Unfurling Ferns Therapy

05/14/2026

Many people enter therapy carrying histories where boundaries, consent, autonomy, or emotional safety were not consistently respected.

Because of this, it is not uncommon to struggle with noticing discomfort, speaking up, saying no, slowing things down, or even recognizing when something feels “off” in a relationship, especially one that involves vulnerability and a power imbalance.

Therapy should not rely on clients already knowing how to perfectly advocate for themselves.

Part of ethical, collaborative care is creating conditions where consent is ongoing:
where there is transparency, attunement, openness to feedback, room for questions, and space for clients to meaningfully participate in their own care.

05/12/2026

Many people feel uncomfortable asking for or using accommodations.

We are often taught that we are supposed to overcome challenges entirely on our own — by trying harder, changing ourselves, becoming more organized, more productive, more “resilient,” or finding a “better” way to do things.

But that framework often ignores something important:
the things that are difficult for us may genuinely not be difficult for others.

Accommodations are not about special treatment or gaining an unfair advantage. They are not about making life “easier” than it is for everyone else.

They are about gaining the tools, support, and conditions necessary to participate in spaces that were not designed with everyone in mind.

Accommodations help remove barriers so people can show up, contribute, learn, work, connect, and exist more sustainably — without burning themselves out or sacrificing their wellbeing just to keep up.

05/12/2026

Starting a private practice as a neurodivergent clinician can become a pathway toward a more sustainable career and greater protection against burnout.

At the same time, it is a big undertaking, and I think it’s important to approach it thoughtfully. It’s not just another form of employment — you’re becoming your own boss and building a small business from the ground up.

But it is doable, and for many of us, it can be deeply worth it.

From one AuDHD clinician to other clinicians: here are some of the things I’ve observed while laying the groundwork for my own practice, along with some of the things that have genuinely helped me along the way.

No gimmicks and nothing being sold to you here — just wanting to share my experience in case private practice might also be a good fit for you someday.

I really believe neurodivergent clinicians have so much to offer, and I believe in you too. 🌿

05/09/2026

A mini personal essay on learning to embrace my own personal style as a therapist.

05/09/2026

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to AuDHD friendly therapy, but these are some of the things I’ve noticed can be especially helpful.

What gave you noticed helps?

04/28/2026

04/28/2026

Therapists are increasingly visible online, sharing education, advocacy, lived experience, and professional perspectives.

But what does ethical engagement actually look like?

Let’s explore this through the NASW’s Standards for Technology in Social Work Practice — with guidelines on how to navigate boundaries, self-disclosure, advocacy, and professional identity in digital spaces.

11/21/2025

I’m opening my books for December and welcoming new clients for individual therapy, ADHD evaluations, and Autism evaluations.

If you’ve been wanting a space that moves at your pace, I’d be honored to connect.

I’m offering:
• Individual therapy for teens and adults
• ADHD evaluations (4-session format + written report)
• Autism evaluations (MIGDAS-informed, narrative-based, ND-affirming)

Telehealth across Oregon + in-person sessions in Portland.

You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation through my website.🌿✨
www.unfurlingfernstherapy.com

11/16/2025

Something that has genuinely surprised me in my work — in both therapy and evaluations — is how varied people’s stories around cleaning really are. I expected clearer patterns, or a predictable “ADHD looks like this / Autism looks like that” narrative. But the more stories I heard, the more I realized that each person’s relationship with cleaning carries a depth I couldn’t have predicted. Listening to people walk through their lived experiences has been one of my biggest teachers.

Because when we look closer, it’s never just about neurodivergence. It’s about the homes we grew up in — our culture, family roles, birth order, gender expectations, and the patterns handed down to us. It’s about parents’ own neurodivergence, their psychological defenses, their trauma histories, their resources, and the level of stress or stability they were navigating. It’s about socioeconomic realities, immigration pressures, disability, and how much time, space, and support a family had to work with. These layers shape us just as much as our brains do.

Each person carries a story about how they care for their home that goes far beyond their individual neurotype. These stories stretch across generations, cultures, and locations — shaping how we learn, how we cope, how we find comfort, and how we create space for ourselves now. Our relationship with cleaning is a reflection of the worlds we came from, the people who raised us, and the histories we carry forward.

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