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ADHD Services

Whether you have been:

diagnosed with ADHD since you were 5… or 35.

told and assessed for ADHD by several therapists already

assessed thoroughly by a neuropsychologist, report and all

managing well with a coach, but wondering about medication…

I love working with ADHD!

In addition to medications, we always discuss your life as a whole: supports and lifestyle factors are always considered in addition to medication. We can cover:

  • Medications

    • We’re careful: “start low and go slow”

    • Non-stimulant options

    • Visual aids to understand options

  • Supplements (and their pros/cons)

  • Lifestyle measures (sleep, movement, exercise, tech usage, etc)

  • Finding calming practices you like

  • Connecting to affordable coaching support

  • Tips and strategies for your brain

  • Offering ADHD-informed psychotherapy, or connecting you to great therapist matches

If you’re in need of assessment, I offer basic testing myself and partner with several in-network and out-of-network services that allow you to get in-depth assessment.

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Dr. Patricia Pop, psychiatrist and therapist in Palo Alto and Burlingame, CA. Photo of her smiling with glasses and long hair sitting on a light-colored sofa in front of a blue wall with artwork, smiling.

I have a soft place in my heart for ADHD: I’ve been there too

Maybe you’ve already tried meds or some self-help. Maybe it’s helped somewhat, but you know there must be more.

As a fellow ADHD-er myself, I have a special place in my heart for the creative fun-loving type that tries so very hard, but is just somehow still spinning their wheels.

The little girls who were weird, spacey, just a touch offbeat.

The boys who repeatedly got told “why can’t you just?!”

These subtle (and not-so-subtle) messages from society and family can seep into your bones — have you listened to your inner critic lately?

It’s time to start reversing that.

Together, we’ll discuss “psychoeducation” (fancy for learning) about ADHD from a shame-free compassionate lens (that still validates the struggle).

Then, we’ll discuss the factors at play: the demands on top of you, the support below you, the biological factors in between (hormones, movement, nutrition, and meds!). Don’t forget societal constructs and expectations (I see you, women and mothers)!

You want an ongoing, supportive relationship with someone who truly listens and tailors care to you.

You’re craving growth, clarity, and a kinder, more compassionate relationship with yourself.

Available remotely throughout California, based on the San Francisco Bay Area Peninsula

The benefits of working with

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A Psychiatrist Who Gets It

I'm board-certified, Stanford-trained, and I have ADHD myself. These feed into my understanding of the neuroscience, treatments, and a version of the lived experience: the creative highs, the executive function lows, and a sticky inner critic that often likes to run the show.

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Tailored, Not Templated

I like to say: “every body is different”.

Our bodies don’t read the textbook.

Some of my patients need careful medication fine-tuning. Others need help untangling anxiety first (they travel together). Some want coaching referrals, supplement guidance, or deeper therapeutic work.

We figure out your version.

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More Than Medication

Medication can be a game-changer, but it's rarely the whole story. I also do therapy, and I look at the full picture: sleep, hormones, relationships, work demands, lifestyle, and the thought patterns that have built up over years of trying harder and still feeling behind.

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What Working Together Actually Looks Like

Work with me is always about connection.

You won't get a 15-minute med check with me. My practice is built for people who want a real, ongoing relationship with a clinician who listens, thinks carefully, and has a wide toolkit.

A first visit with me is two hours. Here's what we typically cover:

  • Your full history (not just a symptom checklist)

  • What's been tried before and what actually helped

  • The demands on your plate right now, and the support underneath you

  • Whether medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, or some combination makes sense

  • A clear, collaborative plan you actually feel good about

Many of my ADHD patients also deal with:

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • PMDD

  • Burnout

  • Perfectionism

  • Negative self talk

Common Questions About ADHD Treatment

Do I need a formal diagnosis before coming to you?

Ideally, yes. I work best with patients who've already been assessed, whether by a neuropsychologist, a previous psychiatrist, or a thorough evaluation from a therapist. If you haven't been formally assessed yet, I offer basic screening and can connect you with in-network and out-of-network neuropsychologists for comprehensive testing.

I've been on stimulants for years and they help, but I still feel stuck. Can you help?

This is actually one of my favorite clinical puzzles. Medication alone often handles the focus piece but leaves everything else untouched: the anxiety underneath, the negative self-talk, the relationship patterns, the burnout. That's where a med switch, therapy, coaching, exercise, can come in.

Do you only prescribe stimulants?

No. I'm careful and thoughtful about medication choices. We'll talk through stimulant and non-stimulant options, weigh the evidence together, and make a decision that fits your body, your life, and your comfort level. I always start low and go slow.

What's your approach to ADHD in women?

ADHD in women is chronically underdiagnosed, often masked by anxiety, perfectionism, or sheer effort. I pay close attention to hormonal factors (menstrual cycle, perimenopause, postpartum) that can dramatically shift how ADHD shows up. I also take seriously the emotional toll of years spent compensating.

Do you accept insurance?

I'm a private-pay practice, which means I'm out-of-network with all insurances. I can provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.

I do work with Stanford residents through Aetna/Wellconnect.

How do virtual visits work?

All my visits are via secure telehealth. You can be anywhere in California. Most of my patients are in the San Francisco Bay Area, Peninsula (Palo Alto, Burlingame, Redwood City, Mountain View, Menlo Park), and the coastside, but I see patients throughout the state.

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ADHD Treatment That Goes Deeper

  • Understand why your brain works the way it does (and stop blaming yourself for it)

  • Get medication right: careful selection, honest conversation about tradeoffs, and ongoing fine-tuning

  • Untangle ADHD from anxiety, depression, perfectionism, or burnout - because they rarely show up alone

  • Build systems and routines that actually work for your brain, not a neurotypical template

  • Address the deeper stuff: the shame, the inner critic, the intergenerational patterns that compound everything

  • Don’t meet criteria for ADHD but are still struggling in all of these ways? You still need help! Let’s talk about options for you.

Let’s get started

1

Book an intro call

Free of cost.

Tell me a little about what's going on and what you're looking for. This is a quick conversation to make sure we're a good fit before we dive in.

2

Schedule your visit

We'll schedule a two-hour deep dive. I want to understand your full story: not just symptoms, but your life, your history, and what's already been tried. We'll leave with a clear plan.

3

Ongoing support

We meet regularly (whatever rhythm works for you) to adjust, refine, and keep building. Usually every 2-6 weeks to start.

ADHD management isn't a one-and-done. It's an evolving conversation.

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