ADHD Therapy in California

Understanding ADHD in Adulthood

ADHD is widely misunderstood — especially for adults. Many Californians grow up hearing they’re “lazy,” “too distracted,” “too emotional,” “not trying hard enough,” or “inconsistent,” when the truth is much simpler:

Your brain works differently, and you’ve been trying to make it operate in systems that weren’t built for you.

Whether you were diagnosed recently, diagnosed as a kid, or you’re just now realizing ADHD might explain years of overwhelm, therapy can help you feel more grounded, capable, and in control.

I’m Erin Oden, LCSW, a Certified ADHD Therapist offering online ADHD therapy for adults across California — including Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, the Bay Area, Sacramento, and everywhere in between.

Signs of ADHD in Adults

ADHD doesn’t look the same for everyone. In adults, it can show up as:

• Difficulty focusing or staying present

• Trouble starting or finishing tasks

• Feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities

• Disorganization or constant “mental clutter”

• Time blindness or inconsistent routines

• Forgetfulness or losing track of things

• Emotional sensitivity or quick reactivity

• Impulsivity or decision fatigue

• Chronic procrastination despite best intentions

• Feeling chronically behind, scattered, or ashamed

Many adults describe living in a constant push-pull between “too much to do” and “not enough capacity to do it.”

Therapy can help you understand these patterns and build tools to navigate them more effectively.

Why ADHD Therapy Helps

ADHD affects more than focus — it influences emotions, relationships, work, identity, and daily functioning. Therapy provides a space to understand how ADHD impacts your life and what you need to feel steadier and more supported.

ADHD therapy focuses on:

• Executive function skills

• Emotional regulation

• Self-compassion and identity

• Coping tools for overwhelm

• Routines and habits that work for your brain

• Understanding how past experiences shape present patterns

With the right strategies, you’ll build confidence, structure, and clarity — not just short-term fixes.

What ADHD Therapy Looks Like

ADHD therapy isn’t about “trying harder.” It’s about working with your brain, not against it.

We’ll explore:

Executive Function Skills

• Planning and organizing

• Time management

• Task breakdown

• Starting and completing tasks

• Reducing avoidance and overwhelm

Emotional Regulation

ADHD often comes with:

• Rejection sensitivity

• Impulse reactions

• Shame spirals

• Overwhelm during conflict

• Difficulty calming down

Therapy helps you build emotional tools that reduce intensity and increase resilience.

Self-Compassion & Identity

Many adults with ADHD carry years of:

• Internalized failure

• Guilt or embarrassment

• Harsh self-talk

• Fear of judgment

Therapy helps you rewrite your internal narrative and rebuild confidence.

Strengths-Based Approach

ADHD also comes with strengths, including:

• Creativity

• Problem-solving

• Empathy

• Innovation

• Hyperfocus on meaningful tasks

We’ll identify what works for you and build systems that support your natural strengths.

ADHD + Anxiety, Depression, or Trauma

ADHD rarely exists on its own. Many adults also deal with:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Burnout

• Trauma responses

• Emotional exhaustion

These experiences can make ADHD symptoms feel more intense.

In therapy, we’ll address the full picture — not just one set of symptoms — so you get support that makes sense for your life.

ADHD and Relationships

ADHD affects communication, routines, expectations, and emotional regulation, which can spill into relationships with:

• Partners

• Family members

• Friends

• Coworkers

Therapy can help you:

• Understand your patterns

• Communicate needs more clearly

• Reduce emotional reactivity

• Build healthier boundaries

• Improve connection and confidence

ADHD in High-Achieving Adults

California is home to high-pressure environments — tech, healthcare, education, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and corporate settings. Many high-achieving adults with ADHD feel:

• “Not good enough” despite succeeding

• Afraid they’re falling behind

• Like they’re working twice as hard as others

• Burned out but unable to slow down

Therapy gives you the support and structure to reduce burnout and reclaim balance.

ADHD and Women / AFAB Adults

ADHD in women and AFAB adults is often overlooked because symptoms are internal, not disruptive. Many clients describe years of masking, compensating, and burning out.

Treatment can help with:

• Overwhelm

• Emotional exhaustion

• Household management

• Identity struggles

• Self-worth

• RSD (rejection sensitivity dysphoria)

ADHD therapy creates space for relief, self-understanding, and sustainable change.

What Sessions Look Like

Sessions are held via secure telehealth and tailored completely to your needs. We’ll collaborate to build:

• Practical strategies

• Emotional tools

• Skill-building exercises

• Systems designed for ADHD brains

• Consistent support

• A clearer, steadier internal landscape

Most clients begin with weekly sessions before shifting to biweekly once tools feel solid.

Insurance & Payment (California Clients)

I am in-network with:

• Aetna (California)

• UnitedHealthcare and subsidiaries (California)

• Lyra Health (EAP)

Private pay is available in all states using debit, credit, or HSA/FSA cards. Superbills are available for out-of-network plans.

Start ADHD Therapy in California

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, scattered, or exhausted by trying to keep up, ADHD therapy can help you understand your brain, reduce shame, and build systems that support the life you want.

The first step doesn’t have to be big — it just has to be yours.