Near and Dear Therapy

Near and Dear Therapy Holistic and Compassionate Care My work is rooted in deep, intuitive listening and a blend of person-centered, psychodynamic, and eclectic therapies.

👋 Welcome — I'm Amy Ratkovich, LMFT
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist serving clients in both California and Wisconsin. With over nine years of experience, I support individuals navigating ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges.

🌀 My Approach
Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. I focus on creating a space where you feel seen, supported, and grounded — a space where real growth can unfold. Together, we explore your patterns, your needs, and your strengths — not from a place of fixing, but from a place of rediscovering what’s already whole within you.

🌿 What You Can Expect
Sessions are collaborative, compassionate, and paced to meet you where you are. You’ll build insight, learn practical coping strategies, and deepen your connection to yourself. Whether you’re working through something specific or seeking long-term personal growth, I’m here to walk with you.

A seek peak at my up coming blog out in March.Dear Near and Dear Readers,⁠⁠Intimate relationships often bring out the be...
02/24/2026

A seek peak at my up coming blog out in March.

Dear Near and Dear Readers,⁠
⁠
Intimate relationships often bring out the best and the most challenging parts of ourselves. When ADHD is part of the picture, misunderstandings and frustrations can grow quickly. Many couples find themselves caught in cycles of blame and hurt, not realizing that the root of their struggles often lies in how ADHD affects executive functioning and nervous system regulation. Recognizing these underlying factors can shift relationships from conflict zones to places of compassion and creativity.⁠
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In this post, we explore how ADHD impacts the brain’s ability to manage attention, emotions, and impulses, especially in close partnerships. We will also discuss practical ways to support nervous system regulation and executive functioning to foster healthier, more understanding connections.⁠
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www.neardeartherapy.com

Amy Ratkovich, LMFT #124308

MARKETING MONDAY ⁠⁠If this post found you at the right moment, trust that.⁠⁠If you’re feeling stuck in a relationship — ...
02/24/2026

MARKETING MONDAY ⁠
⁠
If this post found you at the right moment, trust that.⁠
⁠
If you’re feeling stuck in a relationship — overwhelmed by stress, rejection sensitivity, or emotional reactivity — and you’re unsure whether to stay, leave, or even how to think clearly about what’s happening… you’re not alone.⁠
⁠
Maybe you’re:⁠
⁠
Struggling to trust your partner because stress keeps hijacking your nervous system⁠
⁠
Feeling emotionally exhausted and unsure what’s yours vs. the relationship’s⁠
⁠
Avoiding dating altogether because past hurts still feel too close to the surface⁠
⁠
Support can help — even when you’re not ready (or able) to make big decisions yet.⁠
⁠
I’m Amy Ratkovich, LMFT 124308, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, offering therapy throughout California via telehealth — and I’m also introducing something new this year:⁠

Please also check out my blog www.neardeartherapy.com/blog

Amy Ratkovich, LMFT #124308

Forgetting A poor memory doesn't mean someone doesn't care.A memory lapses can lead to missed details that symbolize car...
02/20/2026

Forgetting

A poor memory doesn't mean someone doesn't care.
A memory lapses can lead to missed details that symbolize care in relationships.
The intention is often there; the system just couldn’t hold everything at once.
External supports reduce resentment more effectively than reminders fueled by frustration.
For more insights into ADHD please check out my blog.







www.neardeartherapy.com/blog

Amy Ratkovich, LMFT #124308

I want to invite a moment of reflection on executive functioning.Executive functioning supports attention, working memor...
02/18/2026

I want to invite a moment of reflection on executive functioning.

Executive functioning supports attention, working memory, emotional regulation, and impulse control. These systems don’t fail because of a lack of effort. Under stress, they narrow because capacity has been exceeded.

With ADHD, that capacity can be smaller—or require more energy to maintain. It’s not a character issue; it’s a load issue.

Recognizing this shifts how partners, friends, and colleagues respond. Support becomes less about pushing harder and more about refilling the cup—often and intentionally—through pauses, clarity, and micro-breaks.

That’s how connection stays intact under pressure.










www.neardeartherapy.com

MARKETING MONDAY 🌿⁠⁠If this post found you at the right moment, trust that.⁠⁠If you’re feeling stuck in a relationship —...
02/16/2026

MARKETING MONDAY 🌿⁠
⁠
If this post found you at the right moment, trust that.⁠
⁠
If you’re feeling stuck in a relationship —rejection sensitivity, or emotional reactivity — and you’re unsure whether to stay, leave, or even how to think clearly about what’s happening… you’re not alone.⁠
⁠
Maybe you’re:⁠
⁠
Struggling to trust your partner because stress keeps hijacking your nervous system⁠
⁠
Feeling emotionally exhausted and unsure what’s yours vs. the relationship’s⁠
⁠
Avoiding dating altogether because past hurts still feel too close to the surface⁠
⁠
Support can help — even when you’re not ready (or able) to make big decisions yet.⁠
⁠
I’m Amy Ratkovich, LMFT, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, offering therapy throughout California via TELEHEALTH

If your relationship needs space to be understood —⁠
or if ADHD is making it hard to trust yourself or your partner —⁠
I’d be glad to walk with you.⁠
⁠
Reach out when you’re ready.⁠
You don’t have to figure this out alone.⁠
⁠
Amy Ratkovich, LMFT #124308

Dear Near and Dear Therapy Fans,A preview of my next blog coming out soon on the 14th of Feb. On the day that romantic ...
02/14/2026

Dear Near and Dear Therapy Fans,

A preview of my next blog coming out soon on the 14th of Feb. On the day that romantic relationships are in the spot light, let's shed the light of compassion on how ADHD can impact romantic relationships.

