Our Brains Work Differently!
(Hooray for us!)
Neurodiversity-affirming therapy for ADHD, AuDHD, ASD, and other neurotypes. We help you understand your unique wiring, manage executive functions, and thrive on your own terms.
There’s Nothing to Be “Fixed.” Just a YOU to Be Understood.
For decades, neurodivergent folks have been told they are "lazy," "disorganized," or "too much." They've been prescribed willpower to overcome executive dysfunction and told to suppress their natural energy. But the problem isn't your brain; it's a world built for a different kind of mind.
At Pacific Pines Counseling, we embrace Neurodiversity-Affirming Care. This means we don't try to make you "act neurotypical." Instead, we explore how your unique neurotype (ADHD, AuDHD, Autism Spectrum, Dyslexia, etc.) shapes your experience of the world. We work to:
Stop the shame cycle of "why can't I just do this?"
Build systems that work with your brain, not against it.
Navigate sensory needs and emotional regulation in a way that honors your biology.
What We Address
We support individuals across the full spectrum of neurodivergent experiences, including:
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Struggles with focus, time blindness, hyperfocus cycles, and impulsivity.
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A unique intersection of ADHD and Autism, often involving intense sensory needs alongside executive dysfunction.
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Navigating social nuances, sensory processing differences, and the exhaustion of "masking."
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Difficulty starting tasks, organizing time, managing emotions, or switching between activities.
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Overwhelm from lights, sounds, textures, or a need for deep pressure and movement.
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The exhaustion of hiding your natural behaviors to fit in socially or professionally.
Strategies That Fit Your Brain, Not the Other Way Around.
Traditional therapy often relies on rigid structures that can feel impossible for neurodivergent brains. We adapt our methods to meet you where you are, using a flexible blend of modalities:
❋ ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy)Helps us separate you from your symptoms. Instead of fighting "distraction," we learn to notice it with curiosity and gently guide attention back to what matters. It's about making room for the ADHD brain while still moving toward your values.
❋ Somatic & Gestalt ApproachesBecause neurodivergent bodies often feel out of sync or overwhelmed. We use grounding, movement, and sensory regulation techniques to help you downregulate when sensory overload strikes or when emotions feel like a tidal wave.
❋ Narrative TherapyTo rewrite the story from "I am a failure" to "I am a neurodivergent person navigating a neurotypical world." We identify the times you succeeded despite the odds and build an identity of resilience.
❋ Motivational InterviewingTo help you find the intrinsic motivation to change behaviors that matter to you, rather than forcing compliance based on external expectations.
❋ Adapted CBT & REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy)We challenge the internalized messages of "I'm lazy" or "I'm broken." However, we don't just do cognitive restructuring; we build practical behavioral experiments to test what actually works for your specific brain type (e.g., body doubling, visual timers).
❋ Attachment Theory & Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT)For those who feel isolated or misunderstood, we use the therapeutic relationship to practice connection without judgment. We explore how early experiences with "not fitting in" shaped your self-worth.
❋ Positive PsychotherapyFocusing on your strengths, like creativity, hyperfocus, resilience, and unique problem-solving skills, to build a life where these traits are assets, not liabilities.
❋ Ecofeminist & Person-Centered LensFor many (especially those in marginalized communities), systemic oppression and environmental injustice is a factor of our lived experience. We validate these feelings as legitimate responses to real-world conditions, not just internal pathologies.
Specialized Support for the Neurodivergent Experience
You've been told you're "smart but lazy" or "not trying hard enough."
You feel exhausted from constantly masking your true self to fit in at work, school, or social events.
You struggle with executive function (starting tasks, time management) despite knowing what needs to be done.
You experience sensory overload or deep emotional dysregulation that feels overwhelming.
You've tried standard therapy but felt misunderstood or judged for your neurotype.
This path is designed for you if:
I’m Willing to Learn Your Language With You!
As a clinician who practices Neurodiversity-Affirming Care, I understand that your "symptoms" are often just different ways of processing the world. I don't view ADHD or Autism as defects to be corrected; I see them as distinct neurotypes with their own strengths and challenges.
My approach is flexible, collaborative, and non-judgmental (read: CREATIVE!). We’ll work together to:
Unmask: Explore the authentic parts of your behavior and discover which are survival strategies.
Accommodate: Build a life that accommodates your sensory needs and executive function style.
Advocate: Learn how to communicate your needs to employers, partners, and family members.
Whether you are an adult newly diagnosed, a parent navigating these challenges with your child, or someone who has struggled their whole life without understanding why, I am here to help you start working with your brain.
Ready to Start Working With Your Brain?
Let's build a life that honors your neurotype, leverages your unique strengths, and reduces the daily friction of existence.
We serve clients in Tacoma, Bellevue, Gig Harbor, Bellingham, Olympia, and throughout Washington State (virtual options available).