ADHD Therapy for Women and Mothers

No. Many women who work with Birth Feelings come without a formal ADHD diagnosis, and some never pursue one. What brings them is recognition: a set of patterns, described somewhere, that finally sounds like their experience. If you recognize yourself in these patterns, that is a valid place to begin.

ADHD therapy is not just about managing symptoms. It is about understanding how your brain works in the context of your life, your identity, and your relationships. At Birth Feelings, the work moves in two directions at once: building practical strategies that actually work with your brain, and addressing the deeper emotional weight that accumulates over a lifetime of feeling misunderstood.

Yes. Research supports cognitive behavioral therapy adapted for ADHD as an evidence-based approach. It addresses the thought patterns and behavioral cycles that ADHD generates, including perfectionism, procrastination, and all-or-nothing thinking. At Birth Feelings, evidence-based approaches are integrated in a way that is tailored to each woman's history and the specific demands of her life.

ADHD in women rarely looks like the hyperactive child in a textbook. It often presents as internal restlessness rather than visible movement, high external performance masking a quiet internal struggle, emotional sensitivity, rejection sensitivity, and a chronic sense of being behind no matter how hard you try. Many women are diagnosed late, or not at all, because they have learned to mask effectively over time. This is precisely why Birth Feelings focuses specifically on women's experience of ADHD.

Yes. Many women first recognize their ADHD in full force after becoming mothers, because the executive function demands of parenting remove the scaffolding that previously kept symptoms manageable. The mental load of tracking schedules, managing transitions, and regulating your own emotions while holding space for a child is relentless work. Hormonal shifts during pregnancy and the postpartum period also interact with ADHD symptoms in ways that can intensify them significantly.

Yes. Dr. Branda offers virtual therapy sessions throughout California via telehealth, including Los Angeles, the Bay Area, San Diego, and beyond. In-person sessions are available at the Santa Monica office. If you are unsure which format suits you best, that is a good question to bring to the free 15-minute consultation.

The initial session is 60 minutes and costs $350. All follow-up sessions are 50 minutes at $300 per session. Birth Feelings is out-of-network, meaning sessions are not billed directly to insurance. A superbill is provided at the end of each month, which you can submit to your insurance carrier for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Most women begin to notice meaningful shifts within 8 to 12 sessions, though this varies based on the complexity of the presenting concerns and what has accumulated over time. Some women pursue longer-term therapy to work through the self-esteem and relational patterns that have built up around a lifetime of unrecognized ADHD. The timeline is something Dr. Branda discusses during the intake conversation, based on where you are starting and what you are hoping to move toward.

Yes. Therapy is a standalone, evidence-based treatment for ADHD, not only a complement to medication. Many women prefer non-medication approaches, and the work at Birth Feelings is designed to be effective without requiring a medication decision. If questions about medication come up in the course of the work, Dr. Branda can discuss options and, where appropriate, refer you to a prescriber for evaluation.

The first session is a conversation. Dr. Branda will spend time understanding what brought you here, how your mind works, where you feel most stuck, and what has shaped your experience over time. You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. Many women leave the first session feeling seen in a way they have not experienced before, and that is often the most important thing that happens.