I’m Patricia Young. I live in California.
Trauma Resulting From Being Neurodivergent
You probably want to know if I know what I’m doing. If you’re neurodivergent, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced trauma, just from people not getting you (of course there may be additional trauma). It’s painful when you believe there is something wrong with you. I’ve worked really hard to do my own work (and it’s ongoing). The benefit to you, is that I know what it’s like to struggle. It makes me really empathic, and I get it. Because I’ve done my own work, I know what has been effective. My own healing work has guided how I help others who have neurodivergent brains manage big feels; learn to embrace their traits, improve self-care, set clear boundaries, reduce anxiety, increase mindfulness and provide tools to calm our overactive nervous systems, and so much more.
What I know
What I’ve learned about Sensitives, Creatives, Deep Thinkers and Deep Feelers is that most of us have felt different from everyone else for most of our lives. This is why I started a podcast. I want you to know that you are not alone. In spite of having struggles, we have so many gifts to offer the world. When we do our own work, we begin to thrive with our finely-tuned nervous systems.
What I love
I’m an avid kayaker. I love laughing, playing games, being creative, and spending time with family and friends. Paddling my kayak gives me tremendous joy!. Neurodivergents tend to LOVE animals, and I’m no exception!
Why Coaching and Not Therapy
I am only speaking for myself here-let’s be really clear
Coaching allows me the freedom to show up authentically. I often ask if it’s helpful to hear a personal story (this is how neurodivergents show we understand by sharing a story to demonstrate empathy and understanding). You are ALWAYS welcome to decline! I encourage you to let me know what does and does not work for you. I’ve heard stories about therapists talking about themselves and it has NOT been helpful.
Many Highly Sensitive Persons, ADHDers and Autistics have been misdiagnosed with depression, anxiety, OCD, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and a host of other disorders. I have always believed in looking at the things the client struggles with, and I have tried to understand how these struggles impact the client’s life and what they are wanting to have in their life.
With coaching, and the work I’ve done with many HSPs and other neurodivergent folks, I find I do my best (and most effective) work when the client wants to make changes; the client wants to understand about their traits, and they want to learn tools so they experience less suffering.
With coaching, I like to get in there and roll up my sleeves, and actively create change with my clients. There is plenty of room for feelings and processing (because that’s what we do as deep thinkers), but I feel I have more freedom to help guide clients through experiences, and to provide tools and feedback so we’re working together to create change. You still get to set the pace, and I honor allowing you to move at a pace that honors your needs.
How Coaching Works
Coaching is a dynamic process. I actively engage and work with you to achieve your goals.
I switched to a coaching model because I found it to be more effective when working with my neurodivergent clients. I provide education, and we look at what’s keeping you from living the life you want.
My coaching style is gentle, compassionate, and very accepting; however, this doesn’t mean that I will just sit and nod during your coaching sessions. I actively participate, and I will be honest with you, and I will encourage you to push and challenge yourself. I provide a lot of information about HSPs, ADHD and Autism (depending on the client) since many people don’t realize that much of what they struggle with is related to how their brain is wired.
EDUCATION/LICENSE
- California Licensed Clinical Social Worker #23459 2006 – 2023 (current status inactive)
- MSW, Graduate School of Social Work, San Diego State University 1998
- B.A. Social Work, San Diego State University
- A.A. Interpreting for the Deaf-honors, San Diego Mesa College
- A.S. Selected Studies-honors, San Diego Mesa College
TRAINING
- Host of the podcast Unapologetically Sensitive
- HSP Competent Therapist (listed on Dr. Elaine Aron’s Website)
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MSBR)
- The Art & Science of Mindful Self-Compassion
- 8 Day Mindful Self-Compassion Silent Retreat-There is Nothing Wrong With You
- The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach
- Marianne Williamson-Mid-Life Awakening
- The Body Keeps the Score Trauma Healing
- Ages and Stages of Learning and ADHD
- Clinical Supervisor
- Brain Warrior’s Way
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
- Extensive work with 12-step programs
