MEET DANIELLEI Help You Learn to Trust Yourself Again as a Parent of a Neurodivergent Child
Looking for a therapist who understands what is happening in your family is feels impossible. The ideas and suggestions they make work for other families, but not for yours. You already have a hard time finding friends and even doctors that understand, you don’t want to have to explain the basics of your experience to your therapist as well.
I understand caring for a neurodivergent child twenty-four hours a day. You may not be getting much sleep, or you might have to be able to supervise them all the time. Feeling constantly on edge, waiting for the next meltdown or the next time they lash out.
No matter where you are on your parenting journey or who your child is I understand and see you both.
I know the guilt, pain, and confusion. The judgment you feel from everyone around you when you are doing your best. The constant questioning yourself, if you are doing your best.
The stress when things aren’t going well. Wondering if this is going to continue for the rest of your lives. When you feel like giving up, but you just keep going because there is no other choice.
I understand the isolation, even with parents of other neurodivergent kids. Even from the people who are supposed to be on the same page.
I know the struggles of parenting a child with differences and how to help you help them.
Increase Understanding and Acceptance of Neurodivergence So Your Family Can Have Peace Again
I see you. I see you trying your best and still hearing experts tell you that this is a “parenting problem”. When the truth is that your child is different, and this isn’t about parenting. It’s about understanding their needs in a world that isn’t created for them.
I’m here. I give you a place where someone understands. Understands both you and your child.
I provide the support and guidance you to feel like you know how to be present for your child and yourself.
Whether you are watching your child go through burnout, trying to understand melt-downs, or how to interact with a child who needs really low demands (a child with PDA).
Or feeling lost and overwhelmed, trying to understand your child and what they are going through after a new diagnosis.
You might be experiencing burnout yourself to the point that you are also experiencing depression and anxiety.
In all of these places, I give you a peaceful place to explore yourself and get back to being the parent you wanted to be. We find ways to care for you as well as everyone else, so that you aren’t overcome with exhaustion and you can do what you need for the long haul.
After all, parenting a neurodivergent kiddo isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon that could last your whole life.
I provide the space and time for you to focus on you, so that you can recover from grief and disappointment if needed and then get back to your family. Together we will explore options and the best way to move forward for your family.
A Neurodivergent Affirming Therapist Who Understands
As a mother of two neurodivergent kids and a neurodivergent adult myself I know what you and your child are going through. I have worked with families like yours for over 25 years and lived it as well.
I know what it’s like to care for a child who does not sleep, worry that your child’s behavior or overall abilities will get worse, to fear that the world will quash their spirit and the very person they are. To not know what the future will bring.
I know what it’s like to have doctors misunderstand your experience or just flat out not believe you when you tell them what is going on with your child. To have therapists suggest things that just are not realistic in your life.
Education and License:
Ca LMFT 49740
LEND Medium Term Trainee – UC Davis Mind Institute
M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy – CSU Chico
B.A. Psychology – CSU Chico
Supportive Therapy For Parents of Neurodivergent Kids
My biggest fear for my children is that they will not grow up as themselves. That they will learn from what society tells them to turn inwards and become a version of what everyone else needs from them.
I want my children and your children to be able to be the best version of their genuine, authentic selves. This means teaching them that their brains are different and helping them to accept that.
But before we teach them acceptance we have to be there ourselves. For some the first stage of acceptance is experiencing grief and allowing that grief to run its course. For others it’s facing the feelings we have about people with differences.
We also need to learn about their needs and how to help them meet those needs. There are times when this starts with just understanding what is going on for your child but there are other times when we have to start with understanding what is going on for you.
So we learn to take care of our own needs so that we can show our kids it is important, and then help them to learn to meet their own needs as they grow.
I help you to cope with your own stress so that you can be the mother you want to be.
Trauma Therapy for Parents of Neurodivergent Kids
Another roadblock to our being the best parent we can be is trauma, whether it is negative experiences from when we were children (living in this world as an undiagnosed neurodivergent child), negative experiences as an adult, negative relationships as an adult, or even trauma from being the parent of a neurodivergent child.
Things like watching our child struggle to get their teeth cleaned, having them run out in the street when we looked away for just a second, or confrontations with the school district can all be traumatic and can all affect the way we parent.
I am trained in both Accelerated Resolution Therapy and Brainspotting, both of which have been shown to assist in getting the nervous system back to normal after trauma. When we have resolved these negative experiences we can be more present in our lives and allow our true selves to parent our children.
Ready To Reach Out For Support
Whether you need help understanding your child and their experience better so that you have be there for them in a way that is helpful or you need help processing your own feelings about parenting your child. With over 15 years as a licensed therapist working with families like yours, I know the best ways to help you meet your goals for yourself and your family.