Dear Near and Dear Readers,

I wanted to share something that's been close to my heart lately—a reflection on how ADHD shows up in our most intimate connections, and why understanding it through the lens of nervous system regulation and executive functioning can transform relationships from sources of pain to spaces of deeper compassion and creativity.

First and Foremost!

I'd like to start by naming something essential: self-regulation is the foundation of connection. Not willpower. Not effort. Not how much you care.

For many people with ADHD, regulation is about learning how to find an embodied rhythm—a reliable point of orientation—when the mind pulls in a thousand directions at once. When that rhythm is missing, attention slips, emotions escalate, and misunderstandings multiply.

This matters profoundly in romantic relationships, where vulnerability is high, expectations are unspoken, and the nervous system is constantly being asked to stay open, present, and responsive under stress.



For previous articles that reflect on science and compassion please visit my blog.

www.neardeartherapy.com/blog

Amy Ratkovich, LMFT #124308

Dear Near and Dear Therapy Fans,A preview of my next blog coming out soon on the 14th of Feb. On the day that romantic ...
02/12/2026

Dear Near and Dear Therapy Fans,

A preview of my next blog coming out soon on the 14th of Feb. On the day that romantic relationships are in the spot light, let's shed the light of compassion on how ADHD can impact romantic relationships.

Dear Near and Dear Readers,

I wanted to share something that's been close to my heart lately—a reflection on how ADHD shows up in our most intimate connections, and why understanding it through the lens of nervous system regulation and executive functioning can transform relationships from sources of pain to spaces of deeper compassion and creativity.

First and Foremost!

I'd like to start by naming something essential: self-regulation is the foundation of connection. Not willpower. Not effort. Not how much you care.

For many people with ADHD, regulation is about learning how to find an embodied rhythm—a reliable point of orientation—when the mind pulls in a thousand directions at once. When that rhythm is missing, attention slips, emotions escalate, and misunderstandings multiply.

This matters profoundly in romantic relationships, where vulnerability is high, expectations are unspoken, and the nervous system is constantly being asked to stay open, present, and responsive under stress.



For previous articles that reflect on science and compassion please visit my blog.

www.neardeartherapy.com/blog

ADHD, Rejection Sensitivity, and Misread Signals⁠⁠A missed text.⁠A delayed response.⁠A distracted glance.⁠⁠For many peop...
02/11/2026

ADHD, Rejection Sensitivity, and Misread Signals⁠
⁠
A missed text.⁠
A delayed response.⁠
A distracted glance.⁠
⁠
For many people with ADHD, these moments can trigger intense emotional pain, often described as Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD).⁠
⁠
What looks “small” from the outside can register as a full nervous system threat inside.⁠
⁠
The result?⁠
• withdrawal⁠
• defensiveness⁠
• over-correcting to protect the bond⁠
⁠
Which makes sense. Connection with others and the interdependent nature of our existence as social mammals, is a deeply held instinct. ⁠
⁠
Understanding this isn’t about excusing behavior or an invitation to shame anyone.⁠
⁠
It’s about recognizing how emotional signals get amplified — and learning how to slow the moment down before damage is done.⁠
⁠
Intimacy grows when both people understand what’s actually happening beneath the reaction.⁠
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LOOK FOR MY NEXT BLOG ON FEB 14th a Special Valentine's Day Addition for a look at Women with ADHD impacting their Romantic Relationships.

In relational work, a key question is not whether a reaction is real — but what it’s responding to.When a moment lands a...
02/10/2026

In relational work, a key question is not whether a reaction is real — but what it’s responding to.

When a moment lands as threatening, pausing allows the nervous system to distinguish present cues from past learning.
That pause often determines whether a relationship escalates or repairs.

This is where executive functioning, regulation, and emotional insight intersect.




LOOK FOR MY NEXT BLOG ON FEB 14th a Special Valentine's Day Addition for a look at Women with ADHD impacting their Romantic Relationships.

MARKETING MONDAY 🌿If this post found you at the right moment, trust that.If you’re feeling stuck in a relationship — ove...
02/09/2026

MARKETING MONDAY 🌿

If this post found you at the right moment, trust that.

If you’re feeling stuck in a relationship — overwhelmed by ADHD-related stress, rejection sensitivity, or emotional reactivity — and you’re unsure whether to stay, leave, or even how to think clearly about what’s happening… you’re not alone.

Maybe you’re:

Struggling to trust your partner because stress keeps hijacking your nervous system

Feeling emotionally exhausted and unsure what’s yours vs. the relationship’s

Avoiding dating altogether because past hurts still feel too close to the surface

Support can help — even when you’re not ready (or able) to make big decisions yet.

I’m Amy Ratkovich, LMFT, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, offering therapy throughout California via telehealth — and I’m also introducing something new this year:

Shadow Walks — Walk & Talk Therapy

These sessions take place on spacious, quiet trails near downtown Pleasant Hill.

We walk side by side — not face to face — while talking through what’s brought you here.
There’s something powerful about moving the body while gently exploring the parts of yourself that feel unclear, stuck, or hidden in the shadows.

Walking can be especially helpful for anxiety, restlessness, and ADHD-related overwhelm. It supports regulation, perspective, and honest reflection — without the pressure of sitting still or making eye contact the entire time.

If your relationship needs space to be understood —
or if ADHD is making it hard to trust yourself or your partner —
I’d be glad to walk with you.

Reach out when you’re ready.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.

LOOK FOR MY NEXT BLOG ON FEB 14th a Special Valentine's Day Addition for a look at Women with ADHD impacting their Romantic Relationships.
Amy Ratkovich, LMFT #124308

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1460 Maria Lane #300
Walnut Creek, CA
94598

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