ADHD Therapy
Virtual Therapy in Hawaii, California, Utah, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Florida
“Healing is a process, not a destination. Although some people make it look extremely easy, life can be a very challenging journey. Whether our struggles are big or seemingly small, we are all worthy of support in navigating the complexities.”
Michal Cohen, LCSW
Is ADHD Throwing Your Personal and Professional Life Into Chaos On The Regular?
Does it ever feel like you’re not “good enough” because you’re always struggling with things that others tend to handle with ease? Do you have challenges with:
- Organizing, planning, or managing your time effectively?
- Procrastinating, staying on task, or finishing things you started?
- Focusing, following instructions, or paying attention to detail?
- Impatience or impulsivity, such as shopping or spending too much?
Perhaps you feel like you’re always stuck doing damage control and apologizing for things like overreacting or interrupting others. Or maybe you just get overwhelmed when you have too much on your plate, and you’re hoping ADHD therapy can finally give you a sense of peace.
ADHD Can Create Little Annoying Messes Throughout Your Life
Work performance suffers. Relationships get stressed—and hopes and goals for the future can lose momentum due to lack of motivation (i.e., dopamine reward). Being late all the time and taking longer to do things can create feelings of inadequacy—like you always need to be doing more or trying harder.
Socially, you may blurt things out so you don’t forget what you want to say—but then worry about people thinking you’re rude or self-centered. Even with loved ones, you may get frustrated easily and lash out only to feel guilty or embarrassed later.
As someone who has struggled with ADHD their whole life, I know just how powerful therapy can be. Instead of seeing yourself as flawed or inadequate, working with a therapist can get you to a place where you finally feel calm, clear, and at peace with yourself and ADHD.
ADHD Is A Widely Common And Misunderstood Condition
Rather than being genetic or biological in nature, I share Dr. Gabor Mate’s view that ADHD is a form of developmental trauma. Sometimes, a child can experience something so painful that “tuning out” becomes a way of coping. As time progresses, the brain becomes wired in a way that makes it hard to focus on things that aren’t stimulating or enjoyable.
We also live in a society that overloads us with information, over-stimulates us with technology, and constantly exposes us to high-speed media—all of which contribute to attention challenges. Because our culture prioritizes productivity and achievement, many of us with ADHD are labeled as disordered or less capable.
Why Is It Hard To “Work Through” ADHD Without Treatment?
Unfortunately, many people with ADD/ADHD face complicated challenges with regulating their emotions and behaviors, making it difficult to manage symptoms independently. Some may not recognize they need better executive functioning skills—or they feel like their issues are “just part of who they are.”
Women (who have historically been under-diagnosed) often feel like they should suck it up and try harder. Plus, most people are unaware of how ADHD affects their brain’s processing, which can make them feel broken or defective.
The truth is that your mind works in unique ways, so you require different strategies for functioning and thriving in life. The problem is not you, but a society that isn’t designed to accommodate people who operate like you. Working with an ADHD therapist equips you with those life skills while helping you shift from a self-deprecating mindset to one of self-acceptance, self-compassion, and inner peace.
You Are Good Enough—And ADD/ADHD Therapy Can Prove It
I approach counseling from the perspective that ADHD is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it can feel next to impossible to focus or get anything done. On the other, I bet you’re deeply creative, empathetic, honest to a fault, and gifted with a beautiful mind that naturally thinks outside of the box.
These are all qualities that the world needs more of, so while you may feel inadequate, you’re actually quite amazing. I just want to help you see that for yourself while giving you the tools you need to transform those intrinsic strengths into a source of power. At the same time, I’ll also equip you with practical skills for managing aspects of ADHD that make it harder to function in daily life.
How Does ADD/ADHD Therapy For Adults Work?
Because Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is often a result of painful past experiences, therapy often involves:
- Examining the potential role that family, childhood experiences, and cultural expectations may have played in the development of ADHD as a coping mechanism.
- Identifying specific areas where ADHD is affecting performance, such as difficulty with organization, meeting deadlines, starting/following through on things, etc.
- Building an understanding of how emotional outbursts, forgetfulness, and other ADHD symptoms are impacting current relationships.
- Giving yourself permission to navigate ADHD without guilt, self-judgment, or unnecessary pressure.
- Improving specific executive functioning skills for things like time management, planning, organization, etc.
What Kind Of Tools Do I Use In Adult ADD/ADHD Treatment?
The most powerful strategy I draw from in therapy is Compassionate Inquiry for ADHD, developed by my teacher Dr. Gabor Mate.
Compassionate Inquiry is about moving away from blaming ourselves for ADHD/ADD and shifting towards accepting ourselves, our gifts, and our uniqueness fully—but that’s not the only tool I use:
- Mindfulness for ADHD helps to slow your mind down, thereby reducing impulsivity, improving focus, and deepening your self-awareness.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT for Anxiety) teaches you various emotional regulation skills that enable you to respond to stressors in a way that is less emotionally reactive and more reflective.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT for ADHD) involves challenging limiting beliefs like “I’m not good enough” so you can start to view yourself as being enough exactly as you are.
- Brainspotting is a bilateral brain stimulation technique that helps resolve any trauma at the core of ADHD.
If you’re open to it, I can teach you meditation techniques, which can improve focus and help you stay on task. I also want to show you how to bring kindness to yourself while providing the tools to help you flourish. After all, our brains don’t always cooperate exactly when we want them to.
Although ADHD comes with its own unique set of challenges, it also endows you with strengths, creativity, and potential that can be harnessed with the right guidance and support. Having ADHD doesn’t mean you’re destined to struggle or fall short of your dreams. It just means that you need different strategies for optimizing how you navigate this world—and that is what I am here for.
Perhaps You’re Considering ADHD Therapy But Still Have Questions…
Can ADHD treatment really help me manage my symptoms?
Absolutely! Working with a therapist can directly target ADHD symptoms and any challenges affecting your daily life. You’ll receive tools for improving organization and time management.
I’ll show you how to navigate relationships and social environments with greater ease and confidence. Plus, ADHD treatment can provide logistical and emotional support for pursuing any goals you may have.
Do I need to take medication to get better?
I believe in the power of counseling for adult ADD/ADHD and recognize that treatment is highly individualized. For some, medication can be very effective in managing symptoms like inattention and impulsivity.
Others often find that therapy—such as CBT, DBT, or mindfulness—provides the tools they need to thrive. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach; it all depends on your unique needs and goals. My role is to help you explore what works best for you.
What does it mean to be neurodivergent?
To be neurodivergent means that a person’s brain processes information or experiences the world in ways that differ from what is considered typical or “neurotypical.” Neurodivergence is an umbrella term that includes a variety of conditions and cognitive styles.
These differences are not seen as disorders or deficits, but rather as variations in human brain functioning and behavior. The term neurodivergence acknowledges that there is no one “correct” way for the human brain to work and that we are all unique.
From Scattered And Overwhelmed To Clear, Calm, and Focused
Personally and professionally, I know just how much ADHD can hold you back and make you feel “less than” everyone else. So if you’re ready and motivated to change your life for the better, please call (347) 860-1471 or use my contact form to set up your free, 15-minute consultation and learn more about ADHD Therapy with Michal.
Therapy with Michal offers online ADD/ADHD treatment for adults in CA, FL, PA, UT, NV, Honolulu, and all of the neighbor islands.