My journey into this work began in high school, when I worked as an inclusion aide supporting children with developmental disabilities, including Autistic children. I continued finding my way back to this population throughout graduate school and internship, where wonderful supervisors helped deepen my interest in autism.

Psychological testing is where my understanding really began to shift. I worked with children, teens, and adults whose experiences of autism and ADHD looked remarkably different on the surface, yet who often shared similar challenges. It opened my eyes to how broad and interconnected neurodevelopmental differences can be, and how easily someone's experiences can go unrecognized.

My interest is also personal. Growing up with neurodivergent loved ones, I didn't always understand their experiences the way I wish I had. Looking back, that has helped me appreciate how important understanding and compassion are, not only for neurodivergent individuals but also for the people who love them.

These experiences continue to shape how I approach therapy: with a desire to understand people for who they are rather than who they're expected to be.