What if the answers to your ADHD and anxiety struggles don’t always look like pills or planners?

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I’ve tried everything, but something still feels off,” you’re not alone. On this episode of The Vibe With Ky Podcast, I sat down with licensed therapist and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner Chelsie Maccarone, who blends Eastern and Western approaches to help her clients feel more balanced, grounded, and empowered.

Whether you’re neurodivergent, anxious, or just feeling disconnected from your body, this conversation opened up so many new ways to think about healing, without tossing out everything you’ve tried before.

Listen or watch the full episode:

Meet Chelsie Maccarone

Chelsie Maccarone is a licensed therapist and TCM practitioner based in Austin, Texas. She brings together her training in Western mental health with the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine, like acupuncture, herbal support, and mind-body balancing techniques, to help her clients address the root causes of what’s keeping them stuck.

“I have a master’s in counseling. And then I went back to school for Chinese medicine.”

You can learn more about her work here:

What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine and How Is It Different?

TCM isn’t about replacing Western medicine, it’s about expanding what’s possible. As Chelsie explains:

“So I think one thing about Chinese medicine is, it’s not so much ‘you have this symptom, take this thing,’ it’s a really comprehensive view of the whole person.”

In TCM, symptoms aren’t isolated events. They’re clues. Instead of focusing solely on a diagnosis like ADHD or anxiety, Chelsie looks at how your energy, sleep, digestion, emotional state, and physical sensations all work together.

ADHD and Anxiety Look Different in the TCM Lens

We talked about how ADHD and anxiety, which are often approached with medication or behavioral therapy, can also benefit from a holistic lens. Chelsie doesn’t discount the value of diagnoses, she honors them, but she also asks bigger questions.

“I’m not so much treating the ADHD, I’m treating how the ADHD is showing up in your body.”

That can mean looking at symptoms like poor sleep, restlessness, digestive issues, chronic fatigue, or racing thoughts, not in isolation, but as part of a pattern.

What an Intake with a TCM Therapist Looks Like

If you’ve only experienced therapy as talk therapy, Chelsie’s process may feel completely different, but in a good way.

“In the intake, I’m listening to how you speak, I’m watching your body language, your eye contact, your skin tone, I’m asking about your digestion, your sleep, your temperature.”

This multi-layered intake helps Chelsie identify which of your systems may be under strain. And no, this isn’t guesswork. TCM has thousands of years of clinical history behind it.

Addressing Emotional Energy as a Physical Thing

This part of the episode hit me hard, how often do we try to think our way out of anxiety or overthinking, when our body is holding onto something too?

“So let’s say you have anxiety, and it feels like your heart’s racing and your stomach’s in knots. In TCM, we might say the energy is rising or the digestion system is taxed.”

It’s not about blaming yourself for feeling off. It’s about giving your body tools to support your brain, instead of pushing harder.

Why This Matters for Neurodivergent Adults

Chelsie and I both agreed, so many of us are looking for answers that speak to both our brains and our bodies. Especially if you’ve felt misunderstood or unsupported by mainstream mental health systems.

“There’s nothing wrong with you. Your body is giving you information.”

TCM doesn’t try to “fix” ADHD or anxiety. It tries to help you understand how your energy systems are adapting, compensating, or burning out, and then works to bring you back to balance.

Real-World Steps You Can Try Today

Here’s what stood out to me that you can try right now:

  • Start asking your body questions. When you feel anxious, tired, or overwhelmed, pause and ask: “What is this sensation telling me?”
  • Track your patterns. Instead of labeling a “bad day,” look at what led up to it. Were you overworking, under-sleeping, skipping meals?
  • Consider support beyond talk therapy. If traditional therapy hasn’t been enough, it’s okay to explore other support systems like acupuncture or integrative medicine. You deserve that curiosity.

Mental Health Disclaimer

Please remember, I’m not a licensed mental health professional. I’m sharing my own ADHD and mental health journey, and the conversations I have with professionals like Chelsie are meant to support, not replace, professional care. Always consult with a qualified provider when making decisions about your mental or physical health.

Final Thoughts

This conversation reminded me how often we ignore the signals our body gives us, and how healing can happen when we finally listen. If you’ve been craving something different, this episode is a great starting point.

Go watch or listen, then let me know what stood out to you. Message me, tag me, or leave a comment. Let’s keep the conversation going.

Much love. Good vibes.
– Ky