ADHD & Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy in Illinois & Arizona

woman looking at papers looking stressed

Do You Feel Like Everyday Life Takes More Effort Than It Should?

Do you have ideas, intentions, and goals—but struggle to turn them into action? Are you exhausted from trying to stay organized, manage your emotions, or meet expectations that never seem to fit the way your mind works?

You might find yourself:

  • Struggling to begin tasks, manage time, or follow through—even when something matters to you.

  • Feeling overwhelmed by noise, competing demands, or unexpected changes.

  • Forgetting appointments or losing track of everyday responsibilities.

  • Replaying conversations and worrying that you were misunderstood.

  • Hiding your difficulties throughout the day, only to feel drained when you finally have time alone.

Perhaps you have an ADHD diagnosis, identify as autistic or otherwise neurodivergent, or are beginning to explore these possibilities. Finding language for your experiences may bring relief, alongside questions about what comes next.

At Compassionate Healing Psychotherapy, we offer a supportive space to understand your needs, work through emotional challenges, and develop strategies that fit the way your mind works.

Trying To Keep Up Can Leave You Feeling Worn Out

You may have spent years hearing that you need to try harder, be more consistent, or stop being so sensitive. Over time, those messages can become your own inner voice.

Perhaps you push yourself until you are exhausted, avoid tasks that feel overwhelming, and then criticize yourself for falling behind. Other people may see your accomplishments without recognizing how much effort they require.

Therapy offers room to understand these patterns with greater compassion. Together, we can explore what makes daily life difficult, recognize what already supports you, and find more sustainable ways to move forward.

 Questions About ADHD & Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy? Contact Us!

There Is More Than One Way To Think, Feel, And Experience The World

Many workplaces, schools, and social environments expect people to focus, communicate, organize tasks, and handle sensory input in similar ways. When your needs differ from those expectations, everyday life can require considerable extra effort.

“Neurodivergent” is a broad term rather than a diagnosis. People may use it to describe experiences associated with ADHD, autism, learning differences, and other variations in how the mind works. Each person’s strengths, challenges, and support needs are different.

You can appreciate who you are and still want help with the parts of life that are difficult. Therapy makes space for both.

colleagues talking

Being Told To “Try Harder” Doesn’t Address What You Need

A planner or productivity system may help with some tasks, but advice alone can overlook the reasons something feels difficult. You may need clearer steps, fewer distractions, more recovery time, or a different kind of support.

You may also have learned to mask—to hide or closely monitor parts of yourself to fit in. This might involve rehearsing conversations, suppressing movement, or appearing comfortable when you feel overwhelmed.

Together, we can explore the demands you are managing and the cost of constantly adapting. Therapy can help you identify practical supports, set realistic expectations, and communicate your needs in ways that feel safe and useful.

 
 
man smiling in therapy session

Therapy Can Help You Feel More Supported And More Like Yourself

Neurodivergent-affirming therapy begins with respect for how you experience the world. Your goals guide our work, whether you want help managing daily responsibilities, navigating relationships, reducing overwhelm, or understanding yourself following a recent diagnosis.

At Compassionate Healing Psychotherapy, we combine practical skill building with attention to your emotional wellbeing. We use evidence-based approaches where appropriate, including CBT for adult ADHD, and tailor additional strategies to the concerns you bring to therapy.

Our work together may focus on:

  • Making tasks, routines, and transitions more manageable.

  • Understanding emotional overwhelm and developing coping skills.

  • Recognizing sensory needs and allowing time for recovery.

  • Working through shame, self-criticism, or painful experiences.

  • Building boundaries and communicating needs in relationships.

  • Exploring identity and developing greater self-trust.

We offer virtual therapy for clients across Illinois and Arizona.

What To Expect In ADHD & Neurodivergent-Affirming Counseling Sessions

We begin by learning about your daily life: what feels hardest, what matters to you, and when you feel most comfortable or engaged. We will also discuss what you have already tried and what made those approaches helpful or frustrating.

You do not need to arrive with a perfectly organized explanation. We can work together to identify patterns and priorities at a pace that feels manageable.

Your goals might include starting tasks with less overwhelm, responding differently during conflict, or having enough energy left for the things you enjoy. We will check in about what is working and adjust our approach as needed.

We can also discuss what makes therapy more accessible for you, such as a clearer session structure, written takeaways, room to move, or additional time to process questions.

Tailoring Your Therapy To The Way Your Mind Works

Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (EMDR)

If you have experienced trauma alongside ADHD or other neurodivergent experiences, EMDR may be an appropriate part of your care.

EMDR is an evidence-based treatment for PTSD. It can be considered when traumatic experiences continue to cause distress or affect your sense of safety.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, and EMDR does not treat or remove ADHD itself. When trauma is part of your experience, we can assess whether EMDR fits your goals and adapt preparation and pacing to your needs.

Radical Acceptance And DBT-Informed Skills

Radical acceptance is a skill drawn from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). It involves acknowledging what is happening in the present without adding judgment or blame.

Acceptance can make room for a more useful response: “This is difficult for me today. What support would help?” It does not require approving of unfair treatment, abandoning goals, or giving up on change.

Alongside other DBT-informed skills, radical acceptance can support work on emotional distress, frustration, and self-criticism. We may use these skills to help you navigate difficult moments while making choices that serve your wellbeing.

 
 

 You May Have Some Questions About ADHD & Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy…

You Deserve Support That Makes Room For The Way Your Mind Works

You do not have to keep handling overwhelm, self-doubt, or exhaustion on your own. Therapy can offer space to understand your experiences and take manageable steps toward a life that better supports you. To learn more about ADHD and neurodivergent-affirming therapy at Compassionate Healing Psychotherapy, can call 602-715-0501, or use the contact form.  We look forward to working with you!

Our office has locations in Chicago, Illinois, and Phoenix, Arizona. 

Virtual therapy available across Illinois and Arizona.

 
 
 

Meet our ADHD & Neurodivergent Therapists

  • Iwona Florianowicz smiling at the camera

    Iwona Florianowicz

    FOUNDER / CLINICAL DIRECTOR / SUPERVISOR
    Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LCPC) - Illinois; Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) - Arizona; Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II (CCTP-II); Clinical Supervisor Certified (CSC)

    Telehealth Across Illinois and Arizona

  • Bianca smiles at the camera

    Bianca Berryhill

    Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

    National Certified Counselor (NCC)

    Telehealth Across Illinois

ADHD & Neurodivergent-Therapy Phoenix

13421 S 37th Pl,
Phoenix, AZ 85044

 

ADHD & Neurodivergent-Therapy Chicago

25 E Washington St Ste 1206,
Chicago, IL 60602