MysticMag has the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Cristina Louk, a compassionate and dedicated professional in the field of humanistic psychology. As a licensed mental health counselor, hypnotherapist, and energy healer, Dr. Louk brings a holistic approach to her practice at Peace Humanistic Therapy, LLC. With a particular focus on serving the neurodivergent community, she is committed to providing comprehensive mental health support to individuals facing various challenges. Driven by her belief in the inherent potential within each person, Dr. Louk strives to empower her clients on their journey towards personal growth and healing. With her expertise and genuine care, she creates a safe and nurturing space where individuals can flourish and thrive.
Can you share your personal journey with ADHD and how you have learned to manage and turn your struggles into strengths?
I was an extremely hyperactive child, bright and constantly seeking stimulation. However, this posed challenges within the school environment. In Kindergarten, I was sent to a child psychologist, but back in the late 1970s, girls weren’t readily diagnosed with ADHD as they are today. Consequently, I did not receive a diagnosis at that time, nor were any school accommodations provided. As my struggles persisted in the first few years of school, I was sent to another child psychologist and finally diagnosed with ADHD in the 3rd grade.
Despite the diagnosis, my parents decided against medication, and the school provided minimal accommodations. The only adjustment made was moving me from the lowest reading group to the highest, even though the school initially doubted my reading abilities (although I was actually reading college-level books at home). And that was the extent of the support I received.
Fortunately, I possessed intelligence, curiosity, and a vibrant personality. I fully embraced the ADHD label and never considered it a negative attribute. Instead, I promptly set out to adapt the world to suit my needs. Often, we find ourselves trying to fit into a world that seems incompatible with our characteristics. In my case, I took a different approach: I made the world conform to my requirements. In doing so, I discovered the ability to transform my challenges into strengths. Whenever something didn’t work for me, I found a way to make it work, or if necessary, I found an alternative route to overcome the obstacle.
What inspired you to specialize in online adult ADHD therapy and assessment particularly?
The pandemic has significantly increased the accessibility of telehealth, providing therapists and clients with a valuable opportunity to assess the usefulness of this modality. Interestingly, telehealth has proven to be particularly effective for individuals with ADHD, and I personally experienced its benefits both as a provider and as a client/patient. There seems to be a correlation, supported by anecdotal evidence, suggesting that individuals with ADHD are less prone to distractions when engaging through a screen, compared to in-person interactions. As a result, both my clients and I have experienced great success with telehealth, yielding quality results in our therapeutic endeavors.
How do you approach therapy for individuals with ADHD, and what unique techniques or strategies do you incorporate into your sessions?
As a humanistic psychologist, my focus lies in a strengths-based approach that underpins my practice. I am committed to harnessing the inherent strengths of my clients in order to foster their personal growth and development, allowing them to reach their maximum potential
When working with individuals who have ADHD, I take an integrative approach that acknowledges the diverse needs within this population. I draw upon a wide array of traditional cognitive behavioral therapies to tackle symptoms like procrastination, organization, task initiation, and other related challenges. Moreover, I incorporate techniques such as the emotional freedom technique from energy psychology to assist in navigating and processing any trauma or anxiety stemming from difficulties in emotion regulation.
By combining these various therapeutic modalities, I strive to provide a comprehensive and customized approach that caters to the specific needs of each individual. This approach aims to promote their overall well-being, while empowering them to overcome obstacles and flourish in their lives.
What are some common challenges that adults with ADHD face, and how do you help them navigate and overcome these challenges?
Rejection-sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is a psychological phenomenon often associated with ADHD, and in my opinion, can be incredibly detrimental. RSD refers to an intense sensitivity and emotional response to perceived or actual rejection, criticism, or failure. Individuals with RSD may experience feelings of extreme distress, humiliation, or inadequacy in response to situations that involve social interactions, evaluations, or interpersonal relationships. These intense emotional reactions can have a significant impact on self-esteem, relationships, and overall well-being.
To effectively address and surmount these challenges, I assist my clients in the process of reducing the emotional intensity they experience in the moment first. One approach I employ is the utilization of techniques such as the emotional freedom technique, which has demonstrated its efficacy in lowering cortisol levels (the stress hormone). Additionally, I may employ behavioral interventions, such as intentional distraction, to aid in decreasing the emotional intensity. By employing these strategies, I aim to provide my clients with practical tools to manage and mitigate the overwhelming emotions associated with their RSD.
In addition, I may incorporate hypnotherapy or narrative therapy techniques to support individuals in gaining a clearer understanding of the incident or reframing their narrative. RSD often distorts our memory of events, and these therapeutic approaches can aid in creating a more accurate and balanced perspective. Moreover, providing individuals with a safe and non-judgmental space to discuss the situation can be immensely beneficial to the healing process. Simply having the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings to a validating presence can be a powerful catalyst for growth and recovery.
Could you explain the importance of developing skills to reclaim one’s life and find peace for individuals with ADHD, and how your therapy approach supports this process?
Developing skills to reclaim one’s life and find peace is of utmost importance for individuals with ADHD. ADHD can bring various challenges such as difficulties with focus, organization, time management, and impulse control, which can lead to feelings of frustration, overwhelm, and a sense of being out of control. By acquiring specific skills, individuals with ADHD can regain a sense of agency, improve their overall well-being, and enhance their ability to navigate daily life successfully.
In my therapy approach, I place a strong emphasis on skill development to support individuals with ADHD in their journey towards reclaiming their lives and finding peace. Firstly, I work collaboratively with clients to identify the specific areas in which they encounter challenges and help them understand how ADHD impacts their lives. This psychoeducation helps individuals gain insight into their experiences and fosters self-compassion.
Next, I utilize evidence-based techniques and interventions tailored to address the unique needs of individuals with ADHD. This may include cognitive behavioral strategies to manage time, organize tasks, and improve focus. Additionally, I incorporate techniques to enhance emotional regulation, such as mindfulness or relaxation exercises. By practicing these skills consistently, clients can build resilience, improve self-control, and reduce the impact of ADHD symptoms on their daily functioning.
Furthermore, I emphasize the importance of self-care and stress management. This involves identifying individual strengths and interests, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and developing effective coping strategies to navigate challenges that arise. By fostering self-awareness and empowering clients to develop and utilize these skills, my therapy approach supports the process of reclaiming one’s life and finding inner peace.
Ultimately, my goal is to provide a supportive and nonjudgmental space where individuals with ADHD can explore their experiences, acquire practical tools, and cultivate a positive mindset. Through skill development, self-acceptance, and tailored therapeutic interventions, individuals can experience personal growth, increased self-confidence, and a greater sense of control over their lives, ultimately finding peace and fulfillment.
Is it your belief that ADHD is something that can be eradicated from our society over time?
I find it challenging to provide a definitive answer to this question, as I am uncertain whether “eradicating” ADHD is the desired outcome. There is evidence suggesting that ADHD may have played a role in the survival and success of our early ancestors. What if it’s an ADHDers ingenuity that gets us out of the next jam? Personally, I have discovered that my ADHD traits contribute to my innovative thinking, resilience, and determination to achieve my goals. While there are undoubtedly challenges associated with ADHD, it is important to recognize that everyone faces difficulties in life. ADHD individuals, however, often possess a clear understanding of their challenges and can forge a path forward.
What I strongly believe should be eliminated from our society is the pervasive stigma and bias that neurodiverse individuals encounter. To combat this, I proudly embrace my “ADHD” label and showcase my strengths to the world. By doing so, I strive to diminish the negative perceptions surrounding ADHD and promote acceptance and appreciation of neurodiversity.
