Counseling for All Brains & Nervous Systems

Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy
in California

Understanding Your Neurotype

Neurodiversity is the natural variation in how human brains think, learn, and process the world. Neurodivergence refers to individuals whose brains function differently from societal norms, including ADHD, autism, AuDHD, and other cognitive profiles. Understanding your neurotype can provide clarity, reduce self-blame, and guide strategies for thriving in daily life.

Here are a few of the ways I help adults, families and partners reach their goals using a neurodivergent-affirming lens:

In-person or Online

Therapy shouldn’t be a burden, but for those with sensory sensitivities, time management challenges, or social anxiety, it can feel stressful. While I welcome in-person sessions at my Solvang, CA office if you’re nearby, telehealth offers a flexible alternative. You can participate from the comfort of your own space, in clothes that feel good, without the stress of commuting. Online therapy is secure, accessible, and just as effective.

Learn Sustainable Skills and "Life Hacks"

Much like working with an ADHD or Autism coach, you’ll have the opportunity to learn practical skills and “life hacks” that make daily life easier. This can include strategies to:

Increase distress tolerance and cope with big emotions
Boost focus and attention
Improve relationships and communication
Strengthen memory and executive functioning skills
Regulate your nervous system for better emotional and physical balance

My integrative approach looks at all aspects of your life—social, emotional, cognitive, and physical—so we can build a holistic, individualized plan that addresses your unique needs and helps you thrive.

Affirming Approach to Care

Affirmative, supportive care that honors the full range of human identities and experiences, informed by multicultural, disability and neurodiversity-affirming perspectives. This practice is inclusive of LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities and neurodivergent clients and centers on respect, safety, and collaboration.

Neurodivergent-Affirming Support for Mixed Neurotypes

Relationships can be especially challenging when partners have different neurotypes (e.g. Autism, ADHD, AuDHD). Differences in communication styles, sensory needs, emotional processing, and coping strategies can lead to misunderstandings, frustration, and disconnection.

For neurodivergent-affirming couples therapy, we focus on helping you understand and respect each other’s nervous system and different traits, build practical strategies for connection, and create a relationship dynamic that honors both partners’ needs.

Integrative & Evidence-Based

An integrative approach allows therapy to be tailored to each client’s unique needs. Neurodivergence affects how we think, feel, and respond to the world, so no single approach works for everyone. I draw from evidence-based practices while adapting them to your neurotype, nervous system, and lived experiences — combining strategies that are both research-supported and practical for real life. The goal is therapy that actually fits you, not the other way around.

Direct Communication

I prioritize clear, straightforward communication to reduce confusion and stress. For neurodivergent clients, this means explaining why we are doing each activity, teaching skills step by step, and helping you recognize patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and relationships. The goal is to give you tools and understanding so you can navigate challenges confidently, without always relying on a therapist.

Growing at Your Pace

Some people come to therapy knowing exactly what they want to work on, while others simply want to reduce stress, feel more comfortable in their lives, or understand themselves better. We can move at a pace that works for you.

If you’re looking for a more focused approach, we can structure sessions to maximize efficiency and help you reach your goals faster. If you’re interested in long-term growth, we can start by exploring your goals, patterns, and obstacles — building understanding and skills step by step. Therapy is most effective when it fits your needs, timing, and rhythm.

Differences in Presentation

No two neurodivergent brains look the same. The way a neurotype presents can be shaped by gender, masking, upbringing, trauma, cultural expectations, and life experience which can sometimes lead to misdiagnosis if these factors aren’t fully understood.

I focus on understanding your unique experiences rather than assuming one-size-fits-all traits. This allows therapy to be tailored to your presentation, helping you address challenges, build on strengths, and feel seen and understood for who your awesome, authentic self.

Embrace your neurotype.

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Neurodivergence: Areas of Focus

These are just some of the areas of neurodivergence that I treat. Contact me for your free consultation or with any questions you have related to neurodiversity-affirming therapy.

Neurodivergent Areas of Focus

ADHD

ADHD in adults often looks very different than the “hyperactive child” stereotype. Many adults experience executive functioning challenges, emotional intensity, sensory overwhelm, or difficulty with organization and time management — sometimes alongside chronic illness, addiction, or anxiety. You may have spent years masking your differences, doubting yourself, or struggling in environments that weren’t built for neurodivergent brains.

I provide ADHD-informed, neurodivergent-affirming therapy that focuses on understanding your unique cognitive profile, developing practical strategies, and reducing shame. In therapy, we will discover how ADHD interacts with your relationships, work, and self-concept. We will harness your strengths while creating systems that actually support your brain.

Autism

Autism in adults is often misunderstood, especially when it doesn’t match stereotypical portrayals. Many autistic adults experience sensory sensitivity, social exhaustion, intense interests, executive functioning differences, or challenges with change; often alongside chronic illness, anxiety, or ADHD. You may have spent years masking, adapting, or doubting yourself to fit others' expectations.

I provide autism-informed, neurodivergent-affirming therapy that focuses on understanding your unique profile and supporting your nervous system, relationships, and self-expression. Together, we explore strategies that honor your needs, reduce overwhelm, and help you navigate the world in a way that feels authentic, while validating your experiences and strengths as an autistic adult.

