ADHD & Academic/Career Performance Therapy

Casen Psychology | Sara Casen, PhD

What my clients often tell me….

I've read every piece of productivity advice I can find, built frameworks, tried various systems, and downloaded the apps, but I still feel very scattered.

Yet again I have pushed off a project that felt insurmountable, leaving me staring at a blank screen at midnight the day of the deadline, wondering why the path forward feels so steep.

Other people see me as accomplished, driven, creative, and high-performing, but my productivity comes in unpredictable bursts that leave me feeling exhausted.

Even when I succeed, I feel behind, disorganized, and sometimes like a fraud. I feel like there is a gap between my potential and my daily reality.

You might be experiencing one or more of the following…..

  • Task initiation feels impossible, even when the stakes are high. Despite a looming deadline and much investment in the outcome, getting started seems very challenging.

  • Every little interruption slows the momentum once the task gets underway. Getting back on track takes longer than the interruption itself.

  • Previous coping mechanisms, though perhaps sufficient for more structured settings with external scaffolding (high school, entry-level positions, etc), are inadequate in the face of escalating academic/professional demands.

  • An emotional overlay that accompanies the struggles with attention, impulse control, and focus. This may include: internalized shame; guilt; frustration; and the emotional (and physical!) exhaustion of "keeping it together."

  • Missed details, forgotten commitments, and struggles with staying mentally present, creating friction in relationships and a feeling of disconnection.

How can therapy help?

Shift in mindset: Psychoeducation around ADHD as a neurological difference, rather than a "character flaw," can reduce feelings of shame and self-blame.

Building custom systems: Productivity can be improved by creating tailored strategies based on unique strengths, environmental demands, or energy rhythms.

Bridging the gap: The distance between potential and actual output can be narrowed.

Conserving your energy: Rather than expending emotional energy on shame and avoidance, channel it directly into setting and meeting goals.

Our work together

Using CBT, we can look directly at the thoughts accompanying your avoidance, perfectionism, and freeze responses. We'll explore why the sticky ADHD loop of "I'll start when I feel ready" happens, and we'll build a collection of practical tools to disrupt the loop, and boost productivity.

Psychodynamic work can help when ADHD has gone unrecognized for years, and narratives have built up around being "lazy," "inconsistent," or "not living up to potential." Untangling that narrative is often as important as practical skill-building.

Psychoeducation and Executive Function coaching are also significant to my work with individuals with ADHD. Providing neurological context to help better understand how your brain functions can serve to reduce self judgement and blame. Creating specifically tailored strategies can help boost productivity as standard advice may not take into account how the ADHD brain operates. Developing an arsenal of effective tools can be impactful when they fit your unique cognitive style.

What to expect

The first few session(s) serve to paint a picture of your academic history, your work patterns, moments where things have "fallen apart," and moments where things have felt "on track." This helps us hone in on where to focus.

We set goals and reflect on movement towards them as our work progresses.

Homework helps to extend our work between sessions; I often give specific reflection exercises, experiments, and/or strategies to try between sessions.

Might this be a good fit for you?

I specialize in working with high achievers in their 20s and 30s, particularly individuals enrolled in demanding college and graduate programs, and those navigating intense professional spaces. Many of my clients have goals around building careers in academia, tech, law, and entertainment, and I'm familiar with the excitement and the challenges of working in these fields.

Some of my clients have a formal ADHD diagnosis, and others come to therapy suspecting it, but never having been formally assessed. Either way, if the patterns described here resonate, it may be worth exploring further to help you move towards your goals.

Often individuals seek therapy when they feel they have not truly benefitted from standard "coaching" and/or productivity hacks; therapy can provide additional layers of support by addressing underlying emotional and psychological issues.

Fees

I offer a complimentary phone consultation to discuss your needs, answer your questions, and ensure we are a good fit. During this call, we will also review scheduling and payment. I can provide a detailed superbill for you to submit to your insurance company if out-of-network reimbursement is a possibility. A limited number of sliding scale slots may be available for clients with financial need. Reach out and we can talk through what might be possible.

Questions people ask before booking

  • No, a formal diagnosis isn't required to start therapy. Feel free to reach out if these patterns resonate, and they're affecting your functioning.

  • Therapy. Our work together includes focusing on the thought patterns, emotional responses, and deeper narratives fueling the struggles.

  • People often seek therapy if they find there's a consistent gap between what they're capable of and what they're actually producing; or if managing that gap is costing them in terms of energy, stress, or self-esteem.

  • Many individuals with ADHD already know what they "should" do. Our work together explores why things are not getting done, and building the conditions that can make desired goals a possibility.

You don't have to keep managing this alone.

Whenever it feels right for you, let's schedule a consultation to chat about your needs.

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