ADHD Treatment in Willmar, Minnesota
I provide comprehensive ADHD evaluations and treatment for children (ages 4+), adolescents, young adults and adults in Willmar and throughout Minnesota. Treatment includes thorough diagnostic assessments, medication management, and strategies to help you or your child actually function better in daily life.
Whether you're a parent watching your child struggle in school, a teen who can't seem to stay organized no matter how hard you try, or an adult finally realizing why life has always felt harder for you than it seems for everyone else–I’m here to help.
What ADHD Actually Looks Like
ADHD symptoms go way beyond "can't sit still" or "doesn't pay attention." Here's what it often really looks like:
In children:
Forgetting homework even though they just wrote it down
Often making mistakes with schoolwork or rushing through it
Getting distracted easily, or being forgetful
Starting tasks but never finishing them
Losing things constantly–backpacks, books, homework, jackets
Difficulty waiting their turn or interrupting others
Seems to daydream or "zone out" at home, school or during conversations
Often irritable, or may be impulsive at times
Knows what to do but can't seem to make themselves do it
In teens, young adults, and adults:
Chronic procrastination that leads to last-minute panic
Difficulty managing time–everything takes longer than expected
Forgetting appointments, deadlines, or commitments
Starting multiple projects but finishing none
Impulsive decisions that cause problems later
Feeling restless or "on edge" even when sitting still
Struggling to maintain friendships or relationships because of forgetfulness, difficulty finding the right words to say, or impulsivity
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Your brain just works differently, and with the right treatment, your quality of life can improve.
How ADHD Is Diagnosed
ADHD can't be diagnosed with a single test or blood draw. It requires a thorough evaluation that looks at your full history, past and current symptoms and how it is affecting your daily functioning.
For children and teens, I'll talk with the child's caregivers or guardians, the child, and sometimes their Primary Care Physician, teacher or therapist. For young adults, the evaluation focuses on your experience and how ADHD is impacting your life now.
By the end, you'll have a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
What Makes ADHD Treatment Effective
ADHD treatment works best when it's individualized. What helps one person might not help another, and that's normal. Here's how I approach ADHD care:
We start with a thorough evaluation. ADHD often comes with other challenges—symptoms of anxiety, depression, dyslexia or learning disorders, or trauma. Treating ADHD effectively means understanding the full picture.
Medication is tailored to you. There are multiple types of ADHD medications, and finding the right one sometimes takes some trial and adjustment. If you've struggled with medications being effective in the past, I offer psychiatric DNA Gene Sight testing which can help guide mediation management.
You're involved in decisions. You (or your parent/caregiver, if you're a child) know what's working and what's not. If something isn't helping or is causing problems, we'll adjust the plan.
Treatment evolves as you do. A 7-year-old's ADHD needs are different from a 16-year-old's, and a college student's needs are different from someone who has been working in their career for many years or is raising a family or caring for their parents. Your treatment should change as your life changes.
Common Questions About ADHD Treatment
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Yes. ADHD can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 4, though it's important to distinguish ADHD from normal developmental behavior and from other mental health disorders. Many clients who are diagnosed with depression and anxiety may actually be struggling with ADHD and not be aware of this, and it presents as anxiety and depression until their ADHD symptoms are managed effectively. Then the clients Anxiety and Depression symptoms lower significantly and at times are completely gone. A thorough evaluation helps clarify what's happening.
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That's great! Therapy and medication often work best together. I can coordinate with your child's therapist and/or treatment team to ensure we're all on the same page.
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If you've spent your whole life feeling like you're working twice as hard as everyone else just to keep up, that's not a character flaw–that's how it feels to have ADHD. A proper evaluation can provide clarity on your diagnosis.
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Some ADHD medications can temporarily decrease appetite or affect sleep. Some clients have side effects the first day or two or the first week and then they improve or go away. But most side effects can be managed. If they cannot, we will make adjustments as needed.
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I accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, Medica, and TriCare. I also offer sliding scale fees based on income.
For questions about insurance, call my billing department at (218) 999-7750 ext. 2.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
You don't have to keep struggling. ADHD is treatable, and with the right support, you or your child can thrive.
I offer both in-person appointments at my office in Willmar and secure telehealth appointments throughout Minnesota.
Call 218-999-7750 to schedule your psychiatric ADHD evaluation today. Ask to be scheduled with Steffanie Smith.
Steffanie Smith, APRN, MSN, PMHNP-BC, provides comprehensive ADHD evaluations and treatment for children, teens, and young adults in Willmar, Minnesota. With expertise in diagnosing and treating ADHD, Steffanie offers medication management, skill-building strategies, and support for school accommodations. Accepting most insurance plans with both telehealth and in-person appointments available.