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On the show
Recent episodes
The Cultural Masking No One Talks About: AuDHD, Culture, and Late Diagnosis
May 26, 2026
55m 02s
Your Nervous System Doesn't Speak English: EMDR, Trauma, and Neurodivergent Healing with Laurie Bellinger
May 19, 2026
57m 53s
The Problem Has a Name and It's Not You: Narrative Therapy for ADHD, Autism, and the Lies We Tell Ourselves
May 12, 2026
58m 47s
We Didn't Fail School. School Failed Us: What the System Got Wrong About Neurodivergent Kids
May 5, 2026
51m 02s
On Tuesdays We Unmask: Mean Girls, Relational Aggression, and the AuDHD Experience
Apr 28, 2026
53m 28s
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/26/26 | The Cultural Masking No One Talks About: AuDHD, Culture, and Late Diagnosis | I have an earnestly held belief that every culture thinks they invented being weird and unhinged. This week I'm joined by Brazilian American therapist and fellow AuDHD human Brenna Doering, and we are here to confirm that yes, your culture probably did normalize at least three autistic traits without knowing it, and no, that does not mean you were fine. We get into what it actually looks like to grow up neurodivergent in a culture that does not have language for it, how your culture and your brain can both be asking you to disappear at the same time, and the very real racial disparities in who gets an ADHD or autism diagnosis versus who just gets labeled a problem. We also spend some time debunking the "everyone is a little autistic" myth, because no. No they are not. Brenna also coined the term manic pixie meltdown and I will not be taking questions about how much I relate to that. If you are a late diagnosed AuDHD woman, femme, or them who grew up being told you were too sensitive, too much, or just not trying hard enough, this one is for you. Find Brenna at thatssowholesome.com and on Instagram and TikTok at thats.so.wholesome. She also runs a Discord community specifically for neurodivergent therapists, which you can find through her social media. | 55m 02s | ||||||
| 5/19/26 | Your Nervous System Doesn't Speak English: EMDR, Trauma, and Neurodivergent Healing with Laurie Bellinger | We're talking EMDR, trauma, nervous system regulation, and why no one in the history of calming down has ever calmed down by being told to calm down. This week I'm sitting down with clinical social worker Laurie Bellinger, who has spent 25 years working with clients across the lifespan, to talk about what's actually happening in your body when trauma gets stuck and why understanding it intellectually is never going to be enough to move it. We start with what trauma actually means through a nervous system lens (spoiler: it's a lot more than car accidents and big scary events), then get into why top-down approaches like CBT hit a wall when your body thinks it's still in danger. Laurie breaks down polyvagal theory, window of tolerance, and bottom-up processing in a way that actually makes sense, and then walks us through EMDR therapy from the ground up: what the eight phases look like, why bilateral stimulation works, and why a good EMDR therapist is going to spend a lot of time before they ever wave a finger in front of your face. We also get into how to adapt EMDR for neurodivergent clients, what resourcing actually means, and why the therapeutic relationship predicts outcomes more than any modality ever will. And for the therapists listening: we go there on mentorship gaps, burnout, what the community mental health model does to new clinicians, and Laurie's upcoming book for therapists trying to build a sustainable career without losing their minds in the process. Laurie practices in New York State and offers consultation for clinicians at lauriebellinger.com. 00:00 Your Body Doesn't Know the Trauma's Over 03:48 What Actually Counts as Trauma (It's More Than You Think) 08:41 Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Therapy: Why Talk Therapy Isn't Always Enough for Trauma 14:01 What Is EMDR Therapy and How Does It Reprocess Trauma 20:35 Bilateral Stimulation in EMDR: What It Is and Why It Works 26:17 Resourcing in EMDR: Why Safety Has to Come Before Trauma Processing 34:08 EMDR for ADHD and Autism: Adapting Trauma Therapy for Neurodivergent Brains 41:16 Why Good Therapy Is About the Relationship, Not the Modality 48:56 Therapist Burnout and Building a Sustainable Mental Health Career 56:32 Connect with Laurie Bellinger | 57m 53s | ||||||
