Dr. Carole Goguen, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist (CA PSY 17685)
ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider
25+ years clinical experience
ADHD Therapist for Women
Serving All of California
Late-Night Therapy
As Late As 10 pm
"For me, it’s an ever-present nagging feeling that something is just ‘not right.’ I can never really, truly ‘make it right.’ I have to learn to live with the all-consuming feeling of mental discomfort.”
Ready to
Quiet the Chaos?
You've probably tried to explain it to someone and watched their eyes glaze over. Because from the outside, it doesn't look like a problem. You're smart. You're capable. You get things done — eventually. So why does every day feel like you're running a race in shoes that don't fit, on a track that was designed for someone else entirely?
For women with ADHD, the chaos isn't just external. It's the mental tab overload at 2 am. It's the meeting you prepared for twice and still felt behind in. It's apologizing — again — for something you genuinely didn't mean to forget. It's the exhaustion of working twice as hard as everyone around you just to keep up, and still wondering what's wrong with you.
Nothing is wrong with you. Your brain works differently — and with the right support, that difference becomes something you understand, work with, and even appreciate.
That's what therapy here is built to do.
Carole Goguen, PsyD
The Female Face of ADHD
Stereotypical Symptoms: Traditional ADHD research often focused on hyperactive symptoms, which are more common in boys. This can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment for women whose symptoms are more subtle, such as difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and disorganization.
Masking and "Keeping It Together": You find yourself "masking" your symptoms—hiding your forgetfulness, disorganization, or emotional overwhelm—just to meet societal expectations. This means spending hours preparing for a meeting that others seem to breeze through or staying up late organizing your home so others don't see the mess.
Struggling to Say “No": Many women are taught to be agreeable, nurturing, and accommodating, which can make it difficult to set boundaries. With ADHD, this often leads to overcommitting yourself—whether it’s agreeing to take on extra projects at work or saying yes to every social event. You find yourself stretched thin, trying to please everyone while neglecting your own needs.
Menstrual Cycle Mood Swings: In the days leading up to your period, you notice a sharp increase in irritability, frustration, or emotional sensitivity. What felt manageable last week now feels overwhelming. Tasks that usually take some effort suddenly feel impossible, and the emotional rollercoaster makes it hard to stay focused or organized. You find yourself more reactive in relationships, snapping at loved ones or withdrawing due to feeling emotionally flooded.
Disrupted Sleep Patterns During Menopause: Nighttime hot flashes and insomnia, which are common during perimenopause and menopause, can wreak havoc on sleep quality. For women with ADHD, already prone to disrupted sleep patterns, this can further deteriorate your ability to function during the day. The lack of rest leads to heightened ADHD symptoms like forgetfulness, irritability, and lack of focus, making daily tasks feel monumental.
Postpartum Overwhelm: After giving birth, the sudden drop in estrogen can leave you feeling more mentally scattered than ever. Combined with sleep deprivation, this hormonal shift can make it difficult to focus, manage time, or stay on top of daily tasks. You forget feeding schedules, lose track of doctor’s appointments, or struggle to balance baby care with personal self-care. The added mental load of new motherhood, paired with ADHD, feels like you’re drowning in the smallest tasks.
Communication Difficulties: Women with ADHD might struggle to express themselves clearly or listen attentively, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts in relationships. They may also have difficulty staying on topic or avoiding tangents during conversations.
Emotional Regulation: Fluctuating emotions, common in ADHD, can be challenging to manage in relationships. Women with ADHD may experience sudden mood swings or outbursts, which can strain their connections with loved ones.
The Pressure to “Do It All”: Society often expects women to juggle multiple roles—whether it’s excelling in their careers, maintaining a home, managing family life, or social relationships. For a woman with ADHD, this "superwoman" expectation can feel impossible to meet. You find yourself overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything, feeling like you’re falling short in all areas—missing deadlines at work, forgetting family obligations, or not having the energy to maintain a spotless home. The constant juggling act leads to guilt and burnout.
Here's How I Can Help
Imagine staying focused on the task at hand and completing it efficiently and on time. Your mornings start with a clear plan, making it easier to get ready and tackle the day without rushing. You're fully present in conversations — listening deeply and responding thoughtfully — which leads to stronger, more connected relationships. You follow through on commitments, whether it's arriving at a meeting prepared or finishing a personal project, and you end the day with a genuine sense of accomplishment, living in alignment with your goals.
A Tailored Approach for Women with ADHD
Women with ADHD often face daily challenges that can differ significantly from those experienced by men. Intense emotions, masking symptoms to fit societal norms, and hormonal fluctuations are just a few examples. In our sessions, we will address these specific challenges head-on.
We'll explore how societal expectations and cultural pressures can shape your ADHD experience and work towards strategies that empower you to break free from these constraints. Understanding these gender-specific nuances will enable us to develop a more personalized and effective approach to your therapy.
Joining Forces to Learn New Skills and Strategies
Together, we'll work on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns that contribute to procrastination, disorganization, and low self-esteem. We'll focus on practical techniques to help you prioritize tasks, manage clutter, and stay on track with deadlines. You can discover practices to improve your focus, reduce impulsivity, and manage stress effectively.
Developing the Ability to Pause and Think Before Acting
This skill is vital for managing impulsivity and making more thoughtful decisions. Additionally, we'll work on strategies to overcome procrastination and maintain focus until tasks are completed. Recognizing and understanding your emotional triggers and responses will be another important area of focus. By gaining insight into these triggers, you can be better equipped to manage your reactions and maintain emotional balance.
Working Together to Develop Effective Communications
We'll work on helping you express your needs and desires clearly and respectfully. You can also learn skills for handling disagreements and resolving conflicts constructively. These communication skills will enhance your relationships and help you navigate social interactions with greater confidence and ease.
Preparing for Unexpected Challenges
Life is full of unexpected challenges, and being prepared for them is crucial. Together we'll explore strategies for anticipating potential obstacles and finding practical solutions. This proactive approach will help you feel more in control and better equipped to handle whatever comes your way.
You've Spent Long Enough
Trying to Figure This Out Alone.
You don't have to keep white-knuckling your way through every day. The strategies that work for everyone else were never built for your brain — and that's not a personal failing, it's just a fact. What changes everything is having someone in your corner who genuinely understands how your mind works and knows how to help you work with it.
That's exactly what I'm here for. When you're ready, I'd love to talk.