She Rocks the Spectrum
A Therapy Center for Autistic Girls & Women
Hi There!
My name is Tamala Takahashi
Until recently, women and girls were rarely diagnosed with ADHD or Autism. When they were, the diagnoses was either not taken seriously or were centered around behavior modification. Now, we know that many traits associated with ADHD/autism can manifest in indirect ways. Without proper support, these traits can significantly impact an individual’s sense of self. Living with undiagnosed or unacknowledged neurodiversity can impact our relationships, jobs, self care, and more - all while remaining misunderstood or worse, judged harshly. When working with women/non-binary/gender fluid clients with ADHD or Autism, my goal is to hold space for their experiences while they tend to past wounds and work towards growth. I understand how painful it can be to not be seen or understood and my goal is to help you develop a sense of hope for the future. I am mindful of the social, economic, generational, geographical, and cultural forces that clients live in and are influenced by. Using solution-focused, acceptance and commitment, and trauma-informed therapy approaches, my hope is to support clients while they work towards finding peace in their own sense of who they are.
My Story
I was late-diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 49. My husband of 27 years was late-diagnosed with AuDHD and two of my three adult children were diagnosed with ADHD in their late teens/early 20’s. While my oldest child is undiagnosed, they are likely autistic/ADHD as well. I am also a survivor of childhood emotional neglect and abuse. This is common among the neurodiverse as even the most well-meaning parents may not have the appropriate tools to support their children. It’s also common for those parents to have been neurodiverse as well, with their own experience of neglect and abuse, handing down their generational trauma. Soon after being diagnosed with ADHD, I became an empty nester. My first career as a non-profit and professional development consultant was cut short by COVID, so I decided to go back to school and become a therapist to trauma recovery. I am sharing this with you because I believe it will help me understand and support you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Therapeutic Philosophy
I work collaboratively with my clients to identify areas of focus and the strategies that work best for them. In our 50-min. sessions, therapy goals are usually a combination of gaining clarity, self-awareness, self-compassion, and coping skills. When working with couples or families, communication skills are a significant part of the work as well. I believe a therapist’s role is to provide stability for the client and to help them find a healthy path to follow in times of uncertainty. The specifics will look different for each client(s), but all sessions are built around the principles of acceptance, patience, and kindness.
You Are NOT Alone
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The neurodiverse experience can feel lonely. Whether you are neurodiverse or have a neurodiverse partner/family member, it can feel like you are expected to behave a certain way and say certain things. Or that, no matter how hard you try, you can’t do it right. Maybe you feel like there are things that just don’t make sense but nobody else can see it. That struggle can feel so lonely.
My intention in therapy is to provide a space where you are no longer alone. Whether in couples or individual therapy, I am there to support you and hold space for your lived experiences.
You Can Do It
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You have made it to this moment. Congratulations! I’m guessing that the coping skills you developed aren’t working as well anymore and you’re looking for something to help navigate life and relationships. The good news is that you can learn new skills that are more appropriate to your life now. You did it before, and you can do it again.
I believe all of us have the capacity to heal and improve our inner lives. That said, it can sometimes be difficult to do this work alone, let alone know what to do at all.
That’s where therapy can be a bridge to confidence and a calmer inner world. When humans work together interdependently, we can go further and do better than we can do alone. My position as a therapist is to support my clients in this journey to inner strength and groundedness.