This presentation aims to share results from a clinical trial piloting a mindfulness-based therapy to support adults with ADHD and depression and/or anxiety. It also invites attendees to consider what might encourage or hinder them from introducing different kinds of meditation practices with their clients living with ADHD.

There is growing evidence to support mindfulness-based interventions for adults with ADHD (Kim et al., 2025; Kretschmer et al. 2022); however, more research into mindfulness for adults with ADHD is required. This study trialled Mindfulness-Integrated Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (MiCBT), which has been found to help adults with chronic conditions (Cayoun et al., 2020; Pouyanfard et al., 2020) but had not yet been trialled within the ADHD community.

This study tested feasibility and acceptability of MiCBT for this population as well as potential efficacy to reduce depression and anxiety, and to increase emotion regulation, executive functioning, equanimity, and mindfulness. The trial followed the manualised protocol for MiCBT (Cayoun et al., 2018), with minor modifications as agreed by Dr. Cayoun.

MiCBT aims to develop emotion recognition and non-reactivity by supporting clients to practise daily body scanning techniques from the Buddhist Vipassana tradition. As these meditations advance and interoceptive awareness increases, the therapy integrates traditional CBT components, mainly: understanding the relationship between thoughts, feelings / sensations, and responses; exposure therapy; and support with inter-personal communication skills.

The findings from this survey paint a complex picture of how mindfulness may help adults with ADHD, with evidence that it can be both extremely helpful and extremely challenging for this community. This presentation will discuss the many significant and promising results, both quantitatively and qualitatively. It will also reflect on what appeared to be barriers for some, both in terms of participants who found difficulty with daily practice and the significant difficulty observed in recruitment. Additionally, it will discuss factors which may mediate the effect of the practice on outcomes measured, including interoception, self-efficacy, self-compassion, and group cohesion / social acceptance.

Finally, the presentation will consider implications of the research for our professional practice, as well as our evolving understanding of ADHD. I will offer my professional reflections as the therapist, and invite attendees to reflect on their own beliefs and assumptions about meditation and the ADHD mind, remembering there is great diversity within our ADHD clients, friends, and colleagues.