Cynthia Djengue, MSSW, LCSW

04/13/2026

04/13/2026

Brainspotting Practitioner training at Ready for a powerful week!

04/07/2026

Midlife ADHD can feel like…
holding so much together on the outside
while quietly unraveling on the inside.

The overwhelm.
The self-doubt.
The constant “why is this so hard for me?”

You are not broken.
You’ve been navigating life with a nervous system that needed different support.

🌿 Wise Women with ADHD – June Group
A 6-week therapeutic support space for women 40+
to soften shame, build real-life tools, and feel less alone.

This is a space for: • emotional regulation
• executive functioning support
• honest conversation
• nervous system care
• connection without pressure

Online • Small group • Midday (AZ time)

If som**hing in you is quietly saying “this might be for me”…
you’re welcome here.

DM me “JUNE” for details or to join the interest list.



https://www.cynthiadjengue.com/wisewomenadhdgroup

Link in profile

04/02/2026

Here's my friend who shows up for sugar water.

03/26/2026

Oh girl. It could also be lack of Vitamin D, lack of sleep, the wrong medication mix. For my middle aged female clients especially, we look at a holistic approach to treating ADHD. I provide psychotherapy for adults with ADHD, its my specialty. I take a lot of extra classes and courses to call it my specialty. Don't go to the wrong therapist or psychiatrist who has a general knowledge of ADHD, it can make thing worse. You need someone who can intuitively hear you, read between the lines, and unlike AI bots, encourage you to follow through with treatment and confront you gently when you aren't.

Stop suffering with Adult ADHD.

Website link above in profile for blog, appointments and a chance to say hello.

03/14/2026

This brain image is often used to explain addiction.

Co***ne and m**h cause rapid dopamine spikes that train the brain to crave more, while reducing dopamine receptors over time. That is what we see here. The brain responds very differently to slow, predictable dopamine support than to fast, chaotic dopamine flooding.

ADHD medications work differently. They are low dose, slow release, and medically supervised. Instead of flooding the brain, they help bring dopamine signaling closer to a functional baseline.
Same neurotransmitter. Very different timing, dosing, and outcomes.

Untreated ADHD already involves lower dopamine signaling and underactivity in frontal brain regions.

For many midlife women, and others with ADHD, medication does not create extra dopamine. It helps the brain access what it struggles to regulate on its own.

This connects to:

+ Chronic burnout
+ Emotional dysregulation
+ Shame and self-blame
+ Late diagnosis grief

Image Source: Volkow et al., Dopamine in Drug Abuse and Addiction, JAMA Neurology, 2007

*This post is educational only and not medical advice. ADHD medications should always be prescribed and monitored by a qualified clinician.

03/13/2026

I was speaking to a client today, who, with my help, is newly diagnosed ADHD, as well as found the right Nurse Pracitioner to work with for medication management. The client reported a lack of feeling much. I explained what should or should not be felt with amphetamine medication, of which there are several classes.

Many people are surprised by this image from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
It shows how different substances increase dopamine in the brain. Methamphetamine produces an extreme spike. Amphetamines also increase dopamine, but dose, speed, and delivery matter.
Prescription ADHD medications are low dose, controlled, and slow‑release, designed to raise dopamine into a functional range, not flood the brain with euphoria.
For ADHD brains, this can mean:
• Better focus
• Improved emotional regulation
• Reduced impulsivity
This does not mean m**h and ADHD medication are the same. They are chemically related but pharmacologically and clinically very different.
Context matters. Dose matters. Supervision matters.The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) graphic shows relative dopamine increases measured in laboratory and imaging studies. In many versions:

Methamphetamine ≈ 1,200–1,300% increase
Co***ne ≈ 350%
Amphetamine ≈ ~1,000%
Natural rewards (food, s*x) much lower

This same mechanism is why carefully dosed, slow‑release, prescription amphetamines can help ADHD brains function more normally rather than create euphoria.

Many people are surprised by this image from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (below).

It shows how different substances increase dopamine in the brain. Methamphetamine produces an extreme spike. Amphetamines also increase dopamine, but dose, speed, and delivery matter.

Prescription ADHD medications are low dose, controlled, and slow‑release, designed to raise dopamine into a functional range, not flood the brain with euphoria.

For ADHD brains, this can mean:
• Better focus
• Improved emotional regulation
• Reduced impulsivity

This does not mean m**h and ADHD medication are the same.

They are chemically related but pharmacologically and clinically very different.

Context matters. Dose matters. Supervision matters.

03/09/2026

We appreciate this recent article on AI THERAPY from Oprah Daily

https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/wholeness/a70424604/ai-therapy-psychological-tricks

"A chat bot will never push back.. " Trained and seasoned Therapists do.

Chatbots are designed to tell you what you want to hear, not actually help you. Here’s what to watch out for.

03/06/2026

Hello students and associates in counseling, social work, and marriage & family therapy!

Are you working toward Arizona licensure as an LCSW, LPC, or LMFT and in need of clinical supervision?

I will have openings for group supervision beginning June 2026 for those who are eligible. Please note that SPPs are not eligible to count group supervision hours, but associates who qualify are welcome. Individual supervision available for SPP and others.

If you’re looking for a supportive group learning environment with thoughtful discussion, case consultation, and professional growth, I’d love to hear from you.

Visit the link in my profile for details.
Scroll to the footer of my website and click the “Supervision” link, then complete the inquiry form. Set up a consult call.

I’ll also share the link in my Stories.

Let’s get you licensed!

https://www.cynthiadjengue.com/arizona-clinical-supervision

arizonatherapists therapistsinarizona

03/01/2026

Some children and teenagers with ADHD do not just dislike criticism - they feel it deeply.

A small comment can feel like total rejection. A simple mistake can feel like proof they have failed. A neutral look can be read as anger. The emotional reaction is fast, intense and overwhelming.

This is often described as rejection sensitivity or Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. It is important to say clearly that Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria is not an official diagnosis. It is an informal term used to describe intense emotional responses to perceived rejection.

This is not about being dramatic. It is not attention seeking. Emotional dysregulation is common in ADHD. The brain can struggle to pause, process and calm strong feelings.

Over time, repeated criticism and misunderstanding can increase shame, anxiety and low self esteem. Some children shut down. Some avoid trying. Some say “Nobody likes me” after a small problem. The pain is real.

Understanding the pattern helps adults respond differently. Calm, clear feedback and separating behaviour from the child reduces shame and builds resilience. ADHD is not only about focus. It is also about emotions.

LIKE the photo and comment "REJECTION" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

02/19/2026

Wise Women with ADHD is a 6-week online support group designed specifically for midlife women navigating the unique challenges of ADHD. This isn't about quick fixes or becoming more "productive." This is about understanding your ADHD brain, healing the shame, and building a life that works FOR you, not against you.

Led by Cynthia Djengue, LCSW, a licensed therapist, ADHD specialist, and fellow woman with ADHD, this group offers a safe, judgment-free space where you can finally stop masking and start thriving.

Starts March 4th. Also offering this summer and you can register on the waitlist!

Link in profile.

02/18/2026

Ever feel like her? Midlife, (peri) menopause, a mess. Join us March 4th! Wise Women with ADHD is a 6-week online support group designed specifically for midlife women navigating the unique challenges of ADHD. This isn't about quick fixes or becoming more "productive." This is about understanding your brain, healing the shame, and building a life that works FOR you, not against you.

Led by Cynthia Djengue, LCSW, a licensed therapist, ADHD specialist, and fellow woman with ADHD, this group offers a safe, judgment-free space where you can finally stop masking and start thriving.

Link in profile! Register today. Share with your messy friends 🧡👫