Neurodivergent Affirming Support
I offer online individual counseling to autistic adults who live in California
in English and Japanese. I am not accepting new clients at this time.
Some of the issues commonly experienced by
autistic people include:
-
anxiety
-
depression
-
postpartum anxiety/depression
-
traumas
-
eating challenges
-
sleep difficulties
-
suicidal thoughts
-
addictions
-
executive function challenges
-
rejection sensitivity
-
gender exploration
-
sensory sensitivities
-
autistic burnout
-
masking and unmasking
-
late diagnosis grief
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meltdowns and shutdowns
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low self-esteem
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shame
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abuses
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experience of being gaslighted
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bullying at school/workplace
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emotional blindness (alexithymia)
My hope is to work together with you
to build an accepting and compassionate space for you
to feel comfortable enough to be your authentic self
without feeling the need to mask, pretend, or try to fit in.
What
Online
Neurodivergent
Affirming
Counseling Space
Looks like:
Free Zoom consultation
Many autistic people (including me) dislike phone calls. I would be happy to briefly meet via Zoom. This is an opportunity to see if I am a good fit for you or not. No pressure. I am not a salesperson. I genuinely would like you to find a counselor with whom you feel most comfortable.
Communication style
Working with a new person can be challenging. Go ahead and turn off your video camera if that helps. If speaking is difficult, you are welcome to type in the chat window. I will respect how you want to communicate with me.
Sound
If you need sound, I would be happy to play some brown noise or instrumental music in the background. You are also welcome to wear earbuds so that you can listen to the sound or music that soothes you.
Cozy company
Please bring your favorite (weighted) blanket, a cup/glass of your favorite drink, and even your pet (I love cats!) as long as they do not distract you.
Intake paperwork
Do online forms overwhelm you? Do you need help such as body doubling? Would you like me to mail printed forms so that you can fill them out by hand? Please let me know how I can help.
Stimming
I always encourage stimming! Please bring as many sensory items as you would like. If you need movement, feel free to get up, stretch, and/or walk around your room. As for me, I like standing up during online sessions. Oftentimes, my hands are touching a fidget while my feet are quietly stepping on an acupressure mat.
Smell
The beauty of virtual sessions is that each of us can choose whatever smell we prefer without having to worry about the other person. Feel free to explore candles, essential oils, fresh fruit, etc. to find the most comforting smell to help you feel relaxed.
I respect YOU
You and I may share many things in common as neurodivergent, but I show you the utmost respect to meet you where you are, to see who you are, and to hear what you have experienced as a unique and precious person.
I take my life mission and passion to support the neurodivergent community extremely seriously. I have received multiple trainings by neurodivergent affirming mental health professionals who are neurodivergent themselves over the years and will continue to learn and grow as an advocate.