| 5/12/26 | The Problem Has a Name and It's Not You: Narrative Therapy for ADHD, Autism, and the Lies We Tell Ourselves | Narrative therapy, ADHD, autism, and the story you've been telling yourself that is only ~10% of the actual truth. This week I'm talking to Dr. Cristina Louk, neurodivergent clinical psychologist, ADHD specialist, and one of the most genuinely warm and disarmingly earnest humans I've had on this show. She's been doing this work for decades and she is here to explain why narrative therapy might be the most slept-on modality for neurodivergent brains and why the story you've been telling about yourself is technically accurate but also deeply incomplete and kind of a disaster. We get into what narrative therapy actually is, how you thicken a thin story, and why you should absolutely name your problem. Mine is Vanessa. We don't know why. We're not questioning it. We also cover why narrative therapy is not your first stop if you're in crisis, how it plays with CBT, DBT, IFS, and somatic work, and what it looks like to restory your life without anyone telling you to just think positive. Nobody is telling you to just think positive on this podcast. Ever. And then because we are who we are, we spiral into justice sensitivity, RSD, masking, ADHD friend breakups, why some neurodivergent people attract users, and the very specific experience of clocking every single thing someone does wrong while smiling politely about it. Dr. Louk offers a free 15-minute consultation and sees clients in person in Woodinville, Washington and virtually throughout the state, with telehealth licenses in Florida and North Carolina. Find her at peacehumanistic.com. If this episode hit different and you want more, you can find me at alyssazimmerman.com for therapy services in New York State or to apply to be a guest on Clinically Awkward. Come be unhinged with us. 0:00 Meet Dr. Cristina Louk: Neurodivergent Psychologist on ADHD, Autism, and the Anxiety Misdiagnosis Pipeline 5:15 What Is Narrative Therapy? Why This ADHD-Friendly Modality Flies Under the Radar 8:27 Thickening the Story: The Narrative Therapy Technique That Changes Everything 11:57 Narrative Therapy and Suffering: Why We Don't Run From the Hard Parts 14:39 Externalizing the Problem: Getting Neurodivergent Clients to Believe They Are Not the Issue 19:18 Neurodivergent Therapists, Compassion Fatigue, and Why We Don't Work in Candyland 22:04 How Narrative Therapy Actually Works: The Structured Process for ADHD and Autistic Clients 28:44 Masking, IFS, and Narrative Therapy: The Neurodivergent Overlap 30:50 Neuroexpansive: Reframing ADHD and Autism as Strength 36:30 Strength-Based Therapy vs. Toxic Positivity: What Narrative Therapy Gets Right 45:20 Justice Sensitivity and RSD: How Neurodivergent People Experience Emotional Dysregulation 49:11 ADHD, RSD, and Friend Breakups: The Stories We Tell About Relationships | 58m 47s | ||||||
| 5/5/26 | We Didn't Fail School. School Failed Us: What the System Got Wrong About Neurodivergent Kids | If you grew up neurodivergent in a school that had no idea what to do with you, this episode is going to hit you right in the feelings. I'm sitting down with Rebecca Engle, AuDHD dyslexia specialist, special education teacher, and owner of Stitches and Stanzas, an advocacy and creativity company that somehow combines knitting and screaming about the school system, which is the most neurodivergent business model I've ever heard of. We're both AuDHD, we were both identified early, and we both spent years in a system that had very strong opinions about our brains and was wrong about most of them. We get into what ableism in special education actually looks like when it's not dramatic, just normalized. IEPs written for classroom management instead of learning, behavior charts standing in for actual support, and schools consistently misreading a nervous system in overload as a behavior