Our Origin Story

It's surprising how little education I received about various neurodivergences, such as Autism, ADHD and OCD in my graduate program. This isn't a knock to my specific program, as I've heard very similar things across the mental health field. Heck, it seems across other helping fields (medical providers, psychiatrsists, OTs, PTs, educators, etc.). Nick Walker, author of the book Neuroqueer Herieses proposes that there should be some sort of board that approves providers to work with Autistic folks, much like a licensing board operates. And to be honest, while this idea may seem radical to some, I completely agree. Why?

Because the numerous experiences that countless individuals have had with various institutions (such as education, healthcare, and mental health care), we often find ourselves experiencing one of several things:

• Being told it's all in our heads

• Being told it's just "anxiety"

• Being given the implicit or explicit messages that the way we move through the world is wrong and bad and we inherently need to change.

• Being gaslight.

• Feeling misunderstood

• Getting misdiagnosed

• Hearing that we can't possibly be Autistic because we're "social."

And it's ironic when the harm we experience is at the hands of folks who are in helping roles.

When I was diagnosed as Autistic well into adulthood, I realized how little I knew. So I dove in headfirst to reading books, listening to podcasts, listening to others' lived experience, building community with other Autistic folks, etc.

When I was diagnosed, I was on the last leg of my social work career. Trying out other schools with different learning models as a last ditch effort to sustainably practice social work in schools (spoiler: I came to realize that sustainble school social work is not possilbe for me).

So when I found myself at the end of another school year, burnt out as FUCK, I realized that I needed to make a change. Something I had always wanted to do down the road was be a therapist, so I pivoting to practicing in schools to therapy.

One one hand, I'm grateful that I was going through my Autism (and later ADHD) awakening around this time, because as I learned more and more from sooo many sources about Autism and ADHD, I realized that if myself and colleagues were going to support Autistic and ADHDers from a neurodiversity paradigm, that we needed to personally seek out additional training / support on our own, or work at a place that specializes in ND-affirming care.

Throughout my personal awakening, I naturally collected hundreds of bookmarks, saved videos on social media, books, podcasts, etc. And overtime I had created guides for others on a similar awakening. So it was a natural pivot to start collecting knowledge, and resources for professionals.

(Though, TBH, when I say natural pivot, it felt like a passion that I couldn't say no to. My justice sensitive part would not let me sit back and not engage in advocacy work related to ND-affirming care).

So I began sharing about the ND paradigm with colleagues, sending resources to those who were open, gently challenging their misconceptions about Autism, ADHD & OCD. Calling people in to conversation when harmful language was used. I created resources guides for them, such as a document about "social skills," and a "Neurodivergent Affirming Clinician Starter Pack: A starter pack to making your practice affirming for Autistic folks."

I began providing trainings to other professionals, consulting with folks about Autism, ADHD, OCD, and about ND-affirming care.

And I was in my element, y'all.

Fast forward to summer of 2025, and I realized that I could not sustainbly maintain my workload at a group practice, and I made the decision to cut back on hours, and later decided to open my own practice.

As I began dreaming, I realized that I needed to have a second practice where I could continue this work. A place where I could support folks from different lenses; coaching, consulting and training. I knew I had to do both. Because while being a therapist fills my cup in so many ways, I find a different type of fulfillment supporting others through coaching, teaching other professionals, and helping other professionals adapt a ND-affirming approach.

So here we are, at the inception of the Divergent Grove (un)Learning Collaborative!

I am SOOOO passionate about this work (ask friends, and colleagues who have experienced my info dumps). Or hey, if astrology is your thing too, I'm a Leo Sun, and Sagittarius moon, and have several more fire placements in my chart.

I am so eager to continue this work!

Check out our vision here

I would be thrilled to support you along your personal or professional journey.

If you'd like personal support understanding your neurotype(s), integrating your Autistic and/or ADHD identity into your life in a way that is sustainable, I would be thrilled and honor to walk this path alongside you.

Are you in burnout and need a guide? I've been there, several times over, and can be there with you in the dumpster fire, with a water bucket, and some tape.

Do you find yourself stuck in thought loops and need support getting out? (bro, same)! Then HMU!

Are you a professional who works with Autistic, ADHDers, and/or PDAers and wanting to learn how to support them in ways that honors who they are?

Are you a mental health professional or allied professional that wants to better understand OCD? OCD at the intersections of Autism or ADHD? I've got all three.

It's me, hi, and AuDHDer, PDAer with lived experience of OCD who also happens to be a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) and is trained in ND-Affirming approaches, ERP and ND-affirming I-CBT. (I've got other credentials and trainings - but those are some of the highlights).

I would be absolutely honored to support you along your journey. Fill out our forms here to take the first step!

Tale the first step today!