functioning challenges are significantly interfering with everyday life.
Extended sessions provide additional time for parent training, executive functioning interventions, school collaboration, or addressing more complex behavioral concerns.
When appropriate, intensive services may also include school observations, meetings with educators, in-home sessions, and coordinated care across multiple settings to support meaningful change where it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an ADHD diagnosis before contacting you?
Not at all.
Some families contact me after their child has already been diagnosed, while others simply notice ongoing struggles with attention, organization, emotional regulation, or executive functioning and aren't sure why.
Every new client begins with a comprehensive diagnostic interview to better understand current concerns and clarify the diagnostic picture. When appropriate, I also provide formal psychological evaluations that include a written report.
Will parents be involved in treatment?
Yes, although parent involvement changes as children grow.
For younger children, treatment typically becomes parent-focused after the initial assessment because parents are in the best position to help children practice new skills between sessions.
For teens and young adults, therapy is usually conducted primarily with the client while parents remain involved through parent meetings, collaboration, and treatment planning when appropriate.
Do you provide online therapy?
Yes.
I provide secure telehealth throughout Pennsylvania and in PSYPACT participating states where I am authorized to practice.
For families in Philadelphia's Main Line and surrounding suburbs, treatment may also include real-world sessions at home, school, or in the community when clinically appropriate.
Do you prescribe medication?
No.
As a licensed psychologist, I don't prescribe medication.
When medication may be beneficial, I'm happy to collaborate with your child's pediatrician or psychiatrist to coordinate care.
What happens during the complimentary phone consultation?
During our 20-minute phone call, we'll discuss the concerns that brought you here, answer your initial questions, and determine whether my practice is the right fit for your family.
If it seems like a good match, we'll talk about the next steps for scheduling an intake evaluation.
Do you work with schools?
Yes.
When appropriate, I collaborate with teachers and school staff to help create consistent support across settings.
This may include teacher consultations, parent-teacher conferences, classroom recommendations, and attendance at 504 Plan or IEP meetings.
Do you accept insurance?
I am an out-of-network provider.
Payment is due at the time of each session, and I provide a superbill that families may submit to their insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Read more here.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether your child has recently been diagnosed with ADHD, has been struggling with organization and executive functioning for years, or you're simply trying to better understand what's contributing to the challenges you're seeing, a complimentary consultation is an opportunity to discuss your concerns and determine the most appropriate next steps.
During the call, we'll talk about what's been happening, answer any questions you have, and decide whether my practice is the right fit for your family.
20-minute phone consultation
Looking for help with OCD, anxiety, emotional outbursts, or executive functioning? Explore my other specialty areas.