Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy for Children, Adults, and Parents in Sault Ste. Marie

When a child is not accepted for who they are, they may struggle to learn how to accept and value themselves. My work as a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist is grounded in a neurodiversity-affirming, brain-based, and relationship-focused approach to therapy and counselling that respects the unique ways each person experiences and moves through the world.

I provide trauma-informed counselling and psychotherapy in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and virtual therapy across Ontario for individuals, parents, and caregivers. This includes supporting parents of neurodivergent children and adults who want to better understand the deeper roots of emotional and behavioural patterns, rather than simply trying to manage or suppress them.

Rather than relying solely on traditional behaviour-based approaches such as rewards and consequences, my work focuses on connection, co-regulation, attachment, and attunement. These foundations help create meaningful and lasting change while supporting a sense of safety, understanding, and emotional regulation.

My goal is to help children, adults, and families feel seen, supported, and empowered, while nurturing authenticity, resilience, and self-acceptance.

A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach to Therapy

Being neuro-affirming means meeting people as they are—not who the world expects them to be. In my therapy practice, differences are not pathologized, minimized, or something to be “fixed.” Instead, they are understood, respected, and supported.

Here are some of the ways I strive to practice neurodiversity-affirming therapy:

Honouring lived experience
I listen closely to how you or your child describes your inner world. Lived experience is valued and guides the direction of our work together.

Reducing shame and judgment
There is no single “right” way to think, feel, communicate, or process the world. Therapy can be a place where differences are normalized rather than judged.

Understanding nervous system needs
Sensory overwhelm, shutdowns, intense focus, and emotional intensity are not character flaws. They are signals from the nervous system. Together, we explore what you or your child may need to feel safer and more regulated.

Welcoming movement, stimming, and pacing
Therapy does not require stillness or eye contact. Movement, fidgeting, drawing, quiet moments, or pacing are all welcome if they help you or your child feel grounded.

Collaborative, not prescriptive
The goal is not to change who you are. Instead, we work together to understand patterns and build supportive strategies around strengths, needs, and natural ways of being.

Respecting different communication styles
People process and communicate in different ways—out loud, slowly, internally, through stories, or through metaphors. I adapt to your style rather than expecting you to adapt to mine.

Making space for masking and burnout
Many neurodivergent individuals experience exhaustion from masking or trying to appear “fine.” Therapy can be a place where this is acknowledged and where it becomes safer to show up more authentically.

Being neuro-affirming is an ongoing and evolving practice. I continue learning, listening, and reflecting so that therapy remains a space where you or your child can show up exactly as you are—without pressure to hide, mask, or change who you are at your core.