My Story

Like many people who go into this field, I started out simply wanting to help others. But over time, that aspiration grew into something much more meaningful as I began to understand my own experiences more deeply.

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I learned I was neurodivergent while I was in grad school. As part of our training, we had to take the same behavioral and personality assessments we would one day give our clients. Much to my surprise, there was a consistent pattern in every test I took: difficulties with attention and executive functioning. Looking back, I guess it wasn’t entirely surprising that those challenges showed up. What surprised me at the time, though, was that these aspects of my personality were considered abnormal.
 

A few years after taking those tests, I was formally diagnosed with ADHD. That diagnosis sent me on a journey of self-discovery. Finally, there was a name for what I had been experiencing—I wasn’t just broken. My brain worked differently. Understanding this simple concept gave me space to meet myself with compassion and start building a life that supported, rather than hindered, how I naturally function.
 

And, as is often the case with neurodivergent brains, I became hyperfixated on the topic of neurodivergence in general. Partly out of personal curiosity and partly because of the work I was doing in the schools, I dove into learning everything I could about ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and the ways these often intersect with anxiety and depression. Through that research and work, something else stood out: there was so much overlap in experience. I often found pieces of myself in multiple places: in descriptions of ADHD and autism, but also in the emotional intensity, burnout, and self-doubt so common with anxiety and depression. These shared experiences resonate deeply with me and continue to shape not only how I understand my own neurodivergence, but also how I show up for others.
 

This understanding has sparked a passion I hadn’t expected. There was—and still is—so much misunderstanding of neurodivergence and mental health in general, and it’s hurting people. It hurts me. It hurts my clients. It hurts so many others trying to navigate a world that often prioritizes conformity over authenticity, productivity over wellbeing. It made me ask a question that, unfortunately, still feels radical:

“What if we met people with compassion and understanding, rather than judgment and a push to conform?”
 

This question didn’t just shift how I see myself—it transformed how I practice. I know what it’s like to feel misunderstood or unsupported, and I also know the profound relief of finally being seen in a way that feels real. This perspective shapes everything I do as a therapist. It fuels my commitment to advocate for approaches and accommodations that genuinely work for you, not just what’s considered “standard.”

I bring that commitment—along with my professional training and lived experience—into every therapy session, so I can hold space for you and your story with the respect and understanding you deserve.

Whether or not you see yourself in my story, know that you’re welcome here. You don’t need a specific label or background to benefit from support that honors your experiences and helps you build a life that feels more sustainable, meaningful, and yours.