ADHD SUPPORT
IN DOVER, NH
This isn’t your traditional therapy session.
Music therapy, art therapy and counseling for kids, teens and adults with ADHD, built around the energy, creativity and curiosity that come with an ADHD brain, to support focus, regulation, confidence and connection. Offered in Dover, NH, throughout the Seacoast, and in the home when appropriate.
Support That Works With How They Think
Understand big feelings and find words for them
Find calm and focus when energy runs high
Turn energy and creativity into confidence
When Your Child’s Brain Moves Faster Than the World Around Them
Are you noticing that your child has a hard time sitting still in class, loses track of what they were doing halfway through, or melts down over homework after a long day of trying to keep up? Do they feel things intensely, hear “slow down” and “pay attention” more than anything else, and sometimes wonder out loud why things seem harder for them than for everyone else?
You’re not alone, and none of this means your child isn’t trying or that you’re doing something wrong as a parent. ADHD brains are wired for interest, movement and novelty, and so much of school and daily life is built for the opposite, which can leave kids feeling frustrated, misunderstood and worn out.
At The Sonatina Center, our therapists start with what lights your child up. Music, rhythm and art naturally hold attention and engage the body, so sessions become a place to build focus, emotional regulation and confidence in a way that works with how your child thinks.
If you’re wondering whether music therapy, art therapy or counseling is the right fit, we’re happy to talk it through during your free call.
Does This
Sound Familiar?
Every person with ADHD is different, but these are some of the things families tell us about most often:
Trouble starting or finishing tasks, even ones they care about
Big emotions that show up fast and feel hard to come down from
Constant movement, fidgeting or needing to be on the go
Losing track of time, belongings or what they were just doing
Homework battles and frustration after a long school day
Feeling “different” or hearing more corrections than encouragement
Hyperfocusing for hours on the things they love
Creative, curious and full of ideas that come faster than words
If a few of these feel familiar, a free call is a good place to start.
How We Help
MUSIC THERAPY
Rhythm, drumming and songwriting give an ADHD brain the movement and novelty it craves, while building focus, impulse control and emotional regulation through play.
ART THERAPY
Drawing, painting and sculpting give busy hands something to do and busy minds a way to slow down, building patience, self-expression and confidence along the way.
COUNSELING
Our counselors can screen for ADHD and help kids, teens and adults understand how their brains work, build coping skills for big emotions, and find strategies for school and life.
FAMILY SUPPORT
We share goals with you, include you in sessions when it helps, and give you practical strategies for homework, routines and regulation at home and everywhere in between.
ADHD Support Can Help With…
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Support can help when getting started, staying on track or finishing tasks feels harder than it should, even for things your child cares about.
Our therapists use rhythm, movement and hands-on activities to build focus in short, engaging bursts, and help your child find strategies that fit how their brain works.
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Support can help when big feelings show up fast and are hard to come down from, whether that looks like frustration, tears or shutting down.
Our therapists help your child notice what their body is telling them and build calming tools, often through breathing, rhythm and movement, they can use at home and at school.
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Support can help when your child acts before they think, interrupts often, or has a hard time waiting their turn.
Through music games, turn-taking and play, our therapists help your child practice pausing and making choices in a way that feels fun, not like a lecture.
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Support can help with planning, organizing, managing time and keeping track of belongings and responsibilities.
Our therapists use songs, visual supports and simple routines to break tasks into steps and build systems that work for your child, at home and at school.
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Support can help when your child hears more corrections than encouragement and starts to believe they’re “bad” at things.
Our therapists focus on what your child does well, helping them see their creativity, energy and curiosity as strengths and build confidence in who they are.
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Support can help when friendships feel tricky, conversations get interrupted, or your child feels left out.
Our therapists use shared music-making and group activities to practice listening, turn-taking and connecting with others in a way that feels natural.
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Support can help when homework turns into a battle, school feels overwhelming, or your child comes home exhausted from trying to keep up.
Our therapists work with your child and family on strategies for focus, organization and stress, and can coordinate with teachers when it helps.
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Support can help when worry and ADHD show up together, like fear of falling behind, getting in trouble or making mistakes.
Our therapists help your child understand their anxiety and build coping skills using music, art and counseling.
Meet Our ADHD Support Team
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![Elisha Rivera, MT-BC]()
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![Cacia King Herlihy - Music Therapist]()
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![Kathryn Coolidge - Mental Health Counselor]()
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![Shannon Lyons, music therapist working with children, teens and adults at The Sonatina Center]()
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![Kat Sturdevant - Art Therapist]()
Kat Sturdevant, CMHC, ATR
(She/Her)
Candidate for Mental Health Counseling License
Art Therapist
New Hampshire
Getting Started is Free
Every new client starts with a free 20-minute phone call. Our Intake Coordinator will walk you through our process and policies and learn a little about your child or loved one, so together you can decide whether music therapy, art therapy, or counseling is the best fit. It’s also a chance to ask any questions you have before getting started.
WHERE: Sessions take place at The Sonatina Center in Dover, NH, and in the home when appropriate, with music therapy, art therapy and counseling for kids, teens and adults with ADHD.
YOUR FIRST VISIT: A 60-minute intake session where your therapist gets to know your child, including their interests, strengths and the situations that feel hardest, completes an initial assessment, and sets goals with you. For younger children, this may be split into an in-person session and a 30-minute phone call with you.
CHECKING IN: We review progress and goals with you every 90 days, or sooner if needed.
INVESTMENT: Rates vary by service and are reviewed each year, and you’ll always hear about any changes ahead of time. View our current service rates here.
What To Expect
Scholarships & Accessibility
Free Sessions for BIPOC Clients
The Sonatina Center is committed to bridging the gap of accessibility for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community. We offer free individual music therapy, art therapy, and counseling sessions to BIPOC clients. We have 6 scholarship spots available at a time, and we keep a waiting list when they’re full. Please contact us for more information.
Using Your Insurance Benefits
Depending on your plan, you may be able to get part of the cost of sessions reimbursed through your out-of-network benefits. We provide a monthly superbill with the CPT codes and provider information your insurance company needs, so you can submit it directly. As a private-pay practice, we’re happy to walk you through how this works during your free call.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. Many families reach out while they’re still wondering whether it’s ADHD, waiting on an evaluation, or just looking for support. We work with each person based on their needs and strengths, with or without a diagnosis.
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Yes. Our counselors can screen for ADHD and talk through the results with you. If a full evaluation would be helpful, we’ll help you figure out next steps.
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Yes. Many families we work with also see a pediatrician, psychiatrist, or speech or occupational therapist. With your permission, we’re happy to coordinate with your child’s other providers so everyone is working toward the same goals.
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Yes. We set goals with you from the first visit, check in on progress every 90 days, and share strategies you can use at home.
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No. Sessions are built around your child’s interests and abilities, and no experience is needed.
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Yes. We offer sessions at our Dover office and in the home when appropriate.
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We’re a private-pay practice, and we provide a monthly superbill you can submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Ready To Take The First Step?
Your free 20-minute call is a chance to share what’s going on and ask any questions, with no pressure to commit.
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