We recently connected with Gina Arellano and have shared our conversation below.

Gina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Transitioning from community mental health to running a private practice was far from simple. I quickly discovered that while I had a strong grasp of the therapeutic aspect, I lacked experience in managing the business side of things—administration, marketing, and billing systems were all foreign territory to me. Despite having earned three degrees from Pepperdine University, I found myself underprepared for the realities of owning a practice, a gap that I suspect many universities share in their curriculums.

So I was faced with a make-or-break moment. If I couldn’t run my own private practice then my career as a therapist was over. All that schooling, time, and money was for nothing. I knew I couldn’t go back to working for community mental health or someone else’s group practice… I needed my business to succeed.

Then I found ZynnyMe’s Business School for Therapists. It’s a program that teaches you everything you need to know about running your own private practice. I went to Pepperdine University for undergraduate and graduate school, and their program was amazing. But, like most universities’ psychology programs, they didn’t focus their education on the business side of being a therapist. ZynnyMe really helped fill those gaps and is a major contributing factor to my success. I would highly recommend them to other therapists interested in starting their own solo or group practice.

Thankfully, ZynnyMe’s Business School for Therapists provided me with the tools and education I needed to build a thriving business and bridge the gaps in my knowledge.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I began my career in the non-profit sector and residential centers, working with clients of various ages, ranging from 12 to 80. My last position was working as a clinical therapist in the community mental health field. During my time there, I had the privilege of working with an incredible range of clients who helped me uncover my true passion: supporting adults with ADHD. However, I found myself constrained by the limitations of my role, unable to provide the level of support I knew these clients needed. This realization fueled my decision to start my own practice, where I now provide specialized therapy for Adult ADHD across Los Angeles and California.

Throughout this journey, I’ve learned a few key lessons. One of the most important is ensuring that my practice aligns with my personal values and beliefs. Equally significant was embracing the concept of risk-taking, something that initially terrified me, especially given my lack of financial resources to bounce back from potential failures. However, I realized that not taking risks could be even riskier than taking them. As cliché as it sounds, it’s true. I’ve also come to appreciate the power of experimentation. I’m a firm believer in trying new things and seeing where they lead, which has benefited both my professional and personal life.

I want people to understand that while ADHD is classified as a disability, it doesn’t have to be disabling. As someone who has ADHD, I’ve spent years developing and fine-tuning strategies that allow me to thrive without burning out. My goal is to help others learn to do the same. Therapy for Adulting was born from the need to provide specialized support for adults with ADHD, helping them not only understand how their ADHD brain functions but also to master it. I focus on helping individuals develop new habits and strategies that will enhance their sense of control and confidence in daily life and relationships.

My therapeutic approach is direct and goal-oriented. I know therapy can be tough and even intimidating at times, so I incorporate humor to create a supportive, lighter atmosphere. I believe laughter can be a powerful tool, especially when working through pain and difficult emotions. Ultimately, my mission is to help professionals with ADHD who are struggling to manage day-to-day responsibilities find greater stability and a healthier self-image, while empowering them to live with confidence and purpose.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Building a reputation as a mental health therapist specializing in adult ADHD was a process that took time, dedication, and a focus on several key factors. Looking back, I believe that a combination of authenticity, specialization, and a client-centered approach played the most significant roles in establishing my practice and gaining recognition in my field.

First and foremost, my deep personal connection to ADHD was a cornerstone in building my credibility. As someone who has ADHD, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges that come with it, from difficulties with time management to managing emotional regulation. This personal understanding allows me to connect with my clients on a more genuine level. People with ADHD often feel misunderstood or stigmatized, so being able to say, “I get it, I’ve been there,” builds immediate trust. This authenticity is something I think people can sense and appreciate, which helps me stand out from other therapists who may approach ADHD only from a theoretical perspective. I believe my ability to bring lived experience into the therapeutic space has been crucial in helping me build a reputation as someone who truly understands ADHD from the inside out.

Another essential aspect of my success has been my decision to specialize in Adult ADHD. While ADHD is widely recognized as a childhood condition, there is a growing awareness of how it affects adults. I saw a gap in services for adults who were often overlooked or dismissed, which motivated me to focus my practice in this area. Specialization has allowed me to deepen my expertise and provide tailored interventions that speak directly to the unique needs of adults with ADHD. Clients seek out specialists because they want someone who has honed in on their specific issue, and I believe my ability to narrow my focus on ADHD has contributed to my reputation as an expert in the field. By positioning myself as a specialist, I have been able to attract clients who are specifically looking for help with ADHD-related challenges like career management, relationships, and executive functioning.

Another key factor in building my reputation has been offering a client-centered, results-oriented approach to therapy. While therapy is a process, I understand that many adults with ADHD come to therapy seeking practical solutions and tangible progress. My approach is goal-oriented, where we set clear objectives and track our progress over time. This method resonates particularly well with my clients because many people with ADHD struggle with organization and follow-through. By giving them structured goals and providing accountability, they feel like they are making real, measurable improvements in their lives. Word-of-mouth referrals from clients who’ve experienced positive outcomes have been one of the most effective ways I’ve grown my practice.

Lastly, I incorporate humor and relatability into my sessions. Therapy can be intimidating, especially for those who have struggled with ADHD their whole lives. By using humor, I create a comfortable environment where clients can explore tough topics without feeling judged or overwhelmed. This has been a defining feature of my practice and helps foster a therapeutic relationship with my clients.

Can you open up about how you managed the initial funding?

Well, I was not only completely broke while working in community mental health, but I also accumulated credit card debt. So getting a loan was not a viable option for me. The only thing I had that was of any value was my car. I leased a new car about two or so years before the pandemic, so there weren’t that many miles on it.

Once the pandemic started, Telehealth became the primary distribution of mental health services so my carbon footprint decreased dramatically and I rarely drove my car more than 5 miles or so a week. When I decided to start my own Telehealth private practice, I had to cut back on a lot of expenses and one of those was my car.

Under normal circumstances, if you lease a car you can’t sell it without first purchasing it. However, the pandemic caused a significant disruption in the manufacturing of a data chip that new cars needed, so there weren’t many new cars coming in and car dealerships were desperate for inventory. So desperate in fact, that when I told my dealership that I wasn’t going to return the car but that I was planning on buying it to sell, they offered to buy it from me right then and there.

After shopping around to see how much I could get for it from other dealerships, it seemed the easiest and most cost-effective for me was to sell it to the dealership I got it from. They bought it for almost the same amount I originally purchased it, which was great! After the remainder of the car loan was paid off, that left me with about $9,000. And that money was pivotal in allowing me to start my practice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.therapyforadulting.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapyforadulting/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TherapyForAdulting/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-arellano-06331b2b4/
• Twitter: https://x.com/AdultingTherapy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyForAdulting