Whitney Schneider

Hello, I'm glad you're here!​

 

I am a passionate neurodivergent therapist with a lifetime of personal experience navigating the complexities of neurodivergence for myself and within my own family.

I bring my own real-life perspective to my practice and to my clients. 

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My own journey as a child of, a sibling to, the parent of, and partner to neurodivergent and queer individuals has profoundly shaped my understanding and awareness of the myriads of struggles, surprises, pivots and beautiful moments within a neurodiverse family. 

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I specialize in working with families, couples and individuals that are navigating similar paths.

 

Whether you are seeking support for a neurodivergent child/ren, managing a relationship with a neurodivergent partner, or exploring your own identity, I provide a safe, non-judgmental environment to express, explore and grow.

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My Story

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Childhood:  I grew up in Southern California in a loving, but troubled family. I experienced an alcoholic parent, a mentally ill sibling, divorce, an abusive stepparent, more divorce. When I was 13, my sister, my only sibling, passed away leaving my small family awash in terrible pain and stigma.

 

I credit my wonderful mother, a social worker, who insisted always that I be in therapy and participate in support groups, with enabling me to live a healthy and successful life. 

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The Power of Therapy:  I am an avid proponent of therapy and believe in its powerful transformative potential.

 

Being in therapy during my childhood and teens helped me to see past my circumstances to envision, and become the wife, mother, daughter and friend I am today; throughout my life I've utilized therapy to optimize my relationships and quality of life. Therapy is a gift everyone deserves!

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Life & Neurodivergence Experiences: I obtained my bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary behavioral studies but was quickly lured into the corporate entertainment industry where I worked until I left to be a stay-at-home mom.  

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I've been married to my neurodivergent husband for 23 years, and together we are guiding our 3 neurodivergent kids (21, 18 & 13) into adulthood.

 

Each one of our children present and identify differently including Autism, ADHD, twice exceptional, gifted, and multiple learning differences. My eldest child was born 11 weeks pre-term and spent 2 months in the NICU. 

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My Healing Journey: I was diagnosed with ADHD at 17, albeit, very much left to my own devices to manage my symptoms. At the time of my diagnosis the only available "treatment" was stimulant medication which had too many side effects for me to tolerate. I was able to carve out a system for myself, primarily through the guidance of my mother, who also had ADHD and through her own trial and error, had learned to maximize her symptoms. 

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Later in life when perimenopause kicked my symptoms back up to a new extreme, I found myself once again struggling to stabilize, and lacking professionals to appropriately advise me. I decided, in part, to become a therapist when I realized the industry was sorely lacking in professionals to help guide me and my family through our ever-evolving needs. Now, as a neurodivergent woman going through menopause, I find myself yet again on a new frontier for myself, and within my marriage.

 

Parenting Neurodiverse Children, IEPs/Special Education, LGBTQ+ - Affirming Parenting, Life Transitions, Postpartum Depression, Grief & Loss

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As a parent of 3 unique, neurodiverse, amazing (Autistic, ADHD, twice exceptional, gifted, Queer) kids, I understand the many intense, overwhelming, frightening and confusing feelings that can emerge.

 

I also understand that as much as we love, value and cherish our kids, we can also feel anger, sadness, fear, disappointment and even hopelessness. Most of all, I understand the great joy we feel, but also the process of mourning the life we imagined we'd live.  

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Have you ever found yourself comparing yourself to families with neurotypical kids? 

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Have you isolated yourself in an effort to avoid having to explain why your kids are on a road less traveled? 

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Do you find yourself explaining yourself to people who have no understanding of neurodivergence? 

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I get it. ​I understand the confusion and exhaustion that comes along with endless IEPs, interventions, appointments, doctors, teachers, treatments, diets and medications. 

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I understand the conflict that can arise in co-parenting, and receiving advice or judgment from well-meaning, but misinformed friends and family members. 

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I understand the intense grief that accompanies watching your child suffer through academic turmoil, anxiety, bullying, and failing to "fit in". We live in a society that isn't designed for diversity, and it isn't fair. 

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I get it, I hear you, and I am here for you. 

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I've been a stay-at-home mom to my 3 kids for 21 years and married to my neurospicy husband for 23. I've worked as a volunteer advocate helping other parents negotiate the public school system and held support groups for women raising neurodivergent kids.

 

Part of my inspiration to return to graduate school and become a therapist was to be able to provide the support I couldn't find when I was discovering my life as a wife and mom would be different from what I envisioned. 

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Everyone deserves an environment to be heard, to feel safe, and process feelings no matter how dark; I strive to hold for you a space where you can express ALL your feelings, without shame or self flagellation.  I strive to hold a space of hope and excitement for the future for you and your children, even if you can't yet see it.  

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My approach is informed by sensitivity, compassion, an ever-evolving understanding of the nuances of neurodiversity, and I tailor my sessions to meet the needs of my clients. As much as I've had my own experiences, I realize everyone is on a unique path, with unique children and life circumstances. 

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I believe in the power of humor, radical empathy and exploration. I love working collaboratively and creatively with my clients to help them better understand themselves, their partners, children, families, and everyone important in their lives.

 

Better understanding begets improved communication, increased self-esteem, resiliency, and stronger-more authentic connections with those we love. 

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My goal is to assist you and your kids on the path to their greatness, and there is such a path! Let’s identify and AMPLIFY your child's strengths while supporting a positive and meaningful parent/child relationship.

 

I believe in you!

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