Talk Therapy

I strive to make therapy as comfortable and enjoyable a process as possible, modeling compassion and curiosity about what makes you tick. Many of my clients stay with me for months or years as we take the time to shed light on patterns that were often subconsciously created as long ago as childhood, as a result of surviving trauma or other distressing experiences. I draw from a number of modalities, including attachment theory, ‘parts’ work, feminist theory, somatic experiencing, and mindfulness. We will likely explore boundaries - with yourself and others - identity, recognizing and responding to emotions, regulating your nervous system…and whatever else you bring to the table!

Get to know your brain and your nervous system

If you are a highly sensitive person (HSP), autistic, or have ADHD you probably already know you do things just a little bit differently…but I’m going to guess you’ve spent some years trying to do things like “everyone else” and getting frustrated with yourself when it didn’t seem to work. You are not the problem! When I got my ADHD diagnosis and then my autism diagnosis a few years later, it was like a lightbulb switched on and allowed me to find systems that worked for me, instead of stumbling along the path laid out for me. You’re not wrong, bad, or a failure - your needs and strengths may just be different (and how boring would it be if we were all the same!).

In session together, I will collaborate with you to develop strategies & set boundaries regarding the demands of work, school, relationships, and the outside world. At the same time, I will support your exploration into your executive functioning differences, sensory needs, and all the other experiences that make up your unique flavor of neurodivergence.

  • Absolutely! No two experiences are the exact same, no matter what diagnoses you may resonate with. If you resonate with therapy geared toward building self-compassion and an awareness of Self, I welcome you!

  • Basically, I challenge the idea that there is any one right way to think & be in the world. It means I recognize neurodivergent distinctions as natural and even evolutionarily necessary deviations from the "norm", and not as disorders to be behaviorally "fixed" or changed. Forced assimilation to neurotypical standards (i.e. "masking") is traumatic and can lead to burnout, depression, anxiety, and in extreme cases, even death. As such, my focus is on helping you understand and build compassion for your differences and needs, and find ways to work with your brain, rather than against it. If you are neurodivergent, I may help you find ways to unmask but I will never push unmasking either, as I recognize that we live in a world where unmasking is not always safe.

  • These days, many autistic people prefer "identity-first" language (i.e. saying "autistic person" instead of "person with autism"). This is because saying "person with autism" or "ASD" implies that autism is a disorder, when it's actually just a natural human neurotype.

  • As a social worker, I love a good resource! Here are some favorites:

  • I welcome self-diagnosis and consider it valid, for a number of reasons. Getting a "formal diagnosis" is not accessible for many people due to cost and wait times, and in fact may not be necessary unless you're seeking accommodations at work or school. Secondly, traditional autism assessments often miss individuals who are "high-masking" because these assessments focus on the perception of an individual from the outside, rather than the internal experience. I also find that it's much more common to meet someone who is actually autistic but afraid to identify as such because of imposter syndrome, than it is to meet someone incorrectly labeling themselves autistic.

    And let's be honest...if you're self-diagnosed, I'm going to guess you've done a ton of research on the topic and actually know what you're talking about!