Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT
presents
FOCUS on Women with ADHD: Screening, Assessment and Interventions for Psychotherapists
with Kara Cruz, LMFT, PMH-C
Friday, August 21, 2026
9:00am-12:00pm
Paradox Hotel
(611 Ocean St. Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
2 CE Credits
Sponsored by
Description
Women with ADHD are diagnosed an average of 5 years later than men and are twice as likely to be misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression, leading to years of untreated symptoms and increased mental health symptoms. Join this 3 hour live training to increase knowledge and enhance skills in screening, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of adolescent females and women who may be experiencing symptoms and/or impairment in functioning due to ADHD.
Educational Goals/Learning Objectives
In successfully completing and attending this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the symptoms (DSM-5 TR criteria), characteristics/traits and behaviors associated with ADHD.
- Differentiate between the symptoms of each subtype of ADHD (inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, combined type) according to the DSM-5 TR.
- Compare and Describe how ADHD Symptoms (characteristics/traits/behavioral manifestations) can be unique to girls and women versus boys and men.
- Identify appropriate interventions and resources for women with ADHD.
Presenter
Kara Cruz is an Neurodivergent (ADHD) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C), EMDRIA Certified Therapist™ and Continuing Education (CE) trainer. She is a private practice owner, educator, and clinical supervisor with over a decade of experience serving women navigating complex trauma, ADHD, and reproductive mental health; including perinatal, postpartum, and perimenopause transitions. Kara specializes in working with individuals and facilitating groups for women who are impacted by trauma, mood and anxiety conditions, and hormonal mental health conditions. In addition to her clinical work, she provides continuing education and professional training on topics such as Women and ADHD, Perinatal Mental Health, Perimenopause, and (complex) Trauma-Informed Care. She is the founder of Kara Cruz Psychotherapy & Wellness, where she provides individual and group psychotherapy and supports therapists and helping professionals through consultation, training, courses, and speaking engagements. She created Therapist Group Bootcamp Membership, a community guiding professionals through the steps of designing, planning and launching impactful signature therapy and wellness groups. She created and leads support and wellness groups for women, therapists and healing professionals.
Schedule
9:00am: Check-in/Networking & Breakfast *
9:30am-11:30am: CE Session
11:30am-12:00pm: Q&A & Networking *
* = non CE portion of day
Advanced registration is required for this event and must be completed at least one day before the event. Each individual seeking CE credits must register separately, attend the event, and submit the post-session evaluation to receive CE certificate within one week. The evaluation with attached CE certificate will be sent out to confirmed attendees by 48 hours after the event.
Cost
SC-CAMFT Member (Clinical and Affiliate): $50
SC-CAMFT Member (Associate and Student): $35
Non-Member: $60
Non-Member (Associate/Student): $45
*Registration closes Wednesday, August 19.*
If you are not logged in yet and are a member of our chapter, please me sure to log in here.
Continuing Education Provider #62284: This training meets the qualifications for 2 hours continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Course completion certificates will be available to attendees after completion of the session evaluation and sent by email no later than three weeks after the session. The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
Cancellation/Refund Policy: Due to this program being managed by volunteers, there are no cancellation refunds for this program.
Special Accommodations: The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT is committed to providing a presentation that is accessible to all who wish to attend. If you have a special need and plan to attend, please notify us at president@santacruztherapist.org. Requests must be made one week in advance.
Grievances/Other Questions: Contact SC-CAMFT at president@santacruztherapist.org.