An adult diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) says. "I've always been stupid. I never had friends when I was a child. My parents often punished me because I made mistakes. Now, I can't keep a job." The nurse managing care should consider suggesting what intervention?

A. Vocational counseling to identify needed occupational skills: While this could help with job stability, it does not address the client’s deeply rooted negative self-perceptions, which are the core issue in this statement. B. Aversion therapy to extinguish negative behaviors: Aversion therapy is used mainly for maladaptive behaviors such as addictions or paraphilias. It is not appropriate for addressing low self-esteem and distorted thinking patterns. C. Cognitive therapy to help address negative beliefs: Cognitive therapy focuses on identifying and reframing negative, self-defeating thoughts into more realistic and positive ones. This is most appropriate for a client expressing beliefs of being "stupid" and hopeless. D. Group therapy to allow comparison of feelings with others: Group therapy may provide support, but without first addressing maladaptive cognitions, the client may struggle to engage effectively or benefit from peer feedback.