Counseling For ADHD
Talk With Someone Who Gets It
Don’t let ADHD hold you back from living your best life. Help your neurodivergent mind learn to thrive in a neurotypical world.
Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed or have known about your ADHD for years, this guided approach to treatment will help you gain practical tools for success.
From time management techniques to organization strategies, I can provide you with actionable steps to help improve focus, boost productivity, and take control of daily challenges.
You Do Not Need An Official ADHD Diagnosis To Get Counseling for ADHD
Not sure if you have ADHD?
Know you have ADHD but don’t have the clinical diagnosis?
Don’t have the money or time to get an assessment?
Don’t let that stop you from getting help with the ADHD experience.
Counseling for ADHD does not require proof that you have it.
An assessment for ADHD can provide clarity and pave the way to qualifying for medication and education accommodations.
However, since the counseling I provide does not involve medication, no clinical diagnosis is necessary.
Here’s What You Get
Talk with someone who understands the common struggles of living with ADHD.
Receive a personalized evaluation* identifying your specific needs and challenges.
Learn new concepts and techniques to help your neurodivergent brain work most effectively in the neurotypical parts of your world.
*Personalized Evaluation is not the same as a diagnosis.
Benefits of Treatment
Learn how to manage your symptoms
Develop healthy coping skills
Set goals and follow through
Improve time management
Build better relationships
Improve your self-esteem and confidence
Seeking An ADHD Diagnosis?
Click Here for More Info
You can be certain you’ll get realistic, down-to-earth explanations and skills in every session because…
I have ADHD, too.
So, while I can’t claim to know exactly what your experience of ADHD is like, I do have a thorough firsthand understanding of how challenging it can be to live with ADHD long-term, as well as the day-to-day issues that can arise.
I know how hard it is just to search for a therapist, schedule an appointment, complete paperwork, and then show up for the first session. It’s a process that can set you up for procrastination, distraction, frustration, and lack of motivation.
If that sounds like you, you probably recognize how crucial it is to take action now, while you’re motivated…(or risk putting this off for another few months).
Therefore, if you feel you may be struggling with the challenges of ADHD, I encourage you to take the first step by setting up a free phone consult so we can figure out if counseling is right for you.
Living With ADHD Can Be A Daily Struggle
It can feel like you’re fighting against your own mind just trying to function as well as those around you.
There’s more to it than just trouble paying attention. Untreated ADHD can make you less effective at work, with your kids, and in your relationship & friendships.
Give yourself some credit for the challenges you’ve faced so far and for your efforts to have a happy, fulfilling life. It hasn’t been easy, but somehow you made it to this point. And, in spite of the challenges of being distracted by so many other things on the internet, you’ve somehow made it this far in your search for help with your ADHD.
Start with a Personalized Evaluation
to Identify Your Specific Needs
You don’t need an official ADHD diagnosis in order to get counseling & coaching.
You can work on addressing the ADHD challenges in your daily life, even if you don’t have an official ADHD diagnosis.
Your Personalized Evaluation will include the Brown EF/A Scales & the BRIEF-A, which are clinical questionnaires that help identify which executive functions are most challenging for you.
Note: Graphs shown are samples only, not actual client results.
What Are Executive Functions?
Executive Functions are a set of thinking skills that allow us to plan, organize, and complete tasks (in ways often required by mainstream neurotypical workplaces and schools). Executive Functions include skills such as:
Attention: The ability to focus on a task and ignore distractions.
Working memory: The ability to hold information in mind and manipulate it.
Planning: The ability to develop a plan and carry it out.
Organization: The ability to keep track of things and stay on track.
Problem-solving: The ability to identify and solve problems.
Pricing
Each 55-minute session costs $135.
Your credit/debit card will be charged $135 at the time of each session.
There is no need to pay for everything ahead of time or all at once.
In order to take the BRIEF-A & Brown EF/A, we’ll have to meet for at least one introductory session and one follow-up session.
Besides the fees for those 2 sessions, there is no additional cost to take the BRIEF-A & Brown EF/A assessments.
Additional sessions (3rd session and beyond) can focus on learning skills/techniques to target the Executive Function areas identified in the two assessments.
Each skills/techniques session costs $135.
Useful ADHD Concepts
NEUROTYPICAL & NEURODIVERGENT
These terms are used to describe the different ways that people's brains work.
Neurotypical refers to people who think and process information in ways that are “typical” within their culture. They tend to learn skills and reach developmental milestones around the same time as their peers.
Neurodivergent describes someone who processes information in a different way. People with ADHD and similar conditions sometimes identify as neurodivergent.
Neurodiversity is used to describe the diversity of human minds, and to argue that neurological differences should be seen as normal variations, rather than as disorders.
