All Things Private Practice Podcast Episode 190: Letting Go of Shame in ADHD Business Ownership [featuring Priyanka Rao]
In this episode, I spoke with Dr. Priyanka Rao, licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Asha Mental Health, about what it means to be an ADHD entrepreneur — the challenges, the resilience, and how to thrive authentically.
Dr. Rao shared her late-diagnosis journey, how motherhood illuminated her ADHD, and the mindset shifts that fuel her leadership, coaching, and private practice ambitions. Her real-talk about embracing neurodiversity in entrepreneurship is a must-hear.
Here are 3 key takeaways:
- Embrace How Your Brain Works: Letting go of self-blame and outdated expectations is liberating. Accepting your unique wiring means you’re not lazy or disorganized — just wired differently. Plan for your patterns rather than fighting them.
- Permission to Delegate: You don’t have to do it all. Delegation isn’t a weakness; it’s a strategy for growth. Investing in support and systems early on helps you stay energized and focused on what matters most.
- Vision + Values over Hustle: Get clear about where you want to go and make decisions aligned with your long-term values, not just the next shiny idea. Surround yourself with supportive peers and mentors who can offer perspective (and keep you grounded).
More about Priyanka:
Dr. Priyanka Rao is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Minneapolis and the founder of Asha Mental Health, a private practice specializing in neurodiversity-affirming and multiculturally inclusive mental health care. She is also an executive coach for leaders and entrepreneurs, especially those with ADHD. As a late-diagnosed ADHDer herself, Dr. Rao brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her work, particularly in neurodiversity affirming adult ADHD and autism assessment. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Rao has extensive leadership experience, having served as Chief Clinical Officer of a large group practice prior to opening her own practice. When she’s not empowering clients to embrace their authentic selves, she enjoys reading, trying new foods, and spending time with her family and dog.
- Instagram: @ashacoach
- www.ashamh.com
- www.asha-coaching.com
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Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad, Alma, & All Things Private Practice — 2025 & 2026 Retreats!
Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.
The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.
✨ Alma
Thanks to Alma for sponsoring this episode.
Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.
✨ All Things Private Practice — 2025 & 2026 Retreats
All Things Private Practice has some amazing retreat experiences coming up in 2025 and 2026.
Join us in Edinburgh, Scotland, for the second Doubt Yourself, Do It Anyway Summit from July 14th to 17th, 2025! We have an incredible lineup of 12 speakers and offer 12 MBCCEs. If you're a leader or aspiring to start a group practice, join our Leadership Retreat in Chania, Crete, from September 6th to 11th. In 2026, we have two retreats in Queenstown, New Zealand. The first is for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs from March 1st to 8th, and the second retreat, Beyond Private Practice, focuses on moving beyond one-on-one therapy and creating alternative income streams from March 15th to 22nd.
Spaces are limited, so check the links to sign up today. Doubt yourself, do it anyway!
- Doubt Yourself, Do It Anyway Summit in Scotland: empoweredescapes.com/scotland-july-2025-summit
- Leadership Retreat in Chania, Crete: empoweredescapes.com/greece-retreat-2025
- Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs in Queenstown, New Zealand: allthingspractice.com/new-zealand-neurodivergent
- Beyond Private Practice in Queenstown, New Zealand: allthingspractice.com/new-zealand-income-streams
Mentioned in this episode:
Alma
I want to thank Alma for sponsoring this episode. Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details, and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.
All Things Private Practice — 2025 & 2026 Retreats
All Things Private Practice has some amazing retreat experiences coming up in 2025 and 2026. Join us in Edinburgh, Scotland for the second Doubt Yourself, Do It Anyway Summit from July 14th to 17th, 2025! We have an incredible lineup of 12 speakers and offer 12 MBCCEs. If you're a leader or aspiring to start a group practice, join our Leadership Retreat in Chania, Crete, from September 6th to 11th. In 2026, we have two retreats in Queenstown, New Zealand. The first is for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs from March 1st to 8th, and the second retreat, Beyond Private Practice, focuses on moving beyond one-on-one therapy and creating alternative income streams from March 15th to 22nd. Spaces are limited, so check the links to sign up today. Doubt yourself, do it anyway! Doubt Yourself, Do It Anyway Summit in Scotland: https://www.empoweredescapes.com/scotland-july-2025-summit Leadership Retreat in Chania, Crete: https://www.empoweredescapes.com/greece-retreat-2025 Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs in Queenstown, New Zealand: https://www.allthingspractice.com/new-zealand-neurodivergent Beyond Private Practice in Queenstown, New Zealand: https://www.allthingspractice.com/new-zealand-income-streams
The Receptionist for iPad
The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.