The Christina Crowe Podcast: Making the invisible VISIBLE

E71: ADHD Medication’s Impact on Coaching, Therapy, and Stigma: A Discussion with Gina Pera

The Christina Crowe Podcast: Making the invisible VISIBLE

Show Notes

Today your host, is psychotherapist Christina Crowe; I love making invisible things visible. Today I’m talking to Gina Pera, an internationally recognized author, speaker, and educator on Adult ADHD.

Gina and I talk about:

The influence of ADHD medication efficacy in therapy or coaching outcomes,

The challenges of generic psychostimulants and what folks should know,

The challenge of sorting through what we should be really focusing on in coaching or therapy for adults with ADHD,

A peek behind the scenes of the ADHD advocacy world.

Guest Bio: For 25 years, Gina Pera has empowered adults with ADHD and their loved ones, raising the standard of care through her books, blog, conference presentations, and online education. A veteran award-winning journalist, Gina discovered her husband's ADHD in 1997 through a chance reading of a neurobiology book, not through their repeated couple therapy attempts. This revelation improved their lives and marriage, sparking her passion for public education on ADHD. In 2008, she published "Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.?" and launched her award-winning blog, ADHD Roller Coaster. Gina was invited to contribute the first-ever chapter on couple therapy for ADHD to Russell Barkley's clinical guide. Find Gina: Website | LinkedIn

Resources for After the Show:

The Dig Deeper School: ADHD Medication and psychoeducation for therapists (or other non-medical clinicians)

Read: The Dig Deeper Blog

The OG: The ADHD Resource Hub, and learn more about the gold standards for ADHD Treatment.

Find Christina (CRPO #3908): Website |Find a Therapist |Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram |TikTok | X

A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina nor Katie are not your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our Resources page on our website.

LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio| AmazonMusic RSS

More from The Christina Crowe Podcast: Making the invisible VISIBLE

Dec 8, 2025

Certified Financial Planner Julia Chung joins host and psychotherapist Christina Crowe, to break down why traditional budgeting advice fails ADHD brains and what actually works. They explore systems that reduce overwhelm, the emotional beliefs that shape money decisions, and how to build financial stability without shame. A clear, grounded conversation for anyone who wants money to feel less chaotic and more aligned with real life.

Nov 17, 2025

When ADHD goes undiagnosed, the line between coping and addiction can blur fast. In this candid conversation, Christina and her guest, psychotherapist Kathleen Killen, both therapists, explore how late ADHD diagnosis can reshape the story of substance use, recovery, and self-understanding. Together, they unpack the grief of missed years, the fear of taking stimulants in sobriety, and the ongoing work of emotional regulation and healing.

Nov 10, 2025

Compassion fatigue and prolonged isolation have left us caring alone. Join Psychotherapist Christina Crowe for a brief exploration of how to rebuild collaboration and co-regulation in our post-isolation culture.

Oct 20, 2025

In this Hot Take, psychotherapist and group practice owner Christina Crowe, RP, shares an unfiltered look at why running a group practice is not just “more therapy” but an entirely new career path in entrepreneurship and leadership. Drawing from a decade of experience building a successful Ontario group practice, Christina breaks down the training gaps, financial strains, leadership struggles, and blind spots that many clinicians face when they dive into business ownership without preparation. If you’re a therapist considering starting a group, this episode offers both a reality check and encouragement. It’s not about failure; it’s about understanding the truth of what you’re signing up for and why mentorship, systems, and self-awareness are non-negotiable for long-term success.

Oct 13, 2025

How do we make an impact without falling into the trap of co-opting ideas or voices that aren’t our own? In this short hot-take episode, Christina Crowe, RP, reflects on the importance of authenticity, attribution, and integrity in the mental health field and beyond. Drawing on years of professional and lived experience, she challenges us to slow down, acknowledge those who came before us, and recognize the difference between being inspired and taking credit. This candid reflection unpacks why crediting sources matters, how to avoid performative advocacy, and why real impact depends on trust, reciprocity, and community. What You’ll Take Away: Why giving credit is essential for authenticity and trust.

See all episodes →