My Debrief Space

[rav3n]

that's a fair thought to have! @Blackcloud have you looked into psych/counsellors who are ND before? i think recently i've been hearing that more professionals have lived experience, which is much better for us in terms of feeling heard and understood. 

when i was looking for support around social anxiety, pretty much all the psychs n clinicians told me the say thing: exposure to social situations and practice is key. i'm definitely not a fan of it, i find it very uncomfortable throwing myself into social situations but there was a quote that made me realise that sometimes taking that scary, uncomfortable risk is what we might need for change to actually occur. i can't find the exact image but this is close enough:

at the same time, i do acknowledge that everyone is different and being ND adds additional factor to consider such as masking. it is tricky!! for some, the exposure therapies work well, and for others, it doesn't. but i think by trying this psych session, and all the other social skills training you've had - it's brought you a step closer to figuring out what works/doesn't work for you - and that's still important!

are there any other options you'd like to try out in terms of socialising? do you have particular goals around it?

aww yayyy glad your art therapist gets you!! she seems lovely. yeah the whole 'toughen up' stuff sounds quite dismissive, hopefully your psych can find other ways to support you if this one's not working out.

[Blackcloud]

@rav3n I haven’t looked into psych/counsellors who are ND before, but the peer worker at SANE I spoke to on the phone yesterday during my session with her she asked me the similar question - though she asked if I know if any of those professionals I’ve spoken to are ND themselves. But I’m definitely considering it!!

yeah, that “growth is uncomfortable” image is 100% accurate and I feel that many licensed psychologists/counsellors don’t even realise and/or understand that.

in terms of socialising I’m not really sure cause I feel like even if I was to try and join a social group even if it’s for individuals that are on the spectrum, I still wouldn’t be able to get the outcome that I wanted. I know I’ve tried joining an online video social group that’s only for women that are on the spectrum last month, but still I got nothing from it. But then I feel like part of it might be because I’ve joined that session 25 minutes late.