THERAPY FOR TEENS & ADULTS WITH
ADHD
on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California
It doesn’t have to be this hard
If you have ADHD and it feels unmanageable right now; if you're wondering whether an ADHD diagnosis might explain the difficulties you’re having; or if you're struggling with some of the traits and challenges that overlap with ADHD — it doesn’t have to be this hard. I feel strongly that there is nothing "wrong" with you and that it’s possible for you to live a less stressful and exhausting life.
I work with clients to develop and implement practical, actionable strategies to better manage their ADHD. Just as important, we also address the emotional and relational challenges that often come with it. With advanced clinical training in ADHD, I approach this work with compassion, neutrality, and a passion for helping my clients function more successfully and feel better about themselves.
“The crux of the ADHD journey has as much to do with letting go of the false beliefs you have about yourself as it does with adding tools and strategies.”
— Sari Solden, MS and Michelle Frank, PsyD
Common Questions about Therapy for ADHD
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For clients struggling with their ADHD, I don’t just listen and nod as you talk about your challenges. I take a gently directive approach in order to make sure that you have skills and tools that will lead to smoother, better days — better days that string together into a more satisfying life. This part of the process typically includes developing a deeper understanding of your needs, learning how to take care of yourself and set yourself up for success, and discovering how to work with your brain instead of against it.
Our journey does not end there, however. Folks living with undiagnosed or poorly managed ADHD have usually amassed quite a collection of difficult experiences and negative beliefs about themselves. Together we will bring tenderness and compassion to these wounds and do the powerful work of healing your relationship to yourself, your past, your body, and your brain.
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Executive function coaching focuses on strategies to better manage the mental processes known as the “executive functions”: organization, time management, planning, problem-solving, etc. People may struggle with executive functioning for a variety of reasons, including ADHD.
However, ADHD can also affect emotion regulation, relationships, self-esteem, restlessness, impulsivity, and more. Also, managing ADHD well requires attending to emotional wounds and addressing common co-occurring conditions, such as depression and anxiety. ADHD is much more than just executive function challenges, and working with a trained therapist may offer individuals with ADHD the most appropriate treatment and comprehensive support.
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No. As I am not a medical provider, I am not able to write prescriptions.
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Absolutely. With your permission, I will collaborate with your doctor(s) and prescribing provider(s) to ensure that your treatment is optimized and integrated across your care team.
Therapy for Teens and College Students with ADHD
You know your teen’s ADHD does not define them. It’s just one part of them, and teens with ADHD can be some of the most interesting, creative, and loveable people we know.
Still, young people with ADHD may face an additional set of challenges and may need extra support.
For teens, ADHD isn’t just a tough time staying organized or keeping up with academics. Shame, low self-esteem, social rejection, and other painful challenges can result from struggling through life without the practical tools and emotional resources that are part of well-managed ADHD. Also, research shows that adolescents and adults with ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other challenges to their mental health — all of which can get missed in the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence.
Transitions can also be uniquely difficult for teens with ADHD. If your child is transitioning to high school or college, they will likely need to update their strategies for the increasing demands, as well as update their emotional coping skills for the complexity of this next season of their lives.
You can read more about how I work with teens and emerging adults here, or contact me to schedule a conversation.