Why these are my primary clinical focuses:
Adult ADHD (Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder)
In recent years there has been an increase in awareness and diagnosis of ADHD, to the extent that some have claimed it has been a recent “fad diagnosis.” I don’t believe that to be the case. I believe that what we have come to call ADHD has gone under-diagnosed, under-recognized, and poorly understood for, well, forever.
A few reasons why some people who have ADHD were not diagnosed as children:
They were able to rely on above average intellect to do relatively well in school, causing few if any suspicions of possible ADHD. Not all people with ADHD struggle(d) academically.
They were not overtly hyperactive or behaviorally problematic, leading to few if any suspicions of ADHD. Not all people with ADHD are or were overtly hyperactive/impulsive.
They had parents who distrusted psychiatric medicine and thus avoided considering the ADHD possibility.
“ADHD” is a set of neurological and personality traits and symptoms that would exist even if it were called something else, or not called anything. The most recent research is becoming clear that ADHD is a hereditary, neurologically-based way of experiencing the world. As Ed Hallowell, a renowned author and researcher on the topic of ADHD, describes it, in his book ADHD 2.0:
“ADHD is a far richer, more complicated, paradoxical, dangerous, but also potentially advantageous state of being than the oversimplified version most of the general public takes it to be, or than even the detailed diagnostic criteria would have you believe. “ADHD” is a term that describes a way of being in the world. It is neither entirely a disorder nor entirely an asset. It is an array of traits specific to a unique kind of mind. It can become a distinct advantage or an abiding curse, depending on how a person manages it.”
If you’re interested to know or discuss more about what ADHD is, and to what extent you identify with it, or if you already know that you have it and are looking for support, help and coaching in managing it, please contact me.
Alcohol issues (for those with insight or potential readiness to change)
I use a motivational interviewing and enhancement strategy to encourage people to consider the possibility that their life will improve if they decide to stop drinking permanently, and to help them navigate the various considerations or questions that are often accompany decisions to stop drinking. I tend to be open and direct about my opinions against alcohol (the substance itself, not users), but intend not to come across as judgmental.
If you would like help to continue drinking but perhaps more responsibly or in better moderation, or to “develop a healthier relationship with” alcohol, you may prefer to work with a therapist who drinks alcohol themselves. If you are open to or curious about the possibility that you can, and should, stop drinking altogether, indefinitely, and would like support in getting started, please contact me.
Relationship problems and needs
Stress, mental health problems, trauma/adverse life events, etc. almost always affect—and are affected by—our relationships, especially romantic/intimate relationships. I believe we can improve our own mental health symptoms by actively striving to make our relationships better, and conversely that striving to manage our mental health issues and vulnerabilities will itself help make our relationships better.
I have had training in both Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) as well as the Gottman Method. I often refer to concepts from one method or the other, or both, depending on the particular needs, desires, proclivities and dynamics of each individual and couple. I use these approaches to help couples and individuals approach communication, relationship and household needs differently with their partners.
Please note that unless you have Lyra Health benefits, couples therapy (both partners present) is not covered by traditional health insurance.
Family and in-law relationship problems and healthy boundaries
Adults often go through a process of change or evolution with regard to how they and think and feel about their childhoods and their parents/families. Common struggles include:
Realizing one’s parents are/were much more fallible than one previously thought
Realizing one’s parents will never meet or match one’s preconceptions of how they thought their parent would be at this stage of life
Anger, disappointment or sense of neglect reflecting back on how one’s parents handled certain situations or prioritized certain things or people
Becoming aware that a parent or family member had a mental disorder, or perhaps has always had personality disorder
Political or religious differences making it difficult to interact with or tolerate one’s parents or family
A family member’s addiction blurs the line between “helping” them and enabling them, necessitating different boundaries
Feeling a sense of guilt or obligation to maintain a close relationship, but this sense is in conflict with a feeling of need for boundaries (financial, emotional/psychological, time, distance)
It can still be true that you genuinely love and care about your parents (or other family members) while holding healthy boundaries with them.
I work with adults age 18 and older, primarily via telehealth. To see if I am accepting new clients, please visit our Contact page.
