Therapy with Alex G
ADHD & Low Motivation Therapy
ADHD, low motivation, procrastination, and depression counseling for pre-teens, teens, and adults in Santa Barbara, CA.
Make Sense of ADHD, Low Motivation, and Life’s Challenges
Living with ADHD can feel like you're constantly juggling thoughts, tasks, and emotions, making it hard to stay focused or motivated. Procrastination and low motivation can become barriers to success, leaving you feeling stuck or frustrated. Sometimes, the stress of trying to keep up can even lead to feelings of depression, as it’s easy to lose hope or withdraw from things that once brought you joy. If you’re struggling to make sense of it all, you're not alone, and you don't have to face it in silence.
Let me help!
Therapy can help you understand how ADHD and low motivation may be holding you back. Together, we’ll work to develop practical strategies that will help you regain control, find balance, and move forward with confidence.
ADHD & Low Motivation Can Show Up As…
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting children and adults. It is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can interfere with daily activities, academic or occupational performance, and social relationships. Symptoms of ADHD often appear before age seven, but may not be noticed until school-age children have difficulty with attention or self-control. The exact causes of ADHD are still unclear, but research suggests that genetics, environmental factors, and brain development all play a role. ADHD can also be hard to diagnose because it has many symptoms that are similar to other conditions and is often confused with learning disorders, mood disorders, conduct disorders, and other types of behavioral problems. If you feel that you may have ADHD or you have an ADHD diagnosis, treatment and support can be instrumental in helping you lead a successful and fulfilling life. Therapy with me can assist you in gaining a better understanding of your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your day-to-day life. In particular, we will work on specific skills to help you develop organizational systems, build up your time management, regulate your emotions, and improve your ability to pay attention and focus. I will also help you become more aware of your strengths and capabilities so that you can utilize your natural talents. In addition, therapy will assist you in honing your communication skills, which can help you improve your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. You have so much to offer, and your uniqueness deserves to be cultivated.
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that affects one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In particular, you may start to notice increasing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in your usual activities. Depression may also cause changes in your sleep patterns and make it difficult for you to concentrate or make decisions. This can lead you to feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable, struggling to get through each day. While working with me, I will provide you with a supportive and non-judgmental environment where you can explore and address the underlying issues contributing to your depression. Together, we will identify and work to change your negative thought patterns and re-frame how you think about yourself. I will also help you learn how to redirect your thoughts and feelings, deepen your understanding of your emotions, build up your resilience, and find hope for a brighter future.
Low Motivation
While it’s normal to feel unmotivated occasionally, if you notice that your motivation is constantly decreasing, it may be a sign that something needs to change. Low motivation can be a challenging issue to deal with, as it may lead you to procrastinate and put off important tasks. It can also cause you to make bad decisions that negatively impact your life and the lives of those around you. You may also feel drained and exhausted, making it difficult to get through your day. When experiencing low motivation, it's important to identify the underlying cause, which could be related to a lack of clarity around your goals, a sense of overwhelm, burnout, or mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Together we will focus your efforts, explore your desires and wants, and set realistic goals. I can also help you develop new strategies to overcome obstacles that may be holding you back and assist you in identifying ways to interrupt procrastination. I will provide you with a space to explore your reasons for wanting to increase your motivation and develop strategies to achieve your goals. We will also work on challenging your negative thought patterns and identify skills to improve your motivation, such as goal-setting and problem-solving. Finally, therapy with me will also assist you in overcoming your ambivalence toward change and help you to find the motivation to take action.
Procrastination
Procrastination often stems from deeper issues like fear of failure, perfectionism, or self-doubt. It can feel like you're stuck in a loop—putting things off, even when you know they need to be done. You may constantly feel overwhelmed by tasks and avoid starting them altogether, leading to a sense of frustration, guilt, or even shame. This cycle can erode your confidence and keep you from reaching your potential. Therapy can help you understand the underlying causes of your procrastination and develop strategies to break the cycle. Together, we’ll address the fears and beliefs that keep you from taking action, so you can start making progress and feel better about moving forward.
