neurodivergenCE
The term "neurodivergent" covers ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, Tourette syndrome, and similar conditions. Whether you have one or several of these, the world can be tough to navigate. You might have to work really hard just to keep up with your peers. Neurodivergent people frequently suffer from burnout, and masking (hiding personality traits or tendencies to fit in socially) can take a psychological toll.
Work with a neurodivergent-competent therapist
Many of our therapists are neurodivergent themselves, so they know what it’s like to live—and thrive—in a world that wasn’t built for them. These are lifelong conditions, but working with a clinician can help, whether it’s navigating social situations (without feeling like you died a little bit inside), avoiding burnout, or developing executive functioning skills.
Our clinicians understand that being neurodivergent often comes with a paradox for high-achieving professionals. These conditions can be part of the reason you’re good at your job, and they can also make the workplace really, really draining and hard to navigate.
What’s a “jagged profile”?
Having a jagged profile means your skills are unevenly distributed. You might be an excellent student, for example, but struggle to motivate yourself to shower in the morning. It may be difficult to explain why you can give a lecture on patent law to a packed auditorium but have trouble talking to the Sephora cashier.
Common traits of people with jagged profiles include:
Being labeled gifted as a kid, but told you don’t “apply yourself”
Questioning whether you’re actually good at anything or if people are just being nice
Finding “easy” or “intuitive” tasks difficult and “hard” tasks easy
Feeling like you’re making up your struggles because you’re so capable in other areas
Hiding your failures so people won’t question your ability to manage your life or try to take away your independence
Being highly functional in specific environments and roles and falling apart in others
Having skills that come and go at different times for no clear reason
Not feeling like you can ask for the amount or type of support you need
Wondering why you can’t just “power through” and do things your brain can’t seem to let you do
We understand both the good and bad that comes with these conditions. We won’t enforce positivity or pessimism. We’re realistic about the challenges that come with having a brain that works differently.
As neurodivergent therapists, we also know that no two people with the same condition are exactly alike. You are the authority on your own experience. We start from scratch: That means we go in with no assumptions about what your experience is like, or what’s easy or hard for you. And we don’t simplify or reduce.
Do you need a diagnosis?
No. You absolutely don’t need a diagnosis to get therapy for your condition. We also know that there’s overlap between many of these issues, and that not everyone fits in a box. That’s why we use the term “neurodivergent.” Certain populations also tend to be misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed, and, for some, seeking a diagnosis can be harmful and invalidating.
While you don’t need a diagnosis for treatment, there are plenty of reasons to want one. For example, you might want to access certain services, or simply want confirmation about what you’re going through. While we don’t diagnose neurodevelopmental conditions ourselves, we can provide referrals to trusted practices that provide neuropsychological assessment.
Book an appointment
Working with a therapist who understands neurodivergence means you don’t have to do the work of explaining the challenges you face. Get matched with a therapist below, or reach out at (212) 203-7072 for a free phone consultation. You can also visit our staff page to see therapists’ bios, view their rates, and get in touch using their individual contact forms.