At Bright Life Therapy, LLC, I help adults with ADHD take control of their lives and improve their relationships. I help dismantle the myths of "I'll never be in a relationship", "I'm unlovable", "I'm not relationship material", "Relationships are too hard."
My clients struggle as you do, despite being good, loving, and considerate people. Life is hard!
They desire companionship and love, but over time, repeated misunderstandings, conflict, or breakups can chip away at their self-worth, leading to sadness, anxiety, and a growing sense of defeat.
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Their ADHD symptoms impact the way they handle relationships. They aren't the kind of person, mother, or spouse they want to be. They feel like they’re failing as a partner or friend. And, their confidence in themselves is tanking.
Before coming to see me, many clients feel hopeless about improving their relationships or changing the way they communicate and connect with others. They often believe, “This is just who I am,” without realizing that ADHD symptoms may be shaping how they express love, show care, and respond in relationships. When we begin to separate identity from symptoms, hope and change become possible.
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Like my clients, you deserve the feeling of confidence when navigating relationships and/or choosing a partner. You also deserve to be in a healthy relationship and to learn how to minimize relationship stressors.
If you want to lose the shame and despair that is experienced when living with ADHD while navigating relationships, I can help you get there!
Reach out. You don’t have to suffer. I can help.
Stop Beating Yourself Up and Take Control!
Service
Living with ADHD while navigating relationships is difficult. There are different levels/degrees to it, and everyone’s ADHD looks different. It may feel like you take one step forward in your relationships and then two steps back. Almost everyday can pose a challenge in your abilities in managing your relationships. It seems like your future may be dim, because the goal of relationship success feels out of reach.
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Many don’t realize how much ADHD symptoms are influencing the way they show up in relationships. Difficulties with emotional regulation, communication, follow-through, rejection sensitivity, or impulsivity can create patterns of misunderstanding, conflict, inconsistency, and emotional distance. Over time, these patterns can erode trust, increase shame, and leave individuals feeling disconnected from the very people they care about most.
When ADHD symptoms go unrecognized or untreated, other mental health challenges can develop or intensify. Over time, repeated experiences of feeling “behind,” misunderstood, or inconsistent can contribute to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even burnout. Addressing ADHD symptoms and how it impacts relationships directly can reduce this emotional strain and create space for greater stability and confidence.
You Can Be Happy In a Relationship and Live with ADHD
You deserve to feel happy, secure, and fulfilled in your relationships. I help you understand how your ADHD brain works and what it truly needs to move through the obstacles that have been holding you back.
In our work together, we will:
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Identify the specific ADHD symptoms that are impacting your relationships
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Break down recurring struggles and develop practical tools to navigate them
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Process the hurt, shame, or rejection you may have experienced
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Assess for co-occurring concerns such as anxiety or depression and build effective coping strategies
ADHD often comes with creativity, depth, and a vivid vision for your life. You’ve likely imagined the kind of relationship you want—and it is possible. The path forward begins with understanding your mind, not fighting against it. Together, we’ll build skills to help you choose partners wisely, communicate more effectively, regulate emotions, and feel confident in a healthy relationship you genuinely enjoy.
About Me
Hi!
My name is Shani. I am a busy wife and mother of two. Reality TV takes up too much time than it should during my week. I'm a big Daydreamer; it's just great to envision all the things I want to do or could do. I don't like cooking but do it too much for my liking. I also work very hard on trying to develop my little ones into happy, healthy adults.
I’m passionate about helping people create and achieve their ideal life. I know what it feels like to think you’re unable or ill equipped to obtain the life you desire. I too have ADHD, and like many adult women, I was diagnosed in adulthood. My desire is to help women with ADHD navigate their life with better understanding and techniques that can help them overcome life’s difficulties. It is important to know the everyday challenges ADHD can have on you personally and understanding that it does not have to define, limit, or stop you from doing anything! Yes, the process can be more difficult than it is for others, BUT with some help you’re more than capable of success!
If you believe you have been limited in different ways by your ADHD, and you have a desire to live your best life, reach out and we can begin to reach for the dream.
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Master of Social Work
Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C)
Make An Appointment
Address
188 Thomas Johnson Dr. #203
Frederick, MD 21702
Contact
Phone: 240-658-8869
Opening Hours
Mon - Thurs
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
* I return inquiry emails within two business days and missed phone calls within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. Inquiries received Friday afternoon are addressed on Monday. I look forward to working with you. Please check your junk mail or spam folders if you have not heard from me within that time frame.
Session Information
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Sessions
Individual and Couple Sessions
I currently offer in-person and virtual individual sessions. Couple sessions are offered virtual only.
Specialties
Issues Addressed
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ADHD
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Relationship Issues
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Anxiety
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Depression
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African American/Black Experience
Insurances & Rates
Modalities
Fees:
Individual Sessions: $300
Couples Sessions: $500
Insurance: Medicare
Therapy Techniques
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Solution Focused Therapy
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Strength Based Therapy
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Crisis Management
Relationship Goals!
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How ADHD Impacts Relationships
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) doesn’t just affect focus or productivity—it can deeply influence relationships, too. Whether in romantic partnerships, friendships, or family dynamics, ADHD symptoms often show up in ways that are misunderstood.
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1. Inattention Can Feel Like Disinterest
Someone with ADHD may struggle to stay present in conversations, forget important dates, or seem distracted. To a partner or friend, this can feel like a lack of care. In reality, the issue is neurological—not emotional. Difficulty sustaining attention is a core symptom, not a reflection of how much someone values the relationship.
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2. Impulsivity Can Create Conflict
Blurting out thoughts, interrupting, making quick decisions, or reacting emotionally in the moment can strain communication. Impulsivity may lead to arguments escalating quickly or promises being made without follow-through.
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3. Emotional Regulation Challenges
Many people with ADHD experience intense emotions and difficulty calming down once upset. This can create cycles of conflict, especially if both partners don’t understand what’s happening beneath the surface.
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4. Executive Function & “Uneven” Responsibilities
Struggles with organization, time management, and task completion can result in one partner taking on more household or emotional labor. Over time, this imbalance can breed resentment if not addressed openly.
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5. Rejection Sensitivity
Some individuals with ADHD experience heightened sensitivity to perceived criticism or rejection. Small comments can feel overwhelming, leading to defensiveness or withdrawal.
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The Good News
ADHD also brings strengths to relationships—creativity, spontaneity, passion, humor, and deep empathy. When couples or families understand how ADHD shows up, they can shift from blame to collaboration.
Clear communication, structured systems, realistic expectations, and sometimes therapy or medication can make a meaningful difference. With awareness and support, ADHD doesn’t have to damage relationships—it can simply become one part of the story.
Policy
Sliding Fee Guidelines 2025
Application
***Once the application is complete. Please return the application to the physical office.
No one will be denied access to services due to the inability to pay, and there is a discounted/sliding fee schedule available based on family size and income. The Sliding Fee Discount Program (SFDP) is available to all who are eligible. For more information about the SFDP, please click the links below for the SFDP policy, sliding fee guidelines and/or application.