Areas of Expertise
I am a neurodiversity therapist and I work with adults who identify with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, or giftedness. I provide therapy as well as neurodiversity / executive functioning coaching. For more information about coaching, please see below.
I have worked in autism and developmental services, dual diagnosis programs, participated in program development and systems navigation, assessment/treatment teams, hospital settings, community health care, multidisciplinary health care teams, community and school counselling, and consulted to schools.
Methods Used:
My approach is individualized and I use an integrative approach. I use a primary method as the foundation, in order to provide consistency in my work. The foundation of my work is Person-Centred Therapy. I am also trained in various other evidence-based modalities, which I use as appropriate based on my client’s unique needs:
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Person-Centred Therapy
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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)
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Exposure Therapy
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Motivational Interviewing
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Mindfulness
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Solution Focused Therapy
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Narrative Therapy
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Strength-based approaches
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Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR)
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Solution Focused Coaching
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Executive Functioning Coaching
What is Neurodiversity Coaching or Executive Functioning Coaching?
ADHD coaching has been gaining popularity in recent years. ADHD coaching, autism coaching, learning disability coaching (aka neurodiversity coaching) or executive functioning coaching aims to work collaboratively with clients who are (or suspect they are) neurodivergent or who have executive functioning issues, to work on individual goals. It is different from other life coaching in that it acknowledges and validates the academic, vocational, emotional and interpersonal life difficulties that are a result of traits associated with the individual's neurodiversity and works toward helping clients find ways to manage challenges. Coaching assists people in meeting them where they are at currently and helping them identify where they want to go. Coaching is practical, collaborative, goal oriented, and forward moving.
The coaching relationship seeks to:
✓Identify solutions rather than focusing on the problems
✓Invite you to do more of what is working
✓Help you develop your own resources that you can continue to use long-term
✓Promote your self-awareness and personal growth
✓Provide assistance to "do it here and now" during your coaching sessions
✓Does not offer advice
Is coaching right for you?
If you are looking for day to day practical solution, motivation, or to improve executive functioning and have already addressed or do not require deeper emotional work or mental health support, then coaching may be right for you.
When is coaching not right for you?
If you find that you would benefit from mental health support in order to address deeper issues, then coaching is not the right option at this time. If you require mental health support for issues such as depression or anxiety then coaching is not appropriate, but therapy is best.
