I had always known I was different from my friends, and as soon as I learned about Autism, it felt like I had rediscovered my life. Throughout the years, I struggled in many ways, and when I brought up the possibility of Autism to the professionals helping me, it was shut down. After many years and a lot of self-advocacy, I finally accessed a diagnosis of AuDHD.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been experiencing sensory sensitivities, missing social cues, struggling with change, and existing as a highly sensitive person. I experienced shutdowns and meltdowns, but didn’t have the language to explain them. Instead, I was diagnosed with persistent depression, which I now understand was likely Autistic burnout after years of masking. During that time, my family supported me in training a service dog, which gave me so much confidence and freedom, and this started my long-standing special interest in dogs. 

Like my neurodivergence, my queerness is also not a “part” of who I am; it’s an integral, inseparable part of my whole self. When I learned there were more than two options of genders, I knew right away that I was non-binary, specifically agender, which for me means I don’t feel like any gender at all. Coming out and finding other queer people gave me a sense of community I had been missing, and it also brought many other neurodivergent people into my life. For me, queerness and neurodivergence are deeply connected in how I experience the world, my relationships, and the spaces where I feel belonging.

Even before I had an official diagnosis, self-identifying as Autistic gave me a kind of freedom I had never experienced before. It gave me space to begin “unmasking” and to start figuring out who I really am underneath the layers I had worn for so long.

Since embracing my neurodivergence, I’ve learned to work with my brain instead of battling against it. With the support of neurodivergent-affirming professionals, I’ve found ways to care for myself that truly fit me. Talking with other Autistic people was a turning point in my self-acceptance and helped me reframe my experiences with compassion rather than shame. I’ve been able to build a life and systems that align with my brain and nervous system, even in a world not designed for me. 

Being a high-masking, late-identified, AFAB (assigned female at birth) Autistic meant that I was not seen as me for years. Rediscovering myself in my twenties, knowing I am Queer and AuDHD has been profound: full of struggle, immense joy, and love. 

My journey is lifelong, ever-changing, and filled with wonder at the unique ways neurodivergent brains and nervous systems move through the world. I hope to bring a similar sense of affirmation and possibility to the people I work with.

I lean towards an integrated person-centred approach to counselling, incorporating aspects of Somatic Therapy, CBT, Narrative Therapy and Existential Therapy, with mindfulness-based practices. In my practicum at Neurodivergent Counselling Services and in my future practice, I would like to work with neurodivergent and queer adults, supporting them in building lives that support their authentic selves and walking alongside them through life’s joys and struggles. From identity and relationships to daily stressors, unmasking, trauma, and self-acceptance, I approach it all from an affirming, trauma-informed, and strengths-based perspective.

I had always known I was different from my friends, and as soon as I learned about Autism, it fel... Read More

As an Autistic/ADHD counsellor, my approach is strengths-based, intersectional, and neurodiversity-affirmative. I believe that my role is to work alongside the individual to meet their therapy goals. The first step I take with any client is to develop a positive connection to help the client feel safe as it is only when we feel safe that healing can begin to occur. I am trained in Brainspotting, EMDR, and Internal Family Systems.

As an Autistic/ADHD counsellor, my approach is strengths-based, intersectional, and neurodiversit... Read More