You've spent your whole life working twice as hard to keep up. You've developed workarounds, learned to mask, and pushed through exhaustion that most people will never understand. And somewhere along the way, you started believing that you were the problem.
You're not the problem.
ADHD therapy for women isn't about fixing what's broken—because you aren't broken. It's about finally understanding how your brain works, releasing the shame you've been carrying, and building a life that actually fits who you are. I'm Kristen McClure, a licensed clinical social worker serving women throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. I specialize in helping ADHD women unlearn the shame
I'm Kristen McClure, a licensed clinical social worker serving women throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. I specialize in helping ADHD women unlearn the shame and embrace their authentic selves—while developing the skills they actually want to build.
Why Women Need Specialized ADHD Therapy
Traditional therapy often misses the mark for ADHD women. Conventional approaches were built around neurotypical brains and male presentations of ADHD. They focus on "fixing" behaviors without understanding the neurological differences driving them.
ADHD shows up differently in women. We're more likely to have the inattentive type, which often flies under the radar. We're socialized to mask our symptoms, to be "good girls," to hold everything together even when we're falling apart inside. By the time many women receive a diagnosis—often in their 30s, 40s, or beyond—they've accumulated decades of internalized shame.
ADHD therapy for women must account for these realities. It addresses not just executive functioning challenges, but the emotional weight of living undiagnosed in a world that constantly told you to try harder.
[H2]
Signs You May Benefit from ADHD Therapy
You might recognize yourself in some of these experiences:
You're exhausted from pretending. The mental energy it takes to appear "normal" at work or with friends leaves you depleted. You cancel plans, isolate yourself, and feel like you're living a double life.
You struggle with rejection sensitivity. A minor criticism can send you into a spiral of shame. You replay conversations for days. You interpret neutral comments as rejection. The pain feels physical.
You've been called "too much" or "too sensitive." Your emotions feel bigger than other people's. You've learned to suppress them, but they leak out anyway—often at the worst times.
You're successful on paper but struggling underneath. You've accomplished things through sheer force of will, anxiety-driven perfectionism, or last-minute panic. It works—until it doesn't. The coping strategies that got you here are now causing burnout.
Your symptoms got worse during hormonal changes. Puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause—your ADHD symptoms fluctuate with your hormones, and no one told you this was connected.
You received a late diagnosis and feel grief alongside relief. Finally having a name for your experience brings validation—but also anger about the years you spent blaming yourself.
My Neurodivergent-Affirming Approach
I don't see ADHD as a disorder to be fixed, but as a neurological difference to be understood and accommodated. The goal isn't to make you more neurotypical—it's to help you build a life that works with your brain instead of against it.
The Flourish Model: Five Core Skills
I developed the Flourish model specifically for ADHD women. It's built around five interconnected skills:
Self-Awareness: Understanding your unique ADHD brain—your triggers, patterns, and strengths. Learning to recognize when you're masking, when you're depleted, and what you actually need.
Self-Compassion: Releasing the shame narrative. Treating yourself with the same kindness you'd offer a friend. Rewriting the internal story from "I'm broken" to "I'm different, and that's okay."
Self-Care: Not bubble baths and face masks (unless those work for you). Real self-care means protecting your energy, managing sensory needs, and prioritizing rest in a world that demands constant productivity.
Self-Accommodation: Reshaping your environment to fit your brain. Creating systems, routines, and external supports that reduce friction—instead of forcing yourself into structures designed for neurotypical brains.
Self-Advocacy: Communicating your needs. Setting boundaries. Asking for accommodations at work. Speaking up in relationships. Trusting your own expertise about what you need to thrive.
What to Expect in Sessions
Therapy with me is collaborative, not prescriptive. I won't hand you a generic worksheet and call it treatment. We'll work together to understand your specific challenges and build strategies that fit your life.
Sessions blend deep emotional work with practical skill-building. We might explore the roots of your shame one week and problem-solve a specific work challenge the next. We'll address your relationship with yourself, with others, with time, and with the expectations you've internalized.
Above all, I offer a non-judgmental space where your experiences are believed and validated. You don't have to prove your struggles are real. You can show up exactly as you are.
Common Areas We Address
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD): The intense emotional pain triggered by perceived criticism or rejection. We'll develop strategies to recognize RSD episodes, regulate the emotional flooding, and reduce their impact on your relationships.
ADHD Masking and Burnout: The exhausting performance of neurotypicality. We'll explore where you're masking, what it costs you, and how to gradually unmask in safe contexts.
Executive Functioning: Time blindness, task initiation, organization, working memory. We'll build external systems that work with your brain—not generic productivity hacks.
Emotional Dysregulation: Big emotions that feel uncontrollable. We'll develop regulation skills that honor your sensitivity while helping you feel more grounded.
Hormonal Impacts: How your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause affect ADHD symptoms—and how to adapt your strategies accordingly.
Anxiety and Depression: Common companions to ADHD in women, often developed after years of struggling without support.Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an official ADHD diagnosis to work with you?
No. Many women come to me suspecting they have ADHD but without a formal diagnosis. We can work together regardless of your diagnostic status. If you want to pursue testing, I can guide you through that process.
Do you offer telehealth for clients outside Charlotte?
Yes! I provide telehealth therapy throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. You don't need to be in Charlotte—just licensed in one of these states.
How is ADHD therapy different from regular therapy?
ADHD therapy is informed by how neurodivergent brains actually work. I adapt evidence-based approaches to fit ADHD patterns—accounting for working memory limitations, time blindness, and rejection sensitivity.
Do you prescribe ADHD medication?
No. As a therapist (LCSW), I don't prescribe medication. However, I can help you think through medication decisions and coordinate with your psychiatric care.
What's the difference between ADHD therapy and ADHD coaching?
Coaching focuses on skills, strategies, and accountability. Therapy goes deeper—addressing emotional patterns, shame, trauma, and mental health conditions alongside practical skills. I offer both within our work together.
How long does ADHD therapy typically last?
This varies. Some women see significant progress in a few months. Others benefit from longer-term support through major life transitions. We'll regularly check in about your goals.
ADHD Therapy in North Carolina & South Carolina
I'm licensed to provide therapy in both North Carolina and South Carolina. I offer:
In-person sessions in Charlotte, NC
Telehealth sessions throughout North Carolina and South Carolina—including Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Asheville, Wilmington, Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, and everywhere in between.
Note: Due to high demand, I have limited availability for new individual clients. However, I also offer group programs and extensive free resources through my website and newsletter. Even if we can't work together one-on-one right now, I'm committed to supporting ADHD women however I can.
Start Your ADHD Therapy Journey
You don't have to keep pushing through alone. You don't have to keep pretending everything is fine. You deserve support that actually understands how your brain works.
If you're in North Carolina or South Carolina and ready to explore ADHD therapy, reach out. Even if I'm not currently taking new clients, I'm happy to point you toward resources or help you find another neurodivergent-affirming therapist.
Email me at kristenlynnmcclure@gmail.com
Learn More About ADHD in Women
→ RSD and ADHD: An Invisible Battle
→ ADHD Masking in Women: Recognizing the Signs
→ ADHD and Menopause: How Hormones Affect Symptoms
→ I Think I Have ADHD—What Should I Do?
