In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Our guests are two of the most fun people I’ve had the chance of interviewing: Dr. Sami and David! This episode is all about being neurodivergent. David Meer is a licensed professional counselor located in Scottsdale, Arizona. David has over a decade of experience and provides workshops and consultation services to corporate clients and schools in the Phoenix Metro area. Dr. Sami Pieknik is a licensed clinical psychologist in Phoenix, Arizona providing individual therapy to children, teens, and young adults. Dr. Sami has 12 years of experience working to support neurodivergent individuals.She has a background in psychological/neuropsychological assessment, autism assessment, and in working with neurodivergent folks across the lifespan and in a variety of settings including inpatient residential, home-based therapies, community mental health, and in private practice.

Episode Description and Show Notes:

In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Dr. Courtney discusses:

• Sami describes herself as an adult toy collector, musician, and cat person. David describes himself as an empathetic father of two girls.
• Sami and David connected on Linkedin and realized there’s a huge shortage of therapists who specialize in neurodiversity
• They both feel a responsibility to speak up because it’s easy to stay silent
• You have to be careful with what you share about yourself because the stigma against neurodiversity exists even in the mental health space
• Sami and David define neurodiversity and affirming in a mental health capacity
• Judy Singer first coined the term “neurodiversity” in Australia
• Neurodiversity is a biological fact, not an opinion
• Neurotypical is considered what society deems “normal” whereas Neurodivergent deviates from what society deems “normal”
• Some people meet what challenges what they were taught with defenses
• We expect the same behavior for all children just because they are around the same age, yet most of the structures we place around them are arbitrary like sitting still
• There are so many different ways people present and the “average” person doesn’t exist
• Autistic burnout and trauma is real and underlooked
• What kind of levels of support are you providing your neurodivergent clients, peers, or friends?
• The double empathy problem: What is it and How do we see it in neurodivergent people?
• Seeing people for their whole being, not over generalizing, and listening is the key to affirming neurodivergent people.

You can find Dr. Sami and David online at:

Website: https://www.neurodiversecounseling.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/neuro.pier/?hl=en

Sami IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.sami.p/?hl=en

Dr. Courtney Tracy’s additional offerings:

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Exclusive YouTube Show: The Truth Doctor Show

Healing texts: USA & Canada (424) 228-9525

Website: www.thetruthdoctor.com

This podcast is not therapy and does not provide personalized clinical advice. The purpose of this podcast is to provide mental health based entertainment and psychoeducation