Unlocking the Power of Cognitive Training: Supporting Mental Health, ADHD, Depression, and Age-Related Cognitive Decline

At Complex Minds Psychology, we are passionate about helping individuals thrive, whether they're navigating the challenges of ADHD, managing depression, or noticing age-related cognitive decline. One powerful tool we are using more than ever with our clients is cognitive training.

Cognitive training, also called brain training or cognitive remediation therapy, involves structured exercises and strategies designed to strengthen key brain functions like memory, attention, processing speed, and problem-solving. At Complex Minds, we’re increasingly integrating these evidence-based techniques into our therapy plans, and we’re seeing promising outcomes for people of all ages.

What Is Cognitive Training?

Cognitive training is a mental workout for your brain. Just like physical exercise improves muscle strength and cardiovascular health, cognitive exercises are designed to improve the brain's functioning. These training programs can be tailored to each person’s specific needs and goals.

The Benefits of Cognitive Training for Mental Health

1. Improved Attention and Focus

   Many individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, or trauma-related disorders report difficulty concentrating or remembering things. Cognitive training targets these challenges directly, helping individuals build stronger focus and more mental clarity. Research is highly promising and shows that cognitive training can assist in improving depression (Socialia et al., 2022).

   
   

2. Increased Emotional Regulation

   Strengthening executive function (the brain’s ability to plan, regulate emotions, and control impulses) can lead to better decision-making, reduced emotional reactivity, and greater resilience (Long et al., 2020).

   
   

3. Enhanced Self-Efficacy

   As individuals see measurable improvements in cognitive skills, they often report feeling more confident in their abilities, both personally and professionally.

   
   

Cognitive Training for ADHD

ADHD is associated with difficulties in sustained attention, working memory, impulse control, and organisation. At Complex Minds, we implement targeted cognitive training for ADHD to help neurodivergent clients:

• Improve attention span

• Enhance working memory

• Strengthen planning and organisational skills

• Develop better impulse control

Used alongside behavioural strategies and psychological therapy, cognitive training can be a game-changer for individuals with ADHD.

Supporting Age-Specific Cognitive Performance

It’s natural for certain cognitive abilities, like memory or processing speed, to slow with age. But cognitive decline doesn’t have to mean cognitive failure. Research shows that regular, structured brain training can improve cognitive performance (Butler et al., 2018):

• Improve memory retention

• Boost mental agility

• Maintain independence and quality of life

At Complex Minds Psychology, we work with older adults to develop cognitive enhancement programs that are engaging, age-appropriate, and designed to keep the brain sharp and functioning well.

Cognitive Training and Depression

Depression often affects the brain’s ability to think clearly, concentrate, and make decisions. Many individuals feel like they're in a fog or that their brain just isn’t working the way it used to. Cognitive training helps:

• Combat mental sluggishness

• Improve cognitive flexibility

• Support memory capacity and motivation

• Complement therapy for depression and other mood disorders

When integrated into a broader treatment plan, cognitive training can be a powerful tool for getting individuals back to functioning at their best (Socialia et al., 2022).

Why We Use Cognitive Training at Complex Minds Psychology

At Complex Minds, we are always looking for evidence-based, client-centred strategies that make a real difference. Cognitive training is one of the tools we’ve found very useful in helping people move forward, whether they’re managing ADHD, recovering from depression, noticing early signs of memory loss, or simply wanting to boost their brain performance.

We are currently implementing cognitive training across a wide range of clients, with tailored programs that integrate seamlessly into therapy. We, as psychologists, use these tools to help unlock each client’s potential and improve daily functioning.

Looking for Cognitive Training in Sydney?

If you're based in Sydney or anywhere in Australia, Anica Spatz, the Principal Psychologist at Complex Minds, offers online and in-person cognitive training as part of her psychological services. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your child, or an ageing parent, she is here to help.

References:

Butler, M., McCreedy, E., Nelson, V. A., Desai, P., Ratner, E., Fink, H. A., Hemmy, L. S., McCarten, J. R., Barclay, T. R., Brasure, M., Davila, H., & Kane, R. L. (2018). Does Cognitive Training Prevent Cognitive Decline?: A Systematic Review. Annals of internal medicine, 168(1), 63–68. https://doi.org/10.7326/M17-1531

Long, Q., Hu, N., Li, H., Zhang, Y., Yuan, J., & Chen, A. (2020). Suggestion of cognitive enhancement improves emotion regulation. Emotion (Washington, D.C.), 20(5), 866–873. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000629

Sociali, A., Borgi, M., Pettorruso, M., Di Carlo, F., Di Natale, C., Tambelli, A., Alessi, M. C., Ciavoni, L., Mosca, A., Miuli, A., Sensi, S. L., Martinotti, G., Zoratto, F., & Di Giannantonio, M. (2022). What role for cognitive remediation in the treatment of depressive symptoms? A superiority and noninferiority meta-analysis for clinicians. Depression and anxiety, 39(7), 586–606. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23263