Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy and You
Why work with a neurodiversity affirming therapist?
There can be a lot of shame that comes with having a brain that does things differently. Whether you're Autistic, ADHD, relate to being a highly sensitive person, or feel persistently out of sync...
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If you've gotten the message repeatedly that the way you take up space or view things is weird, wrong, or just... unique and you've put a lot of energy trying to pretend to be normal (whatever that is), make others' comfortable, and fit in:
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1. That's exhausting.
2. We'd like you to have space to explore letting you be you in therapy.
At Divergent Path Wellness we don't "fix neurodivergence." In fact, diversity and variance is a natural part of being human - not a problem. So, why do we prioritize neurodiversity-informed and affirming therapy?
We know that being a bit out of step with whatever "normal" is can cause you to feel like you're always on the outside looking in. That can be really dark and lonely. You're not alone in that experience.
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Being in community with people who get it is vital. It can also be challenging to be vulnerable and create meaningful connections if you've gotten the message that you being you is wrong.
People who see things differently often struggle with depression, anxiety, traumatic experiences and relationship challenges. Those things, what you struggle with, are what we'll address in therapy.
Neurodiversity affirming therapy is different
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We prioritize creating a space where you can show up as yourself. Got special interests? A current hyper focus? Bring them up (or with you)! What makes you tick is essential. Therapy that's useful for you includes what matters to you.
ADHD people do and have ADHD stuff. Autistic people: Autistic stuff. That stuff isn't right or wrong or good or bad, it's just stuff. We appreciate it as the stuff that makes you you. With navigating social pressure and untangling the mystery that is other people, there are challenges. Sometimes things can be less challenging, less heavy, when there's space to talk them through.
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What we do is therapy. Your mental health benefits from tending to. We use a model called ACT, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as a guide to help free you from the barrage of painful thoughts and feelings, creating change in your life that works for you.
You-affirming therapy
founded by an Autistic therapist with ADHD
During a therapy session, your therapist might play with a fidget toy, take a walk (if you're in-person and interested, doing things parallel is sometimes easier than face-to-face) or sit on the floor with you. If you're saying to yourself, that's weird: there's no requirement for this.
First, we support your agency. Second, we invite you to make yourself comfortable (really) and explore what works for you.
Here's a thought: Maybe it's possible to explore new ways to make things easier for yourself in therapy. If you give yourself permission to explore your expression and boundaries, there might be some ripple effect in your life. That might be cool.
Founded by a neurodivergent therapist with ADHD, at Divergent Path Wellness, we want therapy to be a space where you can share your passions and interests. Nerd out. We will work on the things that bring you to therapy and we want you to know there's space for you to be you.
Imagine this: you're getting ready to end therapy. You feel more confident and connected in relationships. There's strange new permission for you to take up space in the world in ways that work for you.
Your therapist has been in your corner and while they're solid and you can see how far you've come, you're ready to move on. You've discovered what works for you.
Today you can take a step towards a more confident future. Schedule your free consultation. Connect with therapy that affirms you.
Being neurodiversity-affirming requires trauma-informed therapy
Neurodivergent people experience higher rates of trauma than the general population. Can we both support you in a way that is informed of your neurodivergence with a trauma-informed perspective? Absolutely.