For the entirety of my son Nicholas’ life I have kept two halves of my identity separate. My professional life as a therapist has been isolated from my life as a mother, specifically a special needs mother. The impetus for this came from my training as a psychoanalyst, an approach that teaches that a therapist should keep her personal life private from her clients.

Historically, school-age males have been the focus of ADHD diagnosis and treatment. However, in recent years there has been more discussion of how ADHD can look and feel different in women. Despite some concerns that ADHD is broadly over-diagnosed in our society, women are often under-diagnosed. The reason for this seems to be both symptomatic and cultural.

Learning about attachment styles and how they may impact your adult relationships can help demystify some of the otherwise baffling patterns that play out in relationships.

The next month marks the second year of the pandemic, an anniversary that may feel surreal to many of us. Know that if you are struggling with a range of emotions, that’s normal given the circumstances. You certainly aren’t alone. In light of this painful anniversary, I’ve created a list of coping suggestions to improve our mental health.

As lonely and isolating as parenting a child with special needs can feel, though, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Here, Christine Grounds, LCSW-R, answers questions about mental health when you’re the parent of a child with special needs.