Pediatric And Adult Behavioral Counseling in Birmingham, MI

12/30/2025

50 years sober!!! What are you celebrating this year???

12/03/2025

This cycle is ADHD life, and seeing it drawn out so accurately is both validating and painful.

ADHD paralysis isn’t laziness or poor time management. It’s a neurological freeze state that feels impossible to break, no matter how much I want to get things done.

The cycle we know too well:

I know exactly what needs to be done. The to-do list is clear. But I can’t prioritize, organize, or start. Executive dysfunction means the gap between knowing and doing feels impossible to bridge. So I feel overwhelmed and stuck. Not because the task is objectively hard, but because my brain can’t access the starting mechanism.
Which leads to avoiding the task. Not because I don’t care, but because facing it while frozen creates more anxiety than temporarily looking away.

Time passes. I’m doing the task last minute, fueled by panic and adrenaline - the only things strong enough to override the paralysis. Then comes the guilt about wasted time. All those hours I “should have” been working but couldn’t. The shame spiral begins.

And the cycle repeats.

Why this cycle is so hard to break:

ADHD brains struggle with task initiation even without emotional baggage. Add guilt and shame, and the paralysis gets worse.

The last-minute panic becomes the only reliable way to get things done, so our brains start depending on it. We’re training ourselves to need crisis to function.

Each cycle reinforces the belief that we’re failing, which makes the next cycle harder.

People watching from outside see procrastination and assume it’s a choice. They don’t see the internal battle or understand that “just start” requires executive function we don’t have access to.

What we will help you learn to do differently:

💜 Recognizing I’m in the cycle is the first step. 💜 Naming it as ADHD paralysis rather than personal failure reduces some of the shame.
💜 External accountability helps break the freeze.
💜 Body doubling - working alongside someone else - creates just enough structure to bypass the paralysis.
💜Starting with the tiniest possible action. Not “do the task” but “open the document.” Momentum sometimes follows.
💜Building in buffer time when possible, knowing last-minute is often my reality.

Fighting against your natural brain’s patterns only adds more shame.

To my fellow ADHD paralysis warriors: You’re NOT lazy. Your brain’s executive function works differently, and the guilt only makes it harder. You deserve compassion, especially from yourself.

Where in this cycle do you get stuck most often?

Visual credit:

11/07/2025

A new facility in Sterling Heights is offering people struggling with addiction a different path to recovery – one that leads away from emergency rooms and jail cells.

See the story at the link in the comments.

11/03/2025

Food assistance for Wayne County and surrounding areas

The government shut down has stopped all food assistance for the month of November. No one should spend the holidays hungry. Here's a list of resources to help you find some food nearby.

10/16/2025

Anderson Cooper speaking authentically about and his personal journey… opening up and allowing himself to be vulnerable to pain allowed feelings of joy and the ability to connect to others… including his own sons ❤️‍🩹🫶❤️‍🩹

09/27/2025

Because you are not alone… if you’re struggling, please call 988. We are here to help. Just a phone call away.

09/26/2025

👨‍👦💔 When he was just 14 years old, he lost his father—and with him, the guidance every young boy needs growing up. Years later, instead of letting that pain define him, he decided to turn it into something beautiful.

He created a YouTube channel called “Dad, How Do I?”, where he teaches basic life skills that many kids without fathers never get the chance to learn. From how to tie a tie, change a tire, fix a leaky faucet, or even shave properly, his videos have become a source of comfort and knowledge for millions around the world.

But it’s not just about the skills—it’s the kindness, patience, and fatherly presence he brings to every video. For children and young adults who grew up without a dad, he’s become a virtual father figure, reminding them they’re not alone. 🌎❤️

His story shows that even the deepest loss can be turned into a gift that helps others. Sometimes, healing yourself means helping others heal too.

09/26/2025

Sound therapy has been an excellent way to break free of intrusive thoughts and reduce stress levels immediately. This has also been excellent to reset the brains to allow people to focus, sleep and even get motivated!! Contact us to schedule your appointment today!!

Neuroscientist and psychologist break down the science behind this approach in our newest exclusive feature.

09/24/2025

What’s the difference between overthinking and an unwanted thought popping into your head? 🤔

It’s all about vs. thoughts. Knowing the difference can be a game-changer for your mental health.

Rumination is that mental loop you get stuck in—rehashing a past conversation or mistake. It feels like problem-solving, but it just keeps you stuck in a cycle of self-blame and regret. It’s often linked to depression and anxiety.

Intrusive thoughts are the opposite. They’re sudden, unwanted, and often shocking thoughts that feel totally out of character. Think about a random, disturbing image that flashes in your mind. The distress comes from the thought’s content, not from you wanting to act on it. These are common in conditions like OCD.

The key takeaway? Rumination is a cycle you get stuck in, while an intrusive thought is an unexpected visitor. Both can be challenging, but understanding them is the first step toward managing them.

09/24/2025

09/24/2025

At 2 a.m., a 13-year-old boy dialed 911. Not for crime. Not for danger. Just because he was tired of sleeping on a deflated air mattress in an empty room.

Officer Gaetano Acerra responded expecting trouble. Instead, he found bare walls, no furniture, and a boy whose shoulders slumped with exhaustion. His grandmother loved him, but she couldn’t afford more than survival.

Most officers might have filed a report. Acerra couldn’t. Three days later, he returned—not with paperwork, but with a pickup truck full of surprises.

A real bed with clean sheets. A desk and chair. Lamps, decorations, and even a Nintendo Wii. “Every kid needs something to look forward to,” he said.

The boy’s empty room became a sanctuary. His defeated face lit up with joy. And Acerra, a father himself, summed it up simply: “Sometimes you just know what’s right.”

👉 Full story in the comments.

09/19/2025

Free men’s health checks at Detroit's Ford Field on Sept. 20. No insurance required. Mark your calendar and share with someone who should go.