Thriving with ADHD: Why Therapy Makes All the Difference
What is ADHD?
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often misunderstood as simply a difficulty with focus. However, when I talk with my clients, I explain that it is much more accurate to describe it as a challenge with regulating focus—often concentrating intensely on the wrong things. For example, you might find yourself hyper-focused on organizing a bookshelf instead of preparing for an important meeting or hyper fixating on a tiny (but interesting) section of a paper instead of moving on to other (less interesting) sections. This isn’t because of laziness or lack of willpower; it’s how the ADHD brain operates.
ADHD makes it difficult to prioritize tasks or shift focus to what’s most important in the moment. Therapy provides tools to help you understand these patterns and develop strategies to redirect your energy in meaningful ways. It’s about learning to work with your brain, not against it, while recognizing the unique strengths ADHD brings.
Why Therapy for ADHD?
Therapy for ADHD is more than just learning how to stay organized or manage time effectively. It’s a collaborative process that helps you:
Understand Your Brain: ADHD can feel frustrating, especially if you’ve been told you’re “lazy” or “unmotivated.” Therapy provides a space to understand how ADHD works and why certain tasks might feel harder. This knowledge can be empowering and validating.
Identify and Build on Your Strengths: Many people with ADHD are creative, empathetic, and think outside the box. Unfortunately, because society often praises neurotypical brains, people with ADHD can start to internalize messages they hear from the world around them. For example, you may have been told that you’re "too scattered" or "unreliable," leading to self-doubt and frustration. Over time, these messages can overshadow your natural gifts, making it harder to see the value you bring to the table. Therapy helps uncover these strengths and develop strategies to integrate them into your personal and professional life.Therapy helps uncover these strengths and develop strategies to integrate them into your personal and professional life.
Develop Practical Strategies: A therapist can work with you to create personalized systems for managing time, prioritizing tasks, and navigating day-to-day challenges. These strategies aren’t one-size-fits-all; they’re tailored to your unique needs and goals. The goals I help create for a college sophomore with ADHD
Manage Emotional Challenges ADHD often comes with heightened emotional sensitivity, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, or frustration. Therapy can help you process these emotions, build resilience, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Improve Relationships ADHD can impact communication and relationships. Therapy offers tools to improve how you connect with others, whether it’s navigating conflicts, setting boundaries, or strengthening bonds.
Therapy Options
While every therapy plan is individualized, common approaches I use for ADHD treatment include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on breaking unhelpful patterns and developing practical skills.
Mindfulness Techniques: Helping you stay present and reduce impulsivity. If mindfulness is not for you, that’s okay! We’ll find other ways to help you get grounded. For example, I struggle with traditional mindfulness techniques, like sitting and breathing. Instead, I’ve learned how to practice mindfulness through movement, exercise, and playing guitar (badly). We will work together to find what works for you.
Skill-Building Sessions: Focuses on time management, task prioritization, and organization.
Taking the Next Step
A Strengths-Based Approach
In my practice, I take a strengths-based approach to working with ADHD. Rather than focusing solely on what isn’t working, we’ll explore what is working and build from there. Many of my clients find that their ADHD traits—like hyper focus, curiosity, and adaptability—are assets once they learn how to channel them effectively.
If you’re ready to take the next step, I’m here to help. Together, we can create a plan that works for you and helps you move toward the life you want to lead. Let’s focus on what makes you, you —and how we can make that your superpower.
