It’s easy to tell when someone has a broken leg. There’s a cast, crutches, a visible sign that something needs care. But mental health struggles—and especially neurodivergent experiences—often go unseen. You can’t always spot anxiety, autistic burnout, or emotional overwhelm from the outside.
Sometimes, we work so hard to appear “normal” that we hide the very things that make us who we are. That masking can become second nature, even though it takes an enormous toll. It can lead to exhaustion, disconnection, and a deep sense of not being known.
That’s where the apple and orange come in.
We live in a world that’s constantly comparing people as if we’re all the same kind of fruit—as if we’re all apples, and anything different must be “wrong.” But neurodivergent people aren’t broken apples. They’re oranges. Whole, complete, vibrant in their own way. And just because an orange isn’t an apple doesn’t mean it needs fixing.
In my work as a counselor, I focus on helping neurodivergent clients recognize and embrace the things that make them different—and often, those things are also their greatest strengths. Whether you’ve masked your identity for years, or you’re just beginning to understand yourself through a neurodiversity lens, therapy can be a space to unlearn shame and reconnect with your authentic self.
You deserve support that sees you for who you truly are—not who the world expects you to be.
If you’re looking for a therapist who honors neurodivergence and offers compassionate, affirming care, I’d be honored to work with you. I provide secure, telehealth counseling to clients across Washington State.
Ready to feel seen, supported, and celebrated?