problem. We dig into dyslexia specifically because it gets lost in the neurodivergence conversation and it shouldn't, what happens cognitively when dyslexia, ADHD, and autism show up in the same kid, school refusal, learned helplessness, screen time, and the pipeline from second grade dropout risk to the prison system. We close on Rebecca's experience being denied entry into a teacher training program for being autistic, and why she only takes jobs at low-income schools. Regulation before rigor. That's the whole thing. Rebecca's resources, including trauma-informed classroom tools and co-regulation models, are available through Stitches and Stanzas on Instagram and Facebook. If you're looking for therapy in New York, find me at alyssazimmerman.com. 00:00 Meet Rebecca Engle: AuDHD Dyslexia Specialist and Special Education Advocate 08:21 What Ableism in Special Education Actually Looks Like 13:00 Ableism is Just Annoyance in Disguise 17:12 What Schools Get Wrong About Dyslexia and Learning Differences 22:02 When Dyslexia, ADHD, and Autism Show Up in the Same Kid 26:26 School Refusal, Learned Helplessness, and the Cost of Compliance Culture 29:21 Screen Time, Reading Struggles, and Neurodivergent Kids 32:24 Why IEPs Fail Neurodivergent Students and What Actually Works 38:48 From Student with an IEP to Special Education Teacher 42:08 Ableism in Teacher Training Programs 47:49 What Every Educator Needs to Know About Neurodivergent Students | 51m 02s | ||||||
| 4/28/26 | On Tuesdays We Unmask: Mean Girls, Relational Aggression, and the AuDHD Experience | This week on Clinically Awkward, fellow therapist (and fellow Alyssa) Alyssa DeRoche joins me for what I can only describe as a reparative experience disguised as a podcast episode. We're both AuDHD, both millennial, both AFAB, and we both grew up watching this movie like it was a nature documentary about a species we were desperately trying to infiltrate. We dig into why Cady crash landing in American high school isn't just a fish-out-of-water story. It's an allegory for what it actually feels like to be neurodivergent: arriving somewhere everyone else already knows the rules, doing everything wrong, and having absolutely no idea why people don't like you. We talk relational aggression, why it's so much more damaging than just getting punched, and why so many of us would have genuinely preferred the punch. We get personal about our own diagnosis stories, our masking histories, and how exclusion in girlhood turns you into the adult who will not let a single person get left off an invitation list. We talk friendship limerence, the social coordinator trap, and why "just text her back" is not the helpful advice people think it is when you have ADHD. We close on the forward-looking stuff: self-trust, knowing your actual capacity, and learning to tell people how your brain works before the friendship implodes. Alyssa DeRoche is a therapist licensed in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. You can find her at seedoftruthcounseling.com. If you're looking for therapy in New York, I'm at alyssazimmerman.com. Timestamps: 00:00 Late Diagnosed and Finally Making Sense of It 09:16 Cady Heron and the Autistic Experience Nobody Named 16:08 Friendship Limerence, Executive Dysfunction, and the Group Chat 24:27 Is Regina George and The Case for Pretty Girl Autism 28:36 Janice Ian, The Role of the Outsider, and The Accountability Gap 33:32 Relational Aggression Is a Trauma Response 36:56 What Karen Smith Gets Right About Neurotypical Obliviousness 43:23 Why You Want an Autistic Therapist 48:07 Gretchen Weiners Deserves Better: Toxic Loyalty and Female Friendships 51:04 Self-Trust, Capacity, and Looking Forward | 53m 28s | ||||||
