The Certain Self: Illuminating the Way: Advice & Philosophy from an Autistic Therapist

The Certain Self: Illuminating the Way: Advice & Philosophy from an Autistic Therapist

I am an autistic woman, but a former child. I believe that we should always remain in touch with our inner child, as it's our best teacher. I was in college from September 2011 until December 2021, and received two Bachelor's Degree from Rowan University, in Psychology and Philosophy & World Religions respectively, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Rutgers University. Throughout my career, I have worked as a crisis counselor, a parent and child advocate, a teacher's assistant, a caseworker at a nursing home, and a therapist. While working in mental health, I realized that common platitudes surrounding mental health healing didn't work for me. Many were fine, but not substantial in naming or addressing the motivations or feelings behind what causes and maintains the distress of many -- often things that we need to address through means of connection and existential fulfillment. I come Buddhist and Taoist perspectives. I refuse to blame or pathologize victims of a world that desperately needs us to work together.