Effective Therapy for Women with ADHD in Sacramento, CA

Finally, ADHD Support Designed for Women's Experiences

Specialized ADHD therapy for women in Sacramento who've been masking, people-pleasing, and holding it all together while falling apart inside. Late diagnosis specialists who understand why your ADHD was missed.

For years, you've been told you're "too sensitive," "too much," or "not living up to your potential." What if the problem isn't you? What if it's undiagnosed or misunderstood ADHD that's been overlooked because you don't fit the hyperactive boy stereotype?

ADHD in Women Looks Different (And Sacramento Therapists Often Miss It)

The Hidden Struggle No One Sees

From the outside, you might look like you have it all together. Inside, you're:

• Drowning in mental load – tracking everyone's needs while forgetting your own
• Paralyzed by perfectionism – can't start because you can't do it "right"
• Exhausted from masking – performing "normal" all day until you collapse
• Overwhelmed by emotions – feeling everything intensely with no off switch
• Scattered but functioning – maintaining the facade while chaos reigns internally
• Time blind and panicking – always late despite leaving "on time"

You're not anxious. You're not depressed. You have ADHD.

(Though you might have anxiety and depression too – they're common companions when ADHD goes undiagnosed for decades.)

Why ADHD Gets Missed in Sacramento Women

The Diagnostic Gender Gap Is Real

Research shows women with ADHD are diagnosed an average of 5 years later than men – often not until their 30s, 40s, or beyond. Why?

Traditional ADHD criteria were based on hyperactive boys. Meanwhile, girls with ADHD often:

• Daydream instead of disrupting
• Hyperfocus on people-pleasing
• Internalize hyperactivity as anxiety
• Mask symptoms through extraordinary effort
• Develop coping mechanisms that hide struggles

Sacramento mental health providers often misdiagnose women's ADHD as:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• "Just stress" from juggling too much

At Brilla Counseling, we know better. We see you.

How ADHD Shows Up in Women's Lives

At Work

• Imposter syndrome on steroids – despite achievements, feeling like a fraud
• Deadline panic – procrastinating then pulling all-nighters
• Meeting anxiety – losing track of thoughts mid-sentence
• Email overwhelm – 10,000 unread messages
• Career jumping – boredom or burnout cycles
• Underemployment – brilliant but "underperforming"

In Relationships

• Rejection sensitive dysphoria – one criticism sends you spiraling
• People pleasing exhaustion – saying yes when you mean no
• Communication struggles – interrupting or zoning out
• Emotional intensity – partners say you're "too much"
• Intimacy challenges – sensory issues or distraction
• Mom guilt – feeling like you're failing your kids

At Home

• Domestic chaos – laundry mountain, dish avalanche
• Decision paralysis – meal planning feels impossible
• Time blindness – "5 minutes" becomes 2 hours
• Clutter blindness – not seeing mess until it's overwhelming
• Project graveyard – abandoned hobbies everywhere
• Sensory overload – touched out, noise sensitive

Internal Experience

• Racing thoughts – brain like 47 browser tabs open
• Emotional dysregulation – 0 to 100 instantly
• Shame spirals – why can't I just be normal?
• Comparison trap – everyone else makes it look easy
• Identity confusion – who am I without the mask?
• Hormone havoc – ADHD symptoms worse with PMS/menopause

Our Approach: ADHD Therapy Designed for Women

We Understand Women's ADHD

Our Sacramento team includes therapists who:

• Specialize in adult women with ADHD
• Understand late diagnosis experiences
• Know how hormones affect ADHD
• Recognize masking and burnout
• See your strengths, not just symptoms

Beyond "Just Try Harder"

Traditional therapy often fails women with ADHD. We offer:

ADHD-Informed Therapy

• Shorter, focused segments for ADHD attention
• Visual aids and written summaries
• Movement and fidgeting encouraged
• Flexible scheduling for time blindness
• Email reminders and check-ins

Practical Life Strategies

• Time management that works with ADHD
• Home organization for ADHD brains
• Work accommodations and advocacy
• Relationship communication tools
• Parenting with ADHD support

Emotional Regulation Skills

• Understanding rejection sensitivity
• Managing emotional intensity
• Breaking shame spirals
• Building self-compassion
• Reducing masking exhaustion

Identity and Acceptance Work

• Grieving the diagnosis delay
• Rebuilding self-concept
• Unmasking safely
• Finding your people
• Celebrating neurodivergent strengths