When we think about attention challenges and emotional regulation, we often jump straight to executive functioning, focus hacks, or brain chemistry. But in my clinical practice, especially with complex cases involving attention issues and cycle-related conditions like ADHD or PMDD, I see another piece of the puzzle show up over and over again: nervous system dysregulation.
Whether it's the constant fight-or-flight response, sensory overwhelm, mood swings, or emotional volatility, so many of the challenges my clients face are downstream from an overtaxed nervous system. ADHD isn't just a brain-based condition—it’s also a body-based one.
The Nervous System and Emotional Regulation: What's the Link?
Many adults and kids dealing with attention and focus difficulties live in a near-constant state of dysregulation. Their systems are reactive rather than responsive. This might show up as:
Emotional outbursts or shutdowns
Sensory overwhelm and intolerance
Trouble sleeping or resting
Difficulty shifting gears or staying flexible
Burnout from "masking" or over-performing
Now layer on cycle-related issues like PMDD, and you have a storm of cortisol spikes, low resilience, hormone-related inflammation, and mood dysregulation. Trying to implement lifestyle changes or even the most strategic supplement protocol on top of this? It often doesn't stick—because the body doesn’t feel safe enough to change.
Why Nervous System Work Needs a Seat at the Table
I’ve long supported my clients with nervous system basics—like blood sugar balancing, magnesium, or gut health for GABA support. But that’s not the same as offering true regulation practices.
That’s why I’m so excited to now include monthly nervous system workshops as part of our 6-month functional medicine program.
These sessions offer:
Trauma-informed, sensory-based tools
Real-time regulation experiences
Techniques for emotional resilience, body awareness, and downshifting out of survival mode
Meet Jessica: Our Nervous System Practitioner
These workshops will be led by the incredible Jessica Addeo, a pediatric OT turned nervous system coach with over 17 years of experience in sensory integration and trauma-informed care. Jessica brings both depth and lightness to this work. Her approach is science-backed, sensory-informed, and above all—accessible.
She teaches the how behind regulation:
How to shift out of fight-or-flight
How to stay present through sensory overload
How to move from burnout into embodied resilience
Her background working with schools, parents, therapists, and clinical teams means she deeply understands the neurodivergent family dynamic. She doesn’t just talk about calm—she helps you experience it.
Traditional ADHD Care vs Nervous System-Informed Care
Traditional approaches often focus on behavior management or symptom suppression. While these can be helpful, they rarely address the underlying dysregulation driving the symptoms. Nervous system-informed care helps restore flexibility, improve emotional safety, and build long-term resilience. It's not just about tools—it’s about capacity.
Why This Matters for You
If you or your child are navigating ADHD, PMDD, or a mix of focus and mood issues, chances are your nervous system is under constant strain. These workshops are here to build capacity, not just provide information. They’re a safe space to practice feeling better—so everything else we do in the program (labs, protocols, lifestyle shifts) has room to land.
It’s not just about root cause anymore. It’s also about root safety.Join our ADHD and PMDD support program with functional medicine and nervous system care. Our next 6-month cohort is enrolling now. Book a discovery call to see if it’s a good fit for you or your family. Learn more about our approach on the about page.
I'm Ready to Support My Nervous System
FAQs
Are these workshops suitable for both adults and parents of children with attention issues or PMDD?
Yes! Jessica’s approach meets everyone where they are—whether you’re managing your own stress, parenting a neurodivergent child, or doing both.
How do the workshops fit into the program?
Each month, clients receive an invitation to a live session (with a replay available) to explore a key theme like emotional regulation, sleep, or transitions. These are integrated into the overall clinical care plan.
What makes nervous system regulation different from traditional therapy?
While therapy often focuses on mindset, trauma processing, or behavioral change, nervous system work targets the physiological patterns underneath. It's about shifting how your body responds to stress and sensory input, which makes all other healing strategies more effective.
How do the workshops fit into the program?
Each month, clients receive an invitation to a live session (with a replay available) to explore a key theme like emotional regulation, sleep, or transitions. These are integrated into the overall clinical care plan.