Many adults with ADHD, ASD, or other neurodivergent traits carry years of internalized criticism, mislabeling, or missed diagnoses. Therapy can gently untangle these layers, helping you build self-trust, reduce nervous-system overwhelm, and move toward a more compassionate relationship with yourself

I work with adults with ADHD and neurodivergent traits who are often highly intelligent, creative, and intuitive, yet struggle with overwhelm, inconsistency, or internalized shame. Our work focuses on understanding your unique nervous system, strengthening emotional and attentional regulation, and creating sustainable ways of living that feel supportive—rather than forcing yourself into ill-fitting models of productivity or success.

This is strengths-based, trauma-informed therapy for adults seeking deeper self-understanding, practical support, and lasting change.

Finding the Best Adult ADHD Therapist in New York City

Finding an experienced adult ADHD therapist in New York City means finding someone who understands how ADHD affects focus, organization, emotional regulation, motivation, and daily functioning—often in ways that are subtle or misunderstood.

The right therapist helps you:

• Identify personal patterns and triggers

• Develop practical, individualized strategies

• Build sustainable habits and systems

• Address related challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or low self-esteem

Effective adult ADHD therapy blends evidence-based approaches with individualized pacing and flexibility. In a fast-paced city like NYC, working with a therapist who combines clinical expertise, practical guidance, and genuine understanding can make a meaningful difference.

Feeling supported, understood, and collaborative often matters more than credentials alone.

Does This Sound Familiar?

• Difficulty starting or completing tasks

• Losing focus easily

• Restlessness or internal agitation

• Chronic disorganization

• Missed deadlines or forgotten commitments

• Strained relationships due to follow-through challenges

• Feeling lazy, broken, or “not enough” despite effort

Many adults recognize these patterns dating back to childhood—even if ADHD was never identified.

Adult ADHD & Neurodiversity

Adult ADHD and neurodiversity are increasingly recognized, yet many adults remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. ADHD affects approximately 8 million adults in the United States. Neurodiversity includes ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and related neurological differences.

As awareness grows, more adults are discovering later in life that longstanding struggles have a neurological basis rather than being personal failures. For many, this realization is profoundly relieving.

Rates of ADHD diagnosis have risen significantly over recent decades, suggesting that many adults previously went unrecognized or unsupported.

How ADHD Often Shows Up in Adults

While ADHD is commonly associated with childhood hyperactivity, adult ADHD frequently presents as:

• Difficulty sustaining attention

• Poor prioritization

• Forgetfulness

• Impulsivity

• Emotional reactivity

• Chronic overwhelm

Symptoms are frequently misattributed to depression, anxiety, trauma, or personality traits. These conditions can co-occur with ADHD, but untreated ADHD itself often drives secondary distress.

Years of being misunderstood can lead to shame, self-criticism, and exhaustion.

Working with a mental health professional trained in adult ADHD assessment and treatment is essential.

The Three Presentations of ADHD

Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
Difficulty sustaining attention, organization, and follow-through.

Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
Restlessness, impulsivity, excessive activity or speech.

Combined Presentation
Features of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive presentations.

ADHD in Women

Women are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated for ADHD.

Rather than overt hyperactivity, many women present with:

• Inattention

• Disorganization

• Mental overwhelm

• Emotional sensitivity

• Perfectionism

• Internalized distress

Many women compensate through overachievement, masking, or self-blame, delaying diagnosis until adulthood.

Hormonal shifts—including perimenopause and menopause—can significantly intensify ADHD symptoms due to estrogen’s influence on neurotransmitters involved in attention and executive functioning.

As hormones change, women may experience:

• Increased forgetfulness

• Brain fog

• Mood instability

• Reduced concentration

• Increased emotional reactivity

Support during this life stage is especially important.

Adult ADHD Symptoms & Executive Functioning Challenges

• Impulsivity

• Low frustration tolerance

• Disorganization

• Forgetfulness

• Poor time management

• Difficulty sustaining attention

• Difficulty following instructions

• Poor planning

• Trouble prioritizing

• Losing items

• Careless mistakes

• Emotional reactivity

• Restlessness or fidgeting

• Excessive talking or interrupting

• Difficulty waiting turn

• Difficulty completing tasks

How Adult ADHD Is Diagnosed

Adult ADHD diagnosis typically involves:

• Detailed clinical history

• Symptom screening tools

• Ruling out medical conditions

• Assessment of functional impairment

Because many mental health conditions mimic ADHD, careful differential assessment is essential.

Neurodivergence in women & Men

Neurodivergence is an umbrella term describing natural variations in brain functioning, learning styles, attention, sensory processing, and social cognition. Common types of neurodivergence include:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – inattention, distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and executive functioning challenges

• Autism Spectrum (Autism / ASD) – differences in social communication, sensory processing, pattern recognition, and interests

• Dyslexia – difficulty with reading, decoding, and written language

• Dyscalculia – difficulty with math concepts and numerical processing

• Dysgraphia – difficulty with writing, spelling, and fine motor coordination

• Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) – difficulty interpreting auditory information despite normal hearing

• Sensory Processing Differences – heightened or reduced sensitivity to sound, light, touch, taste, or movement

• Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders – involuntary motor or vocal tics

• Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder) – challenges with motor planning and coordination

• Nonverbal Learning Differences (NVLD) – difficulties with visual-spatial processing and social cues

• Giftedness / Twice-Exceptionality (2e) – high intellectual ability alongside learning or developmental differences

Many individuals experience overlapping forms of neurodivergence, and presentations can change across the lifespan. Neurodivergent brains are not broken—they are different. Therapy can support self-understanding, emotional regulation, executive functioning skills, self-acceptance, and strategies that honor how your brain naturally works.

