Valerie Willis, LPC

11/09/2026

This week, remember that your mental health deserves the same care and attention as everything else on your to-do list.

11/09/2026

The right people in your life won’t ask you to be someone you’re not. They’ll remind you of everything you’re capable of being.

Dan Aykroyd, the creative mind behind Ghostbusters, has openly discussed being neurodivergent and how his unique interests helped shape his career.

And that brings up something I believe so strongly: The people we surround ourselves with can make all the difference.

Neurodivergent individuals spend far too much of their lives being misunderstood, underestimated, or pressured to fit into a world that wasn’t designed with their differences in mind.

But imagine what happens when they’re surrounded by people who embrace those differences instead of trying to change them. People who recognize their strengths, encourage their passions, and celebrate who they truly are.

That’s the kind of support that builds confidence, self-worth, and a sense of belonging. ❤️

Neurodivergence isn’t something to be ashamed of, hidden, or fixed. It’s something to be understood, supported, and embraced.

Because sometimes, having just one person who truly believes in you can change the way you see yourself forever.

Different, not less. 💗💙

📌 EDIT/UPDATE: Due to questions regarding the historical accuracy of this story, I wanted to provide some clarification and additional context. While parts of Dan Aykroyd’s story are documented, other details remain unverified. I believe in celebrating neurodiversity while also making sure the information shared here is accurate. 💙

📌 A little clarification for those questioning the timeline of Dan Aykroyd’s autism diagnosis. 💙

Yes, Asperger’s syndrome wasn’t officially included in the DSM-IV until 1994. However, that doesn’t mean autism or Asperger’s didn’t exist or weren’t being recognized before then! Autism was included in the DSM-III in 1980, and Asperger’s syndrome was being studied and identified by clinicians long before its inclusion in the DSM-IV.

Dan Aykroyd has publicly discussed Asperger’s and Tourette syndrome, although his accounts of whether he received a formal autism diagnosis have varied over the years.

I also want to clarify that I haven’t found a reliable source confirming the specific exchange between Bill Murray and the journalist described in this image, so I don’t want to present those quotes as verified facts.

The purpose of sharing this was to celebrate neurodiversity, acceptance, and the importance of having people in our lives who recognize our strengths rather than judge our differences.

Awareness matters, but so does accuracy. And that’s something I’ll always stand behind here at Divergent Peace of Mind. ❤️

NPR – Dan Aykroyd Interview (2004)

https://freshairarchive.org/segments/dan-aykroyd-still-full-blues⁠

UPI News – Dan Aykroyd Discusses Asperger's and Tourette's

https://www.upi.com/blog/2013/12/26/Dan-Aykroyd-reveals-struggles-with-Asperger-and-Tourettes/5161388075706/⁠

Bullseye – Dan Aykroyd Interview (2024)

https://maximumfun.org/transcripts/bullseye-with-jesse-thorn/transcript-bullseye-with-jesse-thorn-dan-aykroyd/⁠

11/03/2026

My sincerest sympathies to all of you. Please reach out if you need anything . 856-270-8880

11/01/2026

🚼💜November is Prematurity Awareness Month.

Did you know, in 2023, 1 in 11 babies (9.3% of live births) in New Jersey was born preterm?

Babies who are born too soon, or prematurely, often face serious complications and hardships throughout their lives.

New Jersey's Prematurity Prevention Initiative strives to address this need by improving access to necessary supports that prevent prematurity.

🌐For more information about the Prematurity Prevention Initiative and to download free resources, visit ➡️ www.njpreterm.org.

10/29/2026

In girls, ADHD is often referred to as a “hidden disorder,” and with good reason. Most girls with ADHD have the inattentive type, which means that they have problems focusing but are not hyperactive and impulsive. But even those who are hyperactive and impulsive present with less obvious symptoms than boys, so it often goes unnoticed or unacknowledged. Instead of a diagnosis, girls with ADHD often get criticism from parents, teachers, and peers, and the fallout takes a serious toll on their self-esteem.

Girls are diagnosed with ADHD at just under half the rate at which boys are diagnosed. This difference in diagnosis rate is made up for in adulthood, where women and men are diagnosed with ADHD at roughly the same rate. The current ADHD prevalence for all adults is 4.4 percent.

ADHD symptoms continue to be overlooked in young girls and teens, even when they are struggling. Most experts conclude this is because girls more often exhibit the predominantly inattentive presentation of ADHD, while parents and professionals expect to see the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation more often seen in boys. Previously, it was assumed by some medical professionals that ADHD was a condition mainly found in boys, and they did not evaluate girls without the hyperactive-impulsive presentation for the disorder.

Women experiencing ADHD symptoms may seek a mental health evaluation when they find themselves struggling with daily life. Since other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, frequently co-occur with ADHD, a woman may be diagnosed with one of these conditions before the underlying ADHD is identified.

Often a woman requests an evaluation for ADHD after one of her children receives the diagnosis. Recognizing the same experiences and symptoms in herself as in her child, she will specifically request an evaluation for adult ADHD, rather than a health professional suggesting it be done. (CHADD - Children & Adults with ADHD ❤️)

Image ❤️

10/29/2026

10/29/2026

Sometimes depression doesn’t feel like crying or obvious sadness.

Sometimes it feels like nothing.

Your favourite show is on, but you don’t care. Food tastes fine, but not enjoyable. Messages sit unanswered. Plans feel like effort. Things you used to love can start to feel strangely far away.

This loss of pleasure is sometimes called anhedonia. It can happen with depression, burnout, prolonged stress, some health conditions and medicines. It doesn’t mean you’re lazy, ungrateful or that you no longer care about the people in your life. You may still care deeply, while feeling unable to connect with the feeling of caring.

Don’t wait for motivation to magically arrive. Try asking: “What could I do for ten minutes that might give me something?”

A shower. Fresh air. One song. A simple meal. Sitting near someone safe. Sending one message. One small thing is enough.

If this flat, numb feeling is lasting or making daily life hard, please speak to a GP or mental health professional. You deserve support, even if you can’t quite explain what’s wrong.

FREE WHAT IS ANHEDONIA? PRINTABLE LOSS OF PLEASURE GUIDE

LIKE the photo and comment "ENJOY" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

10/15/2026

PSI is hosting a virtual Wave of Light Ceremony on Thursday, October 15, to recognize Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month 🕯️

The ceremony is a 30-minute virtual gathering for parents and families to honor and remember babies who have died during pregnancy or infancy. If you have experienced pregnancy loss, infant loss, or fertility-related loss, or someone you love has experienced loss, you are welcome to join us.

This is not a traditional support group, and you are not expected to share or speak. You can bring a candle or special item of remembrance, keep your camera off, or simply be present 🩵🩷

We are offering four ceremony times on Sharewell. Attendance is free. You are welcome to join at the time that works best for you or at 7 pm in your time zone.
🕯️ Register for the 6:45 pm Eastern Session: https://loom.ly/Upzj2nY
🕯️ Register for the 7:45 pm Eastern Session: https://loom.ly/WaxSJoM
🕯️ Register for the 8:45 pm Eastern Session: https://loom.ly/Bo5KZis
🕯️ Register for the 9:45 pm Eastern Session: https://loom.ly/0UEJApA

10/15/2026

Some children are carried in our arms, while others are held in our hearts forever. Thinking of you all. Holding space for you and here to help.