Counseling for Woman with ADHD in Columbus, OH
Women are often overlooked for an ADHD diagnosis. Many grow up feeling different and have no idea why. Those who are diagnosed (often in adulthood), find they struggle for years without support or understanding.
Eventually, many women seek ADHD testing or ADHD counseling because their lives feel out of control. They 
struggle to keep up with everyday life without overwhelm and overstimulation. Deadlines are missed, work is done at 1 am, and they feel they’ve lost the emotional space to connect with their family without getting irritated.
Many women with ADHD have learned to mask their ADHD in an effort to act “normal,” which can lead to feeling burnt out at work and disconnected in their family life.
Whether diagnosed or not, many women have more questions than answers about ADHD. By the time they reach out for help, they’ve hit a point in life where they just can’t keep up anymore. They’re finally ready to do things differently, but don’t know where to start.
You deserve to feel at peace in your own mind.
To end the day feeling good enough.
To better understand your ADHD brain and feel confident that you have the tools to stay on top of life.
Understanding ADHD in Women
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a genetic, neurological condition you’re born with. ADHD impacts the brain’s executive functions (e.g. planning, working memory, emotional regulation, and ability to self-regulate and filter out distractions—to name a few). People with ADHD have a hard time focusing, getting things done, and regulating their emotions and actions. It’s important to understand that the ADHD brain isn’t broken, it just works differently.
What ADHD is Not:
- The result of a lack of effort or willpower
- The product of environmental factors or bad parenting
- A result of trauma in childhood
What are the Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women?
Adult ADHD symptoms include:
- Inconsistent energy and effort toward goals (e.g. starting a business, sticking to a work out routine)
- Forgetting things people say to you; misplacing personal items
- Disorganization of physical space (e.g. “doom piles;” a messy car, desk, etc.)
- Procrastinating on paperwork or house protects
- Getting easily sidetracked
- Being constantly fidgety and restless
For a more extensive list, click here: ADHD in Women Symptom Checklist.
Completing an ADHD quiz can also help you identify if you yourself might have ADHD.
How Does ADHD Affect Adult Women?
As discussed, ADHD goes deeper than the neurological wiring of ADHD. ADHD also has an emotional impact. Existing in a world made for someone else takes its toll on a person’s self-worth. Here are some other ways ADHD affects adult women:
- Overthinking
- People-pleasing or worrying excessively about disappointing others
- Imposter syndrome (no matter how successful)
- Perfectionism followed by burnout
- Toxic shame and guilt
- Self-doubt
- A history of anxiety and depression without a complete remission of symptoms
- A strong inner critic
How to Get Diagnosed with ADHD as an Adult Woman:
Clinicians diagnose ADHD through ADHD testing, the gold standard for an accurate diagnosis. It involves about three hours of 
testing that includes several testing data points, including: rating scales, an interview, data from someone you trust, and a neurological evaluation. In the end, you’ll receive a full report to support your diagnosis. Because ADHD is often overlooked in women, a comprehensive evaluation can help you and your doctor know with confidence whether or not you have ADHD.
Why Does ADHD Go Undiagnosed in Women?
Studies have shown that ADHD is diagnosed more often in men/boys than women/girls by a ratio of 3 to 1. This is due to the fact ADHD presents differently in women and girls, making it difficult to diagnose. While most people expect to see a diagnosis similar to the “Dennis the Menace” type behaviors seen in boys with ADHD, this isn’t often the presentation for ADHD girls and women. In fact, many women learn to hide their ADHD traits through a process called ADHD masking.
What is ADHD Masking?
Do you ever avoid speaking up because you don’t want to “make waves?” Do you not share feelings or needs because you fear being called “too sensitive?” Once your head hits the pillow, do you toss and turn and beat yourself for being “too much” at a social event? Many women with ADHD learn to hide their natural ADHD traits from the outside world. Here are some common examples:
- Staying silent to avoid talking too much
- Perfectionism to avoid mistakes being made
- Overcommitting to make up for being distracted in the day
- Lying about how you spend mismanaged time to avoid being criticized
- Avoiding social interactions due to fear of rejection
- Trying to be everything to everyone/people-pleasing
- Avoiding risks to avoid failure
ADHD masking almost always leads many people with ADHD to feel disconnected from their lives.
The Focused Mind Approach to Counseling for Women With ADHD
If you’re an ADHD woman, you may be wondering: how do I find a therapist who really understands ADHD in women?
At Focused Mind ADHD Counseling in Columbus, Ohio, we specialize in helping women with ADHD feel understood and supported. In fact, we have a full team of ADHD therapists who provide counseling explicitly designed for women who often face unique struggles that go beyond focus and attention.
We’ll help you tackle common ADHD challenges—like procrastination, time management, and staying organized—while also addressing deeper issues that many women experience—like imposter syndrome, low self-worth, people-pleasing, and self-doubt.
Through personalized ADHD therapy for women, you’ll learn practical strategies to manage your symptoms, build confidence, and find more balance in your daily life. Most importantly, our goal is to empower you to feel authentic, capable, and grounded—so you can show up as the best version of yourself.
What is Holding You Back from Beginning Adult ADHD Counseling?
“I’ve been to therapy in the past and am still struggling. Even if I have the right diagnosis, what makes therapy here different?”
We hear this one a lot. Many folks have seen therapists who had a “one-size-fits-all” approach. They’ve found it helpful in some ways but are still searching for answers. The problem is, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to ADHD. ADHD impacts everyone very differently. ADHD therapy with an ADHD specialist honors the fact that treatment should be personalized and affirming, addressing the particular ways ADHD impacts your life explicitly. This is what sets us apart from other practices. We understand that your therapy should be as unique as you.
“These symptoms sound right, but I don’t want the ‘label.’”
At Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, our mission is to go beyond labels. To see you as a whole person with unique strengths. We don’t just treat symptoms—we help you get unstuck so you can live the life you want.
“I often feel misunderstood; why would you be any different?”
It’s pretty common for adults with ADHD to spend time with people who don’t understand ADHD. Family members get frustrated, bosses criticize, some friends just don’t get it. Feeling misunderstood all the time can have a pretty negative effect on someone’s self-esteem. So it’s easy to shut down. “Why bother if no one understands?” An ADHD specialist who does understand can help you feel heard. Both in therapy and in your everyday life.
Begin Counseling for Women with ADHD in Columbus, OH
You don’t have to live your life feeling overwhelmed. Our Columbus, OH-based counseling practice can help you focus your busy brain. Our ADHD counseling clinic in Columbus, Ohio has caring therapists who specialize in ADHD Treatment.
To start your counseling journey, follow these simple steps:
- Fill out the contact form to reach out and schedule a consultation.
- Meet with one of our caring therapists.
- Stop feeling scattered. Focus your busy mind.
Other Services Offered at Focused Mind ADHD Counseling
Counseling for women with ADHD is not the only service we offer at our Columbus, OH counseling practice. At Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, we not only provide adult ADHD treatment, but we also offer multiple mental health services, including ADHD testing. As an adult with ADHD, you may also benefit from couples therapy for ADHD, counseling for men with ADHD, anxiety treatment for ADHD, and/or depression counseling for ADHD. You can also view our blog for more resources and helpful info.
