Therapy for ADHD
ADHD can be a blessing and a curse. There are parts of being an ADHDer that make life so much fun and there are parts that are profoundly challenging and complex. There are times when things never seem to go your way and mistakes are made. You may have shame and sometimes wonder, “Why can’t I just get things right?” To make matters worse, your peers don’t seem to struggle like you do, and this makes you feel even more inadequate.
Sometimes the hyper-focus and ability to think creatively help you to be successful in all areas of your life. But the lack of follow through and difficulty with tasks you don’t find interesting impact your personal and professional life too. If you are really motivated and interested it all get’s done, but if that interest wanes…
Over time, the challenges you’re experiencing have caused you to experience anxiety and depression, and perhaps relationship challenges. Often these challenges come from living in a world that isn’t made for your brain. You know it’s time to make a change. Maybe it’s time to figure out how to work with the brain you’ve got and try to learn how to live in this world as the best you.
The Impact of ADHD in Adulthood
First, we want you to know that you are not alone. In fact, adult ADHD affects approximately 4.4% of the US population. But, we imagine that number is perhaps much higher, as adult ADHD tends to be overlooked or dismissed. Especially in women.
Common Reasons ADHDers Seek Therapy
Struggles in interpersonal relationships
Difficulty identifying needs and learning how to meet them
Learning how to work with your brain, not against it
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
Executive Functioning Challenges including task completion and time management
Difficulties with self-care including sleep and food
As well as the depression, anxiety, substance use and addiction that can come with being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world
ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)
Many ADHDer’s often learn they also experience Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), a common feature of ADHD. Essentially, RSD makes it difficult to regulate emotions, specifically when put in situations where you feel rejected. RSD makes rejection or anything that feels like rejection, unbearable. It makes your skin crawl, your anxiety shoots through the roof, and your self-esteem plummets. Getting less than positive feedback from your boss sends you into a spiral of negative self-talk. Arguing with your partner makes you feel isolated and unloved. And making friends is hard because things like social media and being “left unread” over text only further those feelings of isolation and rejection.
Maybe you always knew you felt things more intensely than others, but just thought you were sensitive. Partners, siblings, and friends always told you to “get over it” because things you got upset about weren’t a “big deal.” Or maybe this is something that has come up in adulthood that you’ve never experienced before. Regardless of when ADHD and RSD started impacting you, you deserve to get support.
Sometimes, having a label for something you’ve been dealing with can be empowering. It’s validating that the battles you’ve faced in your mind are a real thing, with a real name. On the other hand, you might be feeling overwhelmed and confused with all this new information. But the truth is, you’re not alone.
Our Approach to Adult ADHD Treatment
The good news is, that help is available for ADHDer’s who experience RSD. Our therapists have extensive training in helping both with the struggles that come with ADHD and RSD. We take a directive approach to counseling. So, we won’t just sit back and listen to you talk about your challenges. Instead, we will give you the tools you need to, learn more about ADHD, start working with your brain (instead of against it), and deal with distress when it arises.
The work of helping an ADHDer is twofold. First, we will assist you in learning to work with your brain instead of trying to make it meet expectations that work against your brain. We will help you learn skills to care for yourself and get your needs met so that you can be the best you out in the world. Then we will address your inner critic and any self-esteem issues you’re experiencing.
Furthermore, if you’re experiencing emotional dysregulation or RSD, we will help you learn coping techniques to use when you experience distress or disappointment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) For ADHD
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the treatment strategies we use to help ADHDers. The combination of understanding how to change your story about the problems you face and providing you with a toolbox of neurodivergent affirming techniques to help you work better with your brain. You can expect to leave sessions with something to do or work on before we meet again. This will help you practice and implement the skills you learn in therapy.
We often tell our clients that their ADHD is their superpower, they just haven’t learned to use it to their advantage yet. Therefore, our goal is to teach you strategies to help you to be the best authentic you that you can be. We often will also bring romantic partners or family into therapy to help all of you learn to accommodate each other and create a harmonious home life for everyone. We do this through the education of both partners and working together to problem-solve issues that come up regularly in a way that allows all parties to be heard and seen. And, we collaborate with clients’ psychiatrists to provide continuity of care with medication management and any co-occurring conditions.
Common Questions About ADHD Treatment at California Integrative Counseling Center
Do you accept insurance?
No, we are a private pay counseling center. This means we don’t accept any insurance at this time. We will provide you with itemized receipts to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement as an out-of-network provider. Please call your insurance company to learn more about out-of-network mental health benefits.
Do you prescribe medication?
The therapists at California Integrative Counseling Center are unable to prescribe medications. However, we work closely with a group of psychiatrists in the Bay Area who are able to prescribe medications and/or manage the ones you’re currently taking.
Will you collaborate with my psychiatrist and physicians?
Yes. It’s extremely important to us that you find success, and if medication helps you feel successful, then we would be honored to work with the medical professionals who are prescribing them.
Do you do ADHD assessments and write accommodations?
We do. We are trained to offer ADHD assessments, and, we are willing to write accommodation letters for current counseling clients stating their diagnosis and the treatment we are providing.
Begin Adult ADHD Treatment in California
You deserve to feel as successful as you truly are. Working with a therapist for ADHD can help you harness the power of your mind and feel a renewed sense of empowerment. And, you can access therapy from anywhere in California with online therapy. Book a free 20-minute consultation call with us to see if California Integrative Counseling Center is a good fit for your mental health needs.
Other Services at California Integrative Counseling Center
At our California-based counseling center, we focus on your goals for therapy. If you are looking to reconnect with your partner(s), our inclusive therapists would be happy to help with couples therapy. Likewise, we know that your life is always changing, whether you are going through a divorce, having a child, or finally got that dream job. Our therapists provide counseling for life transitions to help you navigate life transitions - big or small, positive or negative. We also offer therapy for teens as well! If you are not quite ready to begin individual ADHD treatment, we offer an ADHD support group for women. We would be honored to accompany you on your path toward mental wellness.