Expert ADHD Therapy for Women: What You Need to Know

If you're a woman grappling with ADHD, AUDHD (Autistic traits with ADHD), and/or anxiety, you might feel like you're swimming upstream in a world designed for neurotypical people. But here’s the truth: you’re not alone; there’s help tailored specifically for you. I’m here to offer that support—compassionate, practical, and deeply understanding of the unique experiences women like you face.

Why Is This Important?

ADHD in women often goes unrecognized until later in life, as traditional diagnostic criteria were historically based on male presentations of the disorder. Many women find themselves diagnosed in adulthood, already carrying the weight of burnout, masking behaviors, and self-doubt. Therapy tailored specifically for women with ADHD addresses these challenges directly, helping you understand yourself better and find strategies that work.

What You Need to Know About My Therapy Approach

• Specialized Support: My therapy is focused on the needs of women with ADHD, anxiety, and AUDHD, particularly those who have been navigating these conditions without guidance for years.

• Tailored to Women’s Experiences: Many therapeutic methods overlook the societal pressures and learned behaviors (like masking) that complicate ADHD in women. My approach considers these nuances.

• Evidence-Based Yet Holistic: While I was traditionally trained in "evidence-based" methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I now prioritize a holistic understanding of how relationships, environment, and even spirituality impact mental health. CBT is often not the preference for neurodivergent women. Therapy must be tailored to your experience, on your terms, and led by you.I now use a therapeutic model emphasizing self-compassion, self-advocacy, self-awareness, self-care, and self-accommodations. This approach is designed to help you build trust in yourself as you navigate a world that often feels overwhelming or unaccommodating.By focusing on these core pillars, we’ll work together to:
  • Cultivate self-compassion, replacing self-criticism with understanding and kindness.
  • Develop self-advocacy skills, empowering you to set boundaries and express your needs effectively.
  • Strengthen self-awareness, helping you recognize your patterns, triggers, and strengths.
  • Prioritize self-care, creating habits and routines that nurture your mental and physical well-being.
  • Build personalized self-accommodations, enabling you to design a life that aligns with your values and unique needs.

  This model encourages trust in one's abilities and intuition, providing a foundation for navigating life's complexities with confidence and authenticity.

What Makes ADHD Different for Women?

ADHD manifests differently in women due to a combination of biological and societal factors, creating unique challenges that are often overlooked.

• Late Diagnosis: Many women don’t realize they have ADHD until adulthood. For years, they may have been mislabeled as disorganized, lazy, or overly emotional. This delay in diagnosis can leave them feeling isolated and misunderstood.

• Masking Behaviors: To fit societal expectations, many women unconsciously develop coping mechanisms to hide their ADHD symptoms. This "masking" often leads to exhaustion, identity struggles, and a disconnect from their authentic selves.

• Hormonal Influences: Estrogen, a hormone that mediates dopamine (essential for mood, focus, and emotional regulation), fluctuates during hormonal transitions and the menstrual cycle. These changes can worsen ADHD symptoms, particularly during puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. Many women notice heightened challenges with executive function and mood regulation, yet these dynamics are frequently overlooked in ADHD treatment.

• Burnout: The relentless effort to meet unrealistic expectations—both societal and self-imposed—can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. Women with ADHD are often trapped in a cycle of overcompensation and guilt, which takes a significant toll on their mental and physical health.

Acknowledging these interconnected factors is essential for providing effective support and empowering women to navigate their ADHD authentically.

Why Therapy Matters

Therapy isn’t just about addressing symptoms—it’s about uncovering your authentic self and giving you tools to thrive. Here's what therapy with me focuses on:

• Reframing Your Perspective: It’s not you who’s broken—it’s the systems around you. Understanding this helps replace self-blame with self-compassion.

• Embracing Strengths: ADHD often  comes with unique gifts, such as creativity, hyperfocus, and problem-solving skills. Together, we can identify and harness them.

• Self-Compassion and Advocacy: The key to finding peace is learning to set boundaries and advocate for yourself in a world that doesn’t always understand.

What You Can Expect from Therapy

Therapy with me is a partnership. Together, we work to:

• Unmask: Let go of masking behaviors and explore who you truly are beneath societal expectations.

• Reduce Stress: Develop strategies that make everyday life more manageable, from setting priorities to building routines that work for you.

• Heal from Shame: Break free from the shame and guilt that can accompany a late ADHD diagnosis.

Beyond Traditional Therapy

Over the years, I’ve seen that the traditional medical model pathologizes and harms ADHD and neurodivergent people. That’s why I incorporate broader elements into my therapy:

• Mind-Body Connection: Understanding how mental health affects physical health and vice versa.

• Environmental Influences: Exploring how your surroundings and relationships impact your emotional well-being.

• Spiritual and Nature-Based Practices: Many women find grounding and healing through mindfulness, spirituality, or connecting with nature and animals.

Supporting You Beyond Sessions

In addition to one-on-one therapy, I’ve created a wealth of resources designed to empower you:

• Accessible Knowledge Base: My website contains articles and tools to help you understand ADHD and related challenges.

• Searchable Topics: Looking for specific advice? Use the search bar to explore hundreds of pages of guidance.

• Ongoing Guidance: Whether in individual or group sessions, my goal is to be a consistent source of support for your journey.

Final Thoughts

Living with ADHD or AUDHD in a neurotypically designed world isn’t easy, but it’s possible to find balance and joy. With the right tools and support, you can live authentically and unapologetically, embracing your unique strengths.

If you’re ready to take the next step, reach out. Together, we’ll navigate the challenges, celebrate the wins, and uncover the incredible person you already are.

Let’s begin your journey to a life of less stress and more self-compassion.