The Neurodiversity Movement advocates for the rights of neurodivergent people, and for the creation of a more inclusive society.
It is important to remember that neurotypical and neurodivergent are not mutually exclusive categories. There are many people who fall somewhere in between, and who may have both neurotypical and neurodivergent traits.
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS
A set of thinking skills that allow us to plan, organize, and execute tasks. They are essential for our ability to think ahead, make decisions, and solve problems.
While there is no single agreed-upon list of executive functions, here are some common examples:
Planning and prioritizing: The ability to break down a large task into smaller, more manageable steps, and to determine which steps should be completed first.
Time management: The ability to estimate how long a task will take, and to stay on track to meet deadlines.
Organization: The ability to keep track of belongings and information, and to set up systems and routines to help stay organized.
Working memory: The ability to hold information in mind for a short period of time, and to use that information to complete a task.
Self-monitoring: The ability to be aware of one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and to make adjustments as needed.
Flexibility: The ability to adapt to change, and to be able to think outside the box when solving problems.
Executive functions help us be productive, organized, and successful. Here are some examples of how executive functions are used in everyday life:
When you are working on a project, you use executive functions to set goals, break down the project into smaller tasks, and stay focused on the task at hand.
When you are driving, you use executive functions to pay attention to the road, follow directions, and make decisions about when to change lanes or turn.
When you are trying to solve a problem, you use executive functions to gather information, generate possible solutions, and evaluate the solutions.
ADD vs. ADHD
In the past, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) were considered to be separate. The main difference between ADD and ADHD was the presence or absence of hyperactivity. However, they are now considered to be different presentations of the same underlying condition, which all falls under the official diagnosis of ADHD. An official, clinical diagnosis of ADHD will most likely be one of the following three types:
Predominantly inattentive presentation
Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation
Combined presentation
IS ADHD A GIFT / SUPERPOWER?
Whether or not ADHD is a gift or superpower is a matter of perspective. Some people with ADHD may find that their symptoms give them certain advantages, such as creativity and hyperfocus. Others may find that their symptoms make it difficult to function in everyday life. For most people, it’s probably a combination of both—ADHD brings some advantages and some disadvantages.
Some potential benefits of ADHD:
Creativity: People with ADHD are often very creative. They may be able to see the world in new and different ways, and they may be able to come up with creative solutions to problems.
Hyperfocus: People with ADHD can sometimes hyperfocus on a task, which can allow them to work on something for hours without getting distracted. This can be a great asset in certain situations, such as when working on a creative project or studying for an exam.
Some potential challenges associated with ADHD:
Difficulty paying attention: People with ADHD may have difficulty paying attention to details, following instructions, and staying on task. This can make it difficult to succeed in school or at work.
Impulsivity: People with ADHD may act on impulse without thinking about the consequences. This can lead to problems in relationships, at work, and in school.
Disorganization: People with ADHD may be disorganized and forgetful at times. This can make it difficult to keep track of things and to meet deadlines.
Keep in mind that ADHD symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people with ADHD may experience only a few mild symptoms, while others may experience more severe symptoms that significantly impact their lives.
IS ADHD CAUSED BY TRAUMA?
ADHD is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It is not caused by any single event or experience, and it isn’t caused by trauma. Not everyone with ADHD has experienced trauma, and not everyone who experiences trauma will develop ADHD.
Trauma can affect the brain in a number of ways, including by altering the way that the brain processes information and responds to stress. This can lead to symptoms that are similar to ADHD, such as difficulty paying attention, poor impulse control, and hyperactivity.
IS THERE A CURE FOR ADHD?
ADHD is not a curable condition, but it can be managed with treatment. If certain symptoms appear to go away over time, this is most likely due to improved skills and coping mechanisms.
Resources To Help With ADHD
ADDA - Attention Deficit Disorder Association
ADDA is a reliable and helpful source of information on ADHD. This link will take you to their page specifically about ADHD in Adults: Symptoms, Challenges, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
ADHD & Marriage
Melissa Orlov is the author of several books written from the perspective of a non-ADHD wife (herself) living with an ADHD-husband. I highly recommend her book The ADHD Effect on Marriage, and her website also contains many other useful resources.
Taking Charge of Adult ADHD
Russell Barkley is one of the world’s leading experts on ADHD. This book is formatted to be ADHD-reader-friendly—short paragraphs, lots of bullet points/lists, and does not need to be read from front to back in order to benefit from it. Also available on Audible.
How To ADHD
Jessica McCabe’s short videos about adult ADHD are perhaps the most relatable, down-to-earth explanations out there. While she does have a website, her YouTube videos are truly some of the best resources available.
ADDitude Magazine
All content is free—you don’t need to subscribe or pay in order to access the info on this site. An absolute treasure trove of info on all things ADHD.