Maureen O'Donnell

my sessions are conversational and collaborative. I work to help you make sense of the trauma you're carrying, especially from growing up with difficult and emotionally unsafe parents. We'll explore how those early experiences formed your core beliefs and the patterns you slip in to even when you don't want to, which can also happen with women with ADHD.

explore the beliefs you developed in survival mode, things like "I'm too much" or "I have to handle everything myself." We'll also look at how your nervous system has stored this: the tightness that shows up when bracing for criticism, the shutdown when conflict feels imminent, the overindependence that kicks in.

warm and affirming. I'll often hear my clients saying "I've never felt comfortable telling anyone this before." I've actually gotten an award from my last position for being the "most approachable." My clients often tell me that they leave the first session feeling lighter, heard, and relieved. I'm also a big fan of Frog and Toad and Dolly Parton.

grew up with difficult, unavailable, or emotionally unsafe parents and are still figuring out how to interact with them. This can apply for women with ADHD, too -- people who learned to stay small, strong, hyper-independent in order to survive or appear to be thriving.

My road to becoming a therapist was a bit convoluted! I started working in mental health as a music therapist. I still have strong beliefs about using creative arts or nonverbal methods in therapy. We can develop verbal filters that other modalities can break through.

I have a cozy office in Smyrna. I have a certification as an ADHD certified clinical services provider and am currently working on my trauma-informed yoga certification. I'm looking forward to including more somatic work in my practice!