ODL 351: Beyond the Diagnosis: Understanding ADHD in Adult Women

Created On: 8/18/25   

Attention Case Managers ONLY: CCMC expires on this course on 8/8/26 and will not be renewed. Please complete before this date.                 

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.

Counselor Skill Groups: 

2. Clinical Assessment
3. Treatment Plan
4. Counseling Services
6. Case Management

Overview:

This 5-hour intermediate-level continuing education training provides a comprehensive exploration of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adulthood, with an emphasis on the unique experiences of women. While ADHD has traditionally been studied and diagnosed in children—often boys—many women remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed well into adulthood. This session examines the biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors contributing to underdiagnosis in women, explores the impact of hormones across the female lifespan, and discusses the clinical implications of ADHD in areas such as identity, relationships, parenting, and workplace functioning.

Participants will gain skills in the clinical assessment and diagnosis of adult ADHD, with tools tailored to capture the internalized and masked symptoms often seen in women. The course also reviews evidence-based treatments, including psychotherapy, coaching, medication, and psychosocial supports, to assist clinicians in developing effective, culturally competent, and individualized interventions. Case vignettes and lived experience narratives will illustrate the complexity of ADHD presentation in adult women.

This training is appropriate for mental health professionals working with adult clients and will equip participants with the tools and knowledge to better support adult women navigating life with ADHD.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participant will be able to:

• Describe the core diagnostic criteria and neurobiological underpinnings of ADHD in adulthood, including how the condition presents differently in women across the lifespan.
• Analyze the impact of gender biases and hormonal fluctuations (e.g., menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause) on the presentation and diagnosis of ADHD in women.
• Identify common co-occurring conditions in women with ADHD and explain how these may influence clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
• Apply evidence-based assessment tools and culturally competent clinical interviewing techniques to accurately assess and diagnose ADHD in adult women.
• Evaluate treatment modalities—including psychotherapy, coaching, and pharmacologic interventions—and construct individualized care plans that support women with ADHD in various life domains.

Presenter:

Megan D’Angelo,  MA, LMHC, and ADHD Coach

Megan D’Angelo, MA, LMHC, is a licensed counselor with over 13 years of experience working within the mental health field. Over the past 13 years, Megan has worked with children and adults in a variety of settings including private practice, group practice, and community agencies.

Megan currently runs a solo private practice.  In her practice, Megan primarily serves neurodiverse individuals, new mothers, people struggling with bipolar disorder, and those loving a family member struggling with addiction.

Surrounded by ADHD in both her professional and personal life, Megan also practices ADHD coaching for executive functioning challenges. In coaching, she combines her passion for helping people with a forward-focused, creative, and empowering way to understand, accept, and manage ADHD symptoms.

Megan holds a bachelor’s degree in English and psychology from Augustana College. She earned her master’s in mental health counseling from Webster University. Megan is licensed to practice therapy in both Washington and Wisconsin.

Currently, Megan lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband, son, two Siamese cats, and senior dog (her first baby).  When she’s not in the office, you can find her reading, hiking, eating spicy food, and laughing with family and friends.