How I Work with ADHD
Siri Austill, LCSW
As a therapist who was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age myself, I understand the challenges of living with ADHD and the impact it can have on your daily life, relationships, and self-confidence. Whether you’re a parent seeking support for a child or an adult managing ADHD on your own, my goal is to provide effective, compassionate care tailored to your unique needs.
Understanding ADHD:
What You’ve Been Told
vs.
What’s True
ADHD is genetic and developmental
It’s not something to “fix” or “cure.”
Holistic approach
Therapy isn’t just about symptom management—it’s about rewriting your relationship with yourself.
Many common assumptions about ADHD create false hope and frustration
“If I could just get organized, I wouldn’t feel overwhelmed.”
“If I find the perfect schedule, diet, or system, my brain will work predictably.”
“If I just push myself harder, I can overcome this.”
“Advice from neurotypical people should work for me if I try hard enough.”
ADHD doesn't exist in a vacuum
Family and societal expectations shape how we view ourselves. If you think, “I’m lazy, broken, undisciplined”, those are not your thoughts; they are echoes of outside judgment.
ADHD isn’t about willpower or effort
It’s about working with your brain, not against it.
It's OK to ask for help
Many people self-medicate with anxiety, procrastination, chaos, or substances—we explore why and find alternatives.
Shifting Your Mindset: What Actually Helps
Once we release old narratives, we can start focusing on what truly supports ADHD brains:
Reclaiming "Disability" as a Tool
Understanding legal accommodations and recognizing that ADHD brains function differently, not worse.
Community and Validation
Finding spaces that embrace you as you are, not as you “should” be.
Experimentation Over Perfection
ADHD thrives on play and curiosity—gamify routines, try new strategies, and embrace what actually works.
Self-Trust & Brain Awareness
Learning your unique patterns and needs so you can build sustainable strategies.
Strengths-Based Approach
ADHD brains have superpowers—let’s find and build on yours.
Exploring an ADHD Diagnosis and Finding the Right Support
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or just starting to explore ADHD, you might feel relief, validation, and uncertainty all at once. ADHD shapes how you think, feel, and move through the world—figuring out what support you need is just as personal as the diagnosis itself.
​
You don’t need a formal diagnosis to start therapy. If ADHD resonates with you, we can explore patterns, experiment with strategies, and decide if pursuing a diagnosis makes sense. If medication is part of your path, I can help you understand who to reach out to (psychiatrists vs. general practitioners) and how it fits into the bigger picture of ADHD management. But therapy goes beyond symptom control—it’s about identity, self-trust, and rewriting old narratives.
​
If you're looking for daily structure, organization, and productivity support, I can help. But if practical skill-building is your only focus and you’re not seeking emotional processing, an ADHD coach may be a better fit. Coaching offers structured accountability and action-oriented tools, while therapy helps you unlearn shame, process emotions, and shift deep-seated patterns. Many people benefit from both coaching and therapy at different points in their journey.
​
In therapy, we’ll explore what ADHD means for you—whether that’s making sense of lifelong struggles, learning to work with your brain instead of against it, or finding external supports like coaching, community, or technology. My goal is to help you build a life that fits you, not force you to fit into systems that don’t.
​
For those interested in coaching alongside therapy, you can explore the ADHD Coaches Organization to find a coach that fits your needs.
Skills:
Samples of themes we might explore in session
ADHD Cycles: Learning to Work With Your Energy
01.
The Low Phase (“Blob-Out”)
-
You feel stuck, unable to do even basic tasks.
-
This is your brain recovering and recalibrating—not failure.
-
The more you lean into rest, the sooner energy will return.
02.
The Peak Phase (“Winning at Life!”)
-
Everything flows—you get a month’s worth of work done in days.
-
Follow your energy! You may not control what you’re motivated to do, but you can ride the wave.
03.
The Waning Phase (“Running Out of Spoons”)
-
Productivity slows, but you’re tempted to push harder.
-
Warning: This is the danger zone. If you ignore your limits, you’ll crash harder.
-
Instead, prioritize what truly needs to get done, let go of unnecessary tasks, and transition into rest before burnout hits.
04.
How to Work With Your Cycles
-
Expect slumps mid-project—lean into excitement at the start and firm deadlines at the end to get things done.
-
Create external accountability so your motivation isn’t your only driver.
The Last Word:You Are Not Broken
The world wasn’t built for ADHD brains, but that doesn’t mean we need to force ourselves to fit.
Therapy can help you:
-
Break free from shame and unrealistic expectations.
-
Work with your natural energy cycles instead of fighting them.
-
Build custom systems that fit you, not ones designed for neurotypical brains.
-
Reconnect with your strengths and reclaim confidence in yourself.
Additional Resources
A directory to find certified ADHD coaches
Offers articles, webinars, and resources on ADHD management
Provides support and information for individuals with ADHD and their families
Focuses on adult ADHD and offers resources and support groups
Offers resources for people with learning and attention issues, including ADHD
Comprehensive information on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), including symptoms, causes, treatments, and related resources