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Heather Emerson-Young

Heather Emerson-Young.JPG
Supporting Parents, Strengthening Families
 

As both a professional and a parent, I understand the challenges of raising neurodivergent children while maintaining balance in family life.

I am the mother of two incredible children, now 18 and 13, each with their own beautifully unique ways of thinking, learning, and experiencing the world.

Parenting them has taught me more than any book or degree ever could—it has deepened my empathy, resilience, and understanding of neurodiversity in a profoundly personal way.
 

Additionally, my experience in a neurodivergent marriage has given me firsthand insight into the complexities of parenting in this context.

Navigating different processing styles, emotional needs, and communication patterns within our family has been both a challenge and an opportunity for growth.

This lived experience fuels my passion for helping parents—both neurodivergent and neurotypical—understand their child’s unique needs while maintaining their own emotional well-being and strengthening their co-parenting dynamic.​​

 

Therapy Modalities:

 

  • Gottman Method – Couples therapy focused on building connection

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) – Strengthening relationships

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) – Managing emotions & stress

  • Narrative Therapy – Rewriting your personal story

  • Solution-Focused Therapy – Practical strategies for change

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Guiding Parents Through the Journey
 

Raising a neurodivergent child often means navigating unfamiliar territory, from advocating for the right support in school to managing conflicting parenting approaches.

Traditional parenting advice often falls short for families like ours.

That’s why I focus on providing parents with practical strategies that work for their unique child and family dynamic.
 

  • Advocating for Your Child – Understanding educational and therapy systems, preparing for IEP meetings, and ensuring your child’s needs are met 
     

  • Co-Parenting Strategies – Aligning parenting approaches in ND/NT or ND/ND partnerships to create consistency and stability for your child 
     

  • Preventing Caregiver Fatigue – Learning to care for yourself while providing the best support for your child 
     

  • Understanding Neurodivergence in the Family – Recognizing sensory, emotional, and executive function differences in both children and parents 
     

  • Creating a Home That Works for Everyone – Establishing routines and environments that support the whole family’s well-being

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My Approach: Strength-Based & Neurodiversity-Affirming


My work is rooted in a strengths-based approach that celebrates neurodiversity rather than viewing it as something to be "fixed."

I integrate evidence-based strategies with real-world experience to help parents:
 

  • Build deeper connections with their children 
     

  • Understand and respect neurodivergent ways of thinking 
     

  • Develop practical tools for navigating daily challenges
     

  • Strengthen their own emotional resilience

Specialties:

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  • Parenting Support (Allistic & Neurodiverse)

  • Neurodivergent & Neurotypical Couples

  • Autistic Individuals & Family Members

  • ADHD & Executive Functioning Support

  • Complex Trauma & PTSD

  • Substance Use & Co-Occurring Disorders

  • Identity & Self-Acceptance

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Education & Certifications
 

  • Master’s in psychology of Marriage and Family Therapy

  • Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication

  • Doctorate in Education

  • Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452

  • Employed by New Path Couples Therapy Inc.

How Heather Can Help
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