Hailey Perkins, AMFT

Whatever life may be putting you through, I am glad you found your way here. Maybe you feel overwhelmed with anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, poor body image, intense emotions, or a whole list of other struggles that may feel unacceptable. As a client centered therapist, I am overjoyed to welcome all parts of you with open arms, warmth, and kindness. My goal is never to change you, just simply to know you. In my practice we will work toward your goals in a judgement free space using trauma informed, integrative and gestalt therapy with a dash of education and empowerment. I have experience working with adults, teens, and children managing struggles that come with depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, grief, adjustment issues, interpersonal concerns, and trauma. I also have a special interest and much experience working with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I believe that what makes us different makes us beautiful and I strive in my practice to destigmatize what makes us different and embrace this diagnosis as a strength. The world needs more people who don’t fit the mold and as Thomas Armstrong, PhD once said: “Instead of pretending there is hidden away in a vault somewhere a perfectly ‘normal’ brain to which all other brains must be compared, we need to admit there is no standard brain, just as there is no standard flower, or standard cultural or racial group, and that in face diversity among brains is just as wonderfully enriching as biodiversity and the diversity among cultures and races”

For a new client seeking support for neurodivergence, care should begin with a welcoming and affirming environment that respects their lived experience. A clinician specializing in neurodivergence takes time to understand how a client's brain works whether they are autistic, ADHD, gifted, or otherwise neurodivergent, and avoids a pathologizing approach. Instead, they focus on identifying strengths, reducing distress, and building skills that support self-advocacy, emotional regulation, and daily functioning. Sessions may be adapted to fit communication preferences, sensory needs, or executive functioning challenges. This could include providing visual aids, using slower pacing, offering structure, and clarifying expectations upfront. The clinician collaborates with the client to identify goals that are meaningful to them, whether it's managing anxiety, navigating relationships, or understanding their identity. Ultimately, the aim is to create a safe, respectful therapeutic relationship that validates neurodivergent experiences and promotes well-being without forcing conformity to neurotypical standards.