To be nobody but yourself in a world that’s doing its best to make you somebody else is to fight the hardest battle you are ever going to fight. Never stop fighting.
-e.e. cummings
“A Poet's Advice to Students” (1965)
Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy
Helping you learn more about your neurodivergence, understand and accept who you are and live an authentic life are foundational to my neurodiversity-affirming therapy.
Features of Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy
Whether you decide to work we me or another provider or realize that therapy isn’t for you right now, it is important to know what to look for in a therapist (whether neurodivergent or not).
While you might not identify as neurodivergent, I believe that these foundational elements are good for everyone.
provides individualized services based on an understanding of non-pathologized neurodivergence
recognizes that each client is unique and seeks to understand each client for who they are
recognizes increased risk of suicide, self-injury and substance abuse experienced by neurodivergent individuals
recognizes that neurodivergent clients may have experienced trauma, including therapy-related trauma
actively works to identify and address stigma (both in the community and internalized) and associated “camouflaging” and shame
appropriately modifies strength- and evidence-based treatments to each client and context
does not aim to “cure” neurodivergence
provides multiple means of communication, including therapy sessions via video, audio-only, chat, and asynchronous messaging
Stigma, shame, and “masking”
Most neurodivergent people have encountered negative messaging (directly or indirectly, intentional or not) about neurodivergence.
Experiencing these negative messages can be distressing and even traumatic.
Individuals and systems that stigmatize neurodivergence may contribute to poor mental and physical health care, limited access to educational and work opportunities, fewer social connections, and exhaustion for neurodivergent people.
Internalizing stigma (even when unintentional and unrecognized) leads to a negative self-concept and shame.
Neurodivergent people often address this negativity by attempting to avoid appearing neurodivergent. This is often called “camouflaging” or “masking” neurodivergence.
“Masking” or “camouflaging” is associated with depression, anxiety, burnout, and risk of suicide in the neurodivergent community.
But, stopping masking is difficult.
It requires that neurodivergent individuals learn and accept who they are with honesty and self-compassion.
AND
It must also involve helping the neurotypical community be more functional and safer for neurodivergent folk.