We offer virtual therapy support for ADHD and neurodivergent folks, based in Orillia, and offered across Ontario. For neurodivergent people, life can be completely overwhelming. Our neurodivergent-affirming therapy can offer support with late diagnosis ADHD and neurodivergence, including executive functioning, creating supportive systems, shame, grief, relationship issues and more.
ADHD AND NEURODIVERGENCE
SUPPORT FOR NEURODIVERGENCE
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Neurodivergent folks often struggle to maintain the same internal structure that neurotypical folks have, so one of our main focuses can be learning to work with your brain and finding the supports it needs, rather than expecting yourself to meet neurotypical ideals.
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Neurodivergent folks often deal with significant shame and guilt related to not being able to perform in the ways we feel we are expected to. We often learn to motivate ourselves with shame and urgency, which creates a perpetual spiral of burnout and stress. Therapy can help you untangle shame narratives and replace it with positive, compassionate motivation and structuring.
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With the additional stresses of life, rejection sensitivity, and all of the logistical demands of relationships, relationship issues can feel even more devastating for people who are neurodivergent. Therapy can help create supports, set realistic expectations for you and your partner, and help remove the shame of forgetting to text back.
What is adhd?
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a ****. However, we have found it better described as a issue with attention regulation. People with ADHD don’t lack attention, they typically struggle with being able to control their attention - like getting their brain to focus on a specific task, or to stop focusing on something.
What is neurodivergence?
Neurodivergence is an umbrella term used to describe ***. Neurodivergent folks often struggle with the regular structure and organization (or lack thereof) of life, because their brains work better within different structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We believe in a multi-pronged approach to managing ADHD. Medication is a great tool for some folks, but it doesn’t solve all your problems. Learning to create systems to support yourself, adjusting expectations and other stuff is equally important as reducing the symptoms.
Also, please note that therapists are not qualified to give speciifc recommendations about medication. We can, however, help you [decide if it’s right for you], deal with obstacles in getting it, and so on.
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Often times, we are taught very neurotypical ways of organizing our lives, and then we feel ashamed when those ways are insufficient to help us function. Instead of just giving you ore tools that may or may not work for you, we go deeper into identifying the specific needs you have, and places you need support, and we can help you figure out where are places you need more tools and structure, and where are places that you we need to adjust expectations.
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We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.
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We are generally taught that neurodivergence is a “disorder” - that is, that there is something wrong with us. Our neurodivergent-affirming therapy focuses both on understanding how in our society set up, neurodivegence does often create hardship and needs extra support, and at the same time, recognizing the ways in which neurodivergence equips us with precious skills like hyperfocus, excellent pattern recognizition and emotional sensitivity. We understand that it can feel like a blessing and a curse (and often, just a curse), and we strive to create space for the frustration, anger and grief, and then help you move forward into learning into your strengths and learning to manage your weaknesses.
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When someone we care about is neurodivergent, it can be hard to understand what they are going through, and what role you should take in supporting them. Caregiver burnout is real, and it can feel like you are constantly compensating for the ways your partner struggles.
We believe that the best support you can give to a neurodivergent partner is helping them find resources and create systems that help them function to the level they are able. This approach helps take the pressure off of you to compensate, while empowering them to in ways that work well for their brain.
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Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.
Max McKenzie’s approach to therapy is direct, collaborative and intuitive. They focus on the root cause of issues, rather than just symptoms, to help you maintain long term change. Max strives to hold space for you, challenge you and equip you with the intuitive knowledge and body-informed tools to grow through your areas of stuckness.
We provide secure virtual psychotherapy appointments throughout Ontario and within Simcoe County — Orillia, Gravenhurst, Barrie, Midland, Bracebridge, Collingwood, Coldwater, Washago, Oro-Medonte.