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5/12/2026 From Compliance to CollaborationAs a psychotherapist, one of the most frequent questions I receive from parents of neurodivergent (ND) children is: "How do I get them to listen?" It is a question rooted in a deep desire for a harmonious household, but it often assumes that "listening" is a choice rather than a cognitive process.
If the first step in supporting our children is understanding their wiring, and the second is affirming their identity, the third (and perhaps most transformative) is changing how we navigate conflict and cooperation. This is a shift from compliance-based parenting to collaborative proactive solutions. 5/12/2026 The Myth of “Normality”As a psychotherapist, I often see parents who are frustrated and heartbroken. They’ve done "everything right" and yet, instead of improving, their child seems more anxious, more withdrawn, or prone to even more explosive meltdowns.
The missing piece of the puzzle is often not the effort, but the neurotype. When we apply neurotypical (NT) therapeutic expectations to neurodivergent (ND) minds, we aren’t just failing to help; we may actually be causing harm. As a psychotherapist, I often sit with parents who are navigating the beautiful, complex, and sometimes exhausting world of raising a child whose brain simply works differently. Whether your child has an official diagnosis or you are simply noticing unique traits, one of the most profound concepts to understand is pattern recognition.
5/9/2026 The Rhythms of the Nervous SystemIn a world that often demands constant composure, it is easy to feel like you are failing when your internal state becomes turbulent. However, emotional regulation is not a static goal to be achieved; it is a fluid process. Just as the ocean is defined by its rising waves, crashing surf, and shifting tides, our nervous systems—particularly for neurodivergent individuals—are designed to move in rhythmic ebbs and flows.
There is a profound difference between "recovering so you can work more" and "resting because you are a human being." In my psychotherapy practice, I’ve noticed that people often treat rest as a tactical maneuver to avoid burnout, rather than a fundamental right.
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Chris Warren-Dickins, EMDR Therapist in Ridgewood, NJ and the UK
Serving New Jersey, the United Kingdom, and beyond. Telephone: (USA) +1-201-779-6917 / (UK) +44 7735 361209 Sessions are online. Mailing address: 235 Orchard Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450, USA. © Copyright 2026 Chris Warren-Dickins. All rights reserved. NJ license # 37PC00618700 |
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