AuDHD

AuDHD describes adults who experience both ADHD and autism traits. This combination can bring intense creativity, hyperfocus, and unique problem-solving skills accompanied by challenges like sensory overwhelm, executive functioning difficulties, emotional intensity, and masking fatigue. Many adults with AuDHD have spent years feeling “different” without realizing there was a framework that could explain their experiences.

I provide neurodivergent-affirming therapy tailored to AuDHD, helping you understand how your traits interact, manage energy and attention, and navigate relationships and daily life. Together, we focus on strategies that respect your nervous system, reduce overwhelm, and honor both your strengths and challenges; supporting you in living authentically and with clarity.

Late-Diagnosed

Receiving a neurodivergent diagnosis later in life can bring relief, clarity, and validation. It can also stir up grief, anger, or uncertainty about the past. Many late-diagnosed adults reflect on years of masking, misunderstandings, and feeling “different” without a name for why. You may be navigating relationships, career decisions, or health challenges through a new lens.

Therapy can help you process your experiences, understand your strengths and challenges, and integrate your diagnosis into your sense of self. Together, we explore practical strategies, self-compassion, and identity affirmation so that your diagnosis becomes a tool for clarity and empowerment, not a source of shame.

Additional Neurodivergent Areas of Focus

Diagnosis

Whether you’re seeking referrals for a comprehensive evaluation (for IEPs, workplace accommodations, or formal documentation) or you’re wanting space to thoughtfully explore a suspected diagnosis, I can help.

I provide collaborative, neurodivergent-affirming diagnostic exploration in therapy. Together, we review developmental history, lived experiences, assessments and current challenges to better understand how your brain works — without rushing to pathologize. If a formal assessment from a psychologist is needed for accommodations, I can connect you with trusted providers.

Parenting

Parenting a neurodivergent child can bring both deep joy and unexpected challenges. You may be navigating school systems, meltdowns, sensory needs, executive functioning differences, or feeling unsure how to support your child without repeating the patterns you experienced growing up. Some parents discover their own neurodivergence in the process; others are learning how to parent across different neurotypes.

I offer neurodivergent-affirming, systems-oriented support for families. Together, we look at how each person’s nervous system, communication style, and sensory profile interact within the family dynamic. Rather than focusing on “fixing” the child, we build understanding, practical accommodations, and relational strategies that reduce conflict and increase connection across the whole system.

LGBTQ+ Affirming

Neurodivergence and LGBTQ+ identities often intersect, shaping how individuals experience relationships, identity development, and belonging. Many clients come to therapy carrying the weight of masking, minority stress, or internalized shame.

My practice is explicitly LGBTQ+ affirming. Together, we focus on resilience, authenticity, and building a life that feels aligned with who you are and how you want to show up in the world. Our work centers safety, self-trust, and autonomy. You deserve support that understands the full context of your identity.

Mixed Neurotype Relationships

Relationships can be especially challenging when partners have different neurotypes. Differences in communication styles, sensory needs, emotional processing, and coping strategies can lead to misunderstandings, frustration, and disconnection.

In therapy, we focus on helping you understand and respect each other’s nervous system and neurodivergent traits, build practical strategies for connection, and create a relationship dynamic that honors both partners’ needs.

Related Conditions

Many neurodivergent adults experience overlapping challenges. These are areas where I provide additional specialized support:

Chronic Illness

I specialize in working with individuals living with chronic illness and chronic pain, including the POTS/hEDS/MCAS trifecta, autoimmune conditions, migraines, endometriosis, fibromyalgia and much more.

Clients often times come to be in perimenopause when symptoms suddenly appear or worsen. This is an another area of expertise that I can support you in on this journey.

I stay informed on current research regarding the overlap between chronic health conditions, nervous system dysregulation, trauma, and neurodivergence. Click here to learn more.

Grief

Grief isn’t only about death. Many neurodivergent adults carry grief for missed diagnoses, years spent masking, relationships that felt confusing, or the version of themselves they were told they “should” be. Chronic illness, burnout, and capacity changes can also bring waves of loss that others may not fully see.

In our work, grief is not rushed or minimized. We make space for the anger, relief, sadness, and complexity that can come with loss — especially when it’s layered or disenfranchised. You don’t have to justify why it still hurts.

Anxiety

Anxiety and neurodivergence often overlap — even when it doesn’t look like “classic” anxiety. What’s labeled as generalized anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can sometimes be sensory overwhelm, intolerance of uncertainty, hyperfocus, or a nervous system that has been living in chronic stress.

I provide a neurodivergent-affirming approach to anxiety work that reduces shame and unnecessary pathologizing. Instead of asking, “How do we eliminate this?” we ask, “What is your nervous system trying to protect you from?” From there, we focus on practical relief, regulation, and sustainable coping.

Relationship Conflict

Do you keep having the same argument in different forms? One partner shuts down while the other escalates. One feels unseen; the other feels criticized.

In our work, we explore your neurotypes, identify the patterns underneath the conflict, and reimagine your relationship with more connection and clarity. The goal isn’t to “fix” either of you. It’s to create understanding, shared language, and new ways of responding that interrupt the cycle. Click here to learn more.

Resources

I am constantly providing resources to my clients from books to podcasts to support tools. Here are a few of my top resources for learning more about neurodivergence from an affirming lens:

Neurodivergent Insights