Why Proper Identification Matters

Living in a culture that demands constant focus, productivity, and multitasking places neurodivergent individuals at particular risk for burnout, anxiety, and shame.

Proper identification and support allow individuals to:

• Understand their brain

• Access appropriate tools

• Reduce self-blame

• Build environments that support success

How Therapy Helps Adult ADHD

Therapy supports adults with ADHD by helping you:

• Understand your neurological wiring

• Strengthen executive functioning

• Improve emotional regulation

• Develop personalized systems

• Heal shame and internalized criticism

• Build self-compassion and self-trust

This work is not about “fixing” you—it’s about supporting how you function.

Types of Therapy That Support Adult ADHD

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

• Behavioral Therapy

• ADHD Coaching

• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

• Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy

• EMDR Therapy

• Medication management (with prescribing provider)

Most clients benefit from a blended, individualized approach.

Thriving With ADHD

It is absolutely possible to live well and thrive with ADHD.

With appropriate support, many adults discover:

• Greater clarity

• Improved focus

• Increased confidence

• Better relationships

• Reduced overwhelm

• A stronger sense of self

Adult ADHD Therapy – Frequently Asked Questions

What is adult ADHD therapy?

Adult ADHD therapy focuses on understanding how attention, focus, emotional regulation, and nervous system patterns affect daily life. Therapy supports adults in working with ADHD-related challenges while building sustainable strategies that align with their strengths, values, and lived experience.

Can ADHD show up differently in adults than in children?

Yes. In adults, ADHD often looks less like hyperactivity and more like difficulty with focus, follow-through, organization, emotional regulation, time management, or chronic overwhelm. Many adults have learned to compensate outwardly while feeling internally strained or depleted.

How do I know if I have ADHD or if it’s anxiety, burnout, or trauma?

Symptoms of ADHD can overlap with anxiety, depression, trauma, or chronic stress. Therapy helps explore patterns over time, developmental history, and nervous system responses to better understand what’s contributing to your experience. A thoughtful assessment can clarify whether ADHD is part of the picture.

Do I need a formal diagnosis to start therapy?

No. Many adults seek therapy to explore ADHD-related patterns without pursuing a formal diagnosis. Therapy can be helpful whether ADHD is confirmed, suspected, or simply part of a broader conversation about attention, regulation, and functioning.

Is adult ADHD always treated with medication?

No. While medication can be helpful for some individuals, therapy plays an important role in addressing emotional regulation, self-esteem, internal pressure, and the impact ADHD can have on relationships and daily life. Many adults seek therapy alone or alongside medication.

How does an integrative approach help with adult ADHD?

An integrative approach looks beyond symptoms to understand how attention and regulation are shaped by nervous system patterns, stress, trauma history, lifestyle demands, and relational dynamics. Therapy may include trauma-informed psychotherapy, EMDR-informed approaches, and strategies that support regulation, clarity, and follow-through.

Can trauma or chronic stress affect attention and focus?

Yes. Trauma and prolonged stress can significantly impact concentration, memory, and executive functioning. Therapy helps differentiate between ADHD and trauma-related attention challenges and addresses both when they coexist.

Can EMDR help adults with ADHD?

EMDR may be helpful when ADHD-related difficulties are compounded by trauma, negative core beliefs, or emotional reactivity. It is used selectively and as part of a broader therapeutic framework when clinically appropriate.

Is telehealth effective for adult ADHD therapy?

Yes. Telehealth therapy can be very effective for adults with ADHD. Remote sessions reduce logistical barriers and allow therapy to be integrated into daily life, while still offering consistency, structure, and meaningful support.

Do you provide adult ADHD therapy for New York clients via telehealth?

Yes. Adult ADHD therapy is offered to individuals located in New York through secure telehealth sessions, in accordance with state licensure requirements.

Who do you typically work with around adult ADHD?

I often work with adults who are intelligent, capable, and accomplished yet struggle with focus, follow-through, emotional regulation, or chronic overwhelm. Many are professionals, creatives, or midlife individuals seeking clarity and self-understanding rather than quick fixes.

How long does adult ADHD therapy take?

There is no fixed timeline. Some clients benefit from shorter-term, targeted support, while others choose longer-term therapy to address deeper patterns related to self-esteem, relationships, or nervous system regulation. Therapy is paced collaboratively.

When is a higher level of care or additional evaluation recommended?

If attention challenges significantly impair daily functioning or raise safety concerns, additional evaluation or support may be recommended. Ethical practice includes helping clients access appropriate resources when needed.

How do I get started with adult ADHD therapy?

You can begin by requesting an initial consultation. This allows us to explore your concerns, clarify goals, and determine whether adult ADHD therapy is the right fit.

Working with a clinician who understands both ADHD and neurodiversity can be life-changing. Reach out today!