The Therapist Thrival Guide 106. ADHD in Women with Dr. Jennifer Dall
In this episode of The Therapist Thrival Guide, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Dall—former educator, now ADHD coach and consultant—to talk about something we both care deeply about: what ADHD actually looks like in women. Spoiler alert: it’s often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood.
We get into our own stories, the emotional toll of masking, and what it means to get a diagnosis later in life. Plus, we share practical tools like the Pomodoro Technique, body doubling, and ways to build structure that actually work with your brain, not against it.
This episode is full of honesty, insight, and encouragement—especially for those navigating ADHD in themselves or supporting someone who is.
OUR GUEST:
Dr. Jennifer Dall is a Grief-Informed Neurodivergence Specialist and the founder of ADHD Holistically, where she empowers individuals with ADHD to transform daily struggles into opportunities for growth and self-discovery. With over 25 years of experience as an educator and a background in ADHD coaching, yoga instruction, and grief education, Dr. Jennife offers a holistic, deeply personal approach to helping neurodivergent individuals thrive.
Diagnosed with ADHD in her 50s after years of being told she "couldn’t possibly have it," Dr. Jennifer knows firsthand the challenges of navigating misinformation and masking symptoms—especially for women diagnosed later in life. Now, she specializes in helping women identify what truly works for them, focusing on practical, quick-fix strategies that simplify daily life without relying on medication or a one-size-fits-all approach.
Through her courses, workshops, and speaking engagements, Dr. Jennifer equips women—and those who support them—to reframe their ADHD narratives and unlock their full potential. Her work also extends to therapists, life coaches, and HR professionals, offering comprehensive training to better support neurodivergent clients and employees.
Website: https://adhdholistically.com/
OUR HOST:
Miranda Barker, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for several years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, case manager, and the Director of Brand Content at Ellie Mental Health. Follow her on LinkedIn.
The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.
Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and has expanded to an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021.
Here’s what we cover:
01:22 – What ADHD can look like in women
03:16 – Personal stories + early signs
08:44 – Diagnosis, misconceptions, and being missed
22:05 – Masking + why it’s so exhausting
26:23 – Burnout in ADHD and autism
27:18 – Identity struggles that come with masking
28:40 – Podcast rec: Climbing the Walls
29:48 – Realizing your own ADHD through your kids
32:21 – Why everyday stuff can feel impossible
38:01 – Pomodoro, body doubling + other tools that help
42:40 – What Dr. Dall is creating next