Neurodivergence Therapy in the Flatiron District, NYC
At Empower Your Mind Therapy, we have neurodivergent clinicians who work with clients on their diagnosis to find solutions, due to the barriers present in a neurotypical society, for characteristics of both Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that neurotypicals/pseudo typicals place judgments on within society.
We offer accommodations for needs in treatment, executive function coaching, phone coaching, neurodivergent group therapy, and assistance with paperwork.
EYMT helps clients with services including:
- Individual therapy
- Executive dysfunction support/coaching
- Group therapy
- Eating support
- Educational services
- Referral for diagnoses
- Support groups
“As a clinician with ADHD/ASD, I value the power of being an ND provider. It has been a journey learning my own diagnoses, and I enjoy every moment of learning the different ways ADHD/ASD present in clients. I have the privilege of working with ND clients both one on one and in groups, and I hope to reach more individuals who are curious about their own neurotype. I enjoy continuing to learn about the positive aspects of being ND, and I also enjoy working on lowering shame/judgment that commonly presents due to decades of misrepresentation and misunderstanding of neurodivergence.”
“I was diagnosed later on with ADHD, as many females are. I enjoy working with clients who suspect and/or have recently been diagnosed and are just starting to learn what it means to be ND in a neurotypical world. While there are a lot of barriers, I provide space to process and accept the diagnosis while helping clients recognize the many wonderful qualities of being ND. I love those ‘aha!’ moments when a client puts two and two together of previous behaviors with their ND diagnosis and realizes that it’s okay to do things differently than previous neurotypical expectations – it’s defining a new ‘normal,’ but on their own terms!”
What is Neurodivergence (ND)?
The basic understanding of neurodivergence refers to all people with brains that work differently than most – what society might deem as ‘normal’ – whether the condition is caused by genetics, birth, environmental factors, or traumatic experiences.
Biologically based ND diagnoses are ADHD and Autism.
ADHD: characterized by the need for stimulation in order to attend to stimuli. This includes inattention, hyperactivity or a mixture of the two which impacts communication, emotional understanding, expression, physical expression, stimming (repetitive or unusual body movement or noises), and learning styles or an understanding of the world around them.
Autism: characterized by overstimulation and the need to find homeostasis in order to attend to stimuli. Autism is characterized as a developmental disability and is expressed by a variation in communication, emotional understanding, expression, physical expression, stimming, and learning styles or an understanding of the world around them.
Neurotypical (NT) refers to a person who does not experience neurodivergence. A neurotypical person has a brain that works more or less in line with society’s expectations of what is ‘normal’.
At Empower Your Mind Therapy, we do not view Autism Spectrum Disorder as a disability as it exists. It is a disability to exist authentically in a neurotypical society not designed to accommodate variations in neurotype (i.e the way one’s brain operates).
ADHD Support in the Flatiron District, NYC
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is most basically characterized by a depletion of the dopaminergic system which impacts the client’s mental processing, emotional processing and medical needs. Clients who are diagnosed or curious about the diagnosis can experience inattention and/or hyperactivity which can impede emotional regulation, cognitive processing, executive function, social relationships, and work or school.
ADHD is characterized by three types: hyperactive, inattentive and mixed type.
Symptoms show up differently in each person, and it can be rooted in assigned gender at birth, which impacts diagnosis (early or late), as well as being misdiagnosed or mistreated for mood or personality disorders.
ADHD is complex, and at EYMT, we take a client centered and intersectional approach considering age, gender, race and other circumstances into account when creating a personalized treatment plan that’s right for each client.
Autism Support in the Flatiron District, NYC
Autism is a developmental disability which impacts internal and external response to stimuli, interpersonal effectiveness, communication, medical needs, and many other factors. Historically, Autism was viewed as a spectrum; however, at EYMT, we recognize the disabling aspects across all presentations taking into account the emotional exhaustion involved in the experience.
Autism is diagnosed through a battery of tests administered by a psychologist (PhD/PsyD). The process can be frustrating for those assigned female at birth, as the presentation can be different from the stereotypical understanding of those writing the diagnostic criteria.
At EYMT, our clinical team values undiagnosed ASD and supports all clients who are curious about a diagnosis through education, individual support, and group support.
How does an ND diagnosis affect young adults and teens?
Many young adults and teens are unaware of the societal barriers and positive aspects of neurodivergence. Instead, the diagnosis may tend to produce shame, self hatred, and emotional instability, increasing the risk of self-harm, suicide, substance use and isolation in both ADHD and ASD.
There’s a lot of internalized ableism that comes with undiagnosed and late diagnoses as well. Just as some of the EYMT providers have experienced varying times of diagnosis, we value the awakening or ‘aha’ moments that arise when connecting behaviors and societal barriers to being ND. Through the diagnostic process, there’s also a grieving process; Grieving and acknowledging the diagnosis and societal barriers that come with it, as well as accepting a diagnosis. It’s OKAY to experience any or all of the above feelings!
At EYMT, our clinical team values diagnosed and undiagnosed ADHD/ASD and supports all clients who are curious about a diagnosis through education, individual support, and group support. We work hard to explore the clients distress and how to limit the distress experienced due to societal barriers while bolstering the positive and exciting parts of being Neurodivergent!
We would be happy to answer any questions you have. Please call us for a free 15-minute phone consultation.
Neurodivergence Therapy in the Flatiron District, NYC
We provide neurodivergence therapy in our NYC office in the Flatiron District near Madison Square Park. Also serving the Village, Chelsea, Union Square, the Financial District and the surrounding areas.
Our Specialists
Alex Greenwald, Amber Petrozziello, Jillian Brandmaier, Kathryn Felicetta, Michelle Hunt, Peta-Gaye Sandiford, Sandi Eshun, and Taylor Lindskoog