My Approach
I frequently have had clients tell me that they know something is irrational or have worked with therapists who “just listened,” but they still have a hard time making much progress on their goals. Thus, I work to help you explore your concerns, while I provide enough guidance, feedback, and resources so we can collaboratively come to some conclusions and understanding.
I strongly value creating a foundation of safety and trust where clients feel truly heard and understood, so that growth is possible. I operate from a strengths-based approach, meaning that I work with clients to recognize and build upon their own strengths, in order to help people create fulfilling, meaningful lives, rather than solely working to reduce problems. I also practice therapy in a secular (non-religious) and evidence-based fashion.
I’ll help you come to deeply understand your own unique neurotype and neurodivergent profile of needs and abilities. This will help you know how to advocate and communicate about yourself and your needs to others, how to find “your people” who can get and support you, and which mental health tactics to actually use for yourself, amongst all of the conflicting and often simplistic advice out there.
After most sessions, I provide optional reading material tailored to you and your concerns, at no extra cost. It can be hard to find information out there that fits my clients, as a lot of the resources about Autism and ADHD are based on a limited, stereotypical profile or outdated. I’ve sifted through the formal Autism/ADHD assessments, research, and new theories coming from those with lived experience to help find resources and tools that fit my high-masking, highly perceptive neurodivergent clients. I’m also dedicated and driven to staying updated on the newest theories and research. Though of course not required on your end, I’m also very open to anything you find you want to share with me that you think could be applicable to our work.
I believe in the importance of tailoring my approach to the specific and unique needs of my clients. Thus, I draw upon several approaches/theories. The main theories I draw from include: Autistic Centered Therapy, existential, humanistic, interpersonal process, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), trauma work, and parts work. At times I draw from some aspects of DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), Gottman Method, attachment theory, and psychodynamic theory, among others, adjusting them to suit neurodivergent clients. I strive to conduct therapy based on the latest and most sound psychological theory and research as well as information from the Autistic community.
In grad school I was told to never work harder than your client, but I disagree with that. Using a driving metaphor, I see clients as in the driver seat, but I’m actively in the front passenger seat with a very open mind and interest in your ideas of where to go first and foremost but also maps, the latest navigation equipment, and definite ideas of where we could go next, so we can decide that together as a team. Therapy is much more than a job to me; psychology and neurodivergence are really my main lifelong special interests and passions and purposes.
I am neurodiversity affirming. I have experience working with clients who are diverse in terms of race/ethnicity, neurotype, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, relationship type, disability status, size, age, and religion. Being multiculturally competent and aware is incredibly important, and I welcome conversations about these areas.
