Persistent Drive for Autonomy (PDA) highlights an overwhelming need for control in individuals, particularly impacting neurodivergent communities. This is often misinterpreted as avoidance but stems from a valid need for safety. Understanding this can transform support strategies from compliance-based models to nurturing collaboration, empathy, and choice in interactions.
By Dr. Panicha McGuire, LMFT, RPT™ Here’s why I would NEVER call the police for any mental health crisis. Ever. Every year, hundreds of people in the U.S. are killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Many are…
What happens when you grow up between two cultures and never fully belong to either? As a 1.5 generation Southeast Asian immigrant, I came to the United States as a child. I was young enough to adapt, but old enough…
In today’s hyper-connected digital age, it can feel like the world is on fire every time we open our phones or computers. Breaking news. Politically charged updates. Disheartening reports of yet another injustice. For many of us, “doomscrolling”, the compulsion…
Free short-term crisis counseling (1-4 sessions) for neurodivergent clients needing immediate support. Spots are extremely limited.
In life, we all need a group of people we can turn to for support, whether it’s to share a laugh, process an emotion, or ask for help when things get tough. These are the people who form what’s known…
For over 30 years, I thought I understood myself. I believed the depression and anxiety I carried were just part of my story, an inevitable weight I had to bear. It wasn’t until recently that I realized those struggles weren’t…
For many neurodivergent individuals, the advice commonly given for improving sleep—often referred to as “traditional sleep hygiene”—can feel frustratingly ineffective. ADHD, autism, and sensory processing differences, can significantly impact sleep patterns. The problem with traditional sleep hygiene is that it…
As winter approaches, many refugee families in Lebanon find themselves without shelter, warmth, or basic necessities due to recent air strikes and ground assaults. Forced to flee their homes in search of safety, they now face harsh and dangerous conditions,…
There’s a reason the search for a neurodiversity-affirming therapist can feel like navigating a labyrinth blindfolded. After all, the world was built for a different kind of brain (or should I say, the one type of brain). But fear not!…
Many people considering an autism diagnosis encounter frustration. Accessibility issues, insurance barriers, and a lack of clear starting points all contribute to the challenge. Perhaps most disheartening is the possibility of scoring just below the diagnostic threshold despite living the…
The healing power of music is undeniable. Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department” (TTPD), has become a sensational point of discussion, particularly for those dealing with grief, loss, and heartbreak. As a licensed therapist and certified Swiftie, I…
