Neurodiversity-affirming Therapy
What is neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is the idea that variations in the ways our brains work are a part of human diversity, which is a shift from the traditional belief that divergence from the norm is inherently pathological. We shouldn’t feel pressured to change ourselves just because we are different!
So often, neurodivergent folks are made to feel that they are defective in some way, and the pressure is on them to change themselves rather than on society to accommodate them. However, the social model of disability argues that the way society is structured is what is actually disabling, rather than individual differences.
For example, for someone using a wheelchair, a building’s lack of ramps or elevators is what actually limits their accessibility to services, rather than the fact that they cannot walk. Similarly, for someone with sensory sensitivities, overhead, fluorescent lights or loud noises may interfere with their ability to work, but awareness and accommodations can eliminate the barriers to participation they encounter.
This is not to say that these traits never create real challenges or feel inherently disabling. Rather, the neurodiversity framework recognizes that neurodivergent and neurotypical people alike have different strengths and challenges, while society tends to cater toward one dominant way of thinking, learning, and interacting.
What is neurodiversity-affirming therapy?
Neurodiversity-affirming therapy starts with a non-judgmental, collaborative relationship focused on fostering self-esteem, self-acceptance, and self-compassion. In our therapy sessions, we will work together to understand your unique strengths and challenges, helping you lean into these strengths in order to achieve your goals. Neurodivergent folks often report feelings of shame around their struggles, which can stem from a long history of focus on their so-called deficits, but I want to help you develop a sense of self-efficacy — the belief that you are capable. Embracing your differences and re-orienting your life towards what works best for you are both vital to developing this self-confidence in my neurodiversity-affirming approach, and I would be honored to partner with you on this journey!
Together, we can also explore issues like anxiety and depression that neurodivergent folks so frequently struggle with. For this population, their neurodivergent identities influence both the root causes and the presentation of these emotional challenges.
My experience working with people of all ages in this population has made me uniquely aware of the dynamics that shape neurodivergent folks’ stories, so even though I don’t know yours yet, I can partner with you in identifying relevant parts of your history that may be influencing your worldview today. Differences in executive functions, like the ones seen in ADHD and autism, also affect the way that emotions are experienced on a day-to-day basis. My approach to depression and anxiety is informed by my deep understanding of executive functioning, and I can provide psychoeducation and a seasoned perspective as we understand your unique presentation.