| 4/21/26 | Whole Body, Whole Mess: Holistic Medicine for Your Neurodivergent Flesh Prison | "It's natural" is not a safety label. This week, Blair Buckley returns to the pod and we are getting into holistic medicine for neurodivergent bodies. The genuinely helpful, the ineffective, and the stuff that can turn you yellow. We talk about why supplements are less regulated than you think, what "proprietary blend" actually means, and why serotonin syndrome is a real risk, especially if you're already on antidepressants. We get into acupuncture, including a very important contingency plan for what to do if you're full of needles and there's an emergency in the building, why the holes are much smaller than you think, and how chiropractic care requires a lot more nuance than just finding the nearest guy who will crack your neck. If you have Ehlers-Danlos or hypermobility, this part is especially for you. We also go deep on chronic pain and mental health, because living in a body that hurts all the time has a psychological cost that most providers are not equipped to talk about. And because this is us, we end up in a whole conversation about ADHD, autism, and sleep, why the standard sleep hygiene advice was never written with neurodivergent people in mind, and how sometimes the goal is just harm reduction. Blair is based in Denver and sees neurodivergent clients of all ages. You can find her on Psychology Today under Blair Buckley. Find me at alyssazimmerman.com for therapy in New York State or to apply to be a guest. 00:00 Holistic Medicine: A Neurodivergent Guide to Whole Person Care 06:19 Supplements: Risks, Interactions, and Serotonin Syndrome 14:38 Acupuncture: Evidence Based Pain Relief and What to Expect 21:49 Chiropractic: What You Need to Know About EDS and Hypermobility 26:45 Physical Therapy: Barriers and Self-Advocacy for Neurodivergent People 32:52 Instant Gratification Medicine: ADHD, Dopamine, and Healthcare Decisions 35:22 Treating the Physical and Emotional Pain: Chronic Pain and Mental Health 40:04 The Pain Trauma Connection: Chronic Pain, Injury, and the Neurodivergent Nervous System 42:42 Is Cortisol Evil? Anxiety, Stress, and Neurodivergent Nervous Systems 44:57 The Neurodivergent Sleep Crisis: Sensory Sleep Hygiene and Why the Standard Advice Fails 49:50 More ND Taxes: The Hidden Time and Energy Costs of Neurodivergence 53:27 Wrap Up: Holistic Medicine, Self-Advocacy, and Informed Decision Making | 55m 01s | ||||||
| 4/14/26 | Enneagram Fishing in the Boy Aquarium: Another Heated Rivalry Deep Dive | In this episode, I'm joined by my unlikely friend Rain Glynn to keep our Heated Rivalry hyperfixation going with a full Enneagram breakdown of the characters. We prepared separately and compared notes live, which means there's some lighthearted beef, a lot of six blindness, and an apparently very important clarification that the plane did not, technically, crash. We type Scott, Kip, Shane, Ilya, Hayden, Rose, Yuna, David, Svetlana, and Elena covering core types, wings, integration and disintegration lines, and what any of this has to do with being AuDHD. We also get into why nines are slippery, how every woman on this show is from Bad Bitch City, and why it's difficult to type someone during an ongoing meltdown. New to the Enneagram? Check out Episode 2, Ennea-what Now, for a foundation before diving in. 00:00 What Makes a Great Show 02:43 Scott Hunter is The Most Correct Type 10:06 Kip Grady and Our Own Type Blindness 16:16 Hayden Pike is Too Relatable 24:38 Svetland Petrova from Bad Bitch City 29:01 Rose Landry Will Make You Love Her 32:53 Yuna Hollander Fan Club Meeting 36:07 David Hollander is Everyone's Dad 40:21 Shane Hollander isn't Fooling Us 45:41 Ilya Rozanov is Actually Just a Baby 48:46 We Left Elana in Bad Bitch City 50:19 The Enneagram IRL 53:48 How Do We Keep The Hyperfixation Going?! | 58m 27s | ||||||
| 4/7/26 | The Faulty Fire Alarm: OCD and ERP with Dr. Alice Rizzi | In this episode of Clinically Awkward, I sit down with Dr. Alice Rizzi, a New York licensed psychologist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders, to blow up everything you think you know about obsessive compulsive disorder and actually replace it with something useful. We get into the OCD cycle, intrusive thoughts, mental compulsions, and the presentations nobody wants to talk about: pure O, harm OCD, health OCD, and the relationship and sexuality spirals that have people texting their friends for reassurance at 2am. We cover the difference between OCD and OCPD, why your brain's smoke alarm is broken, and why the compulsions you've been using to feel better are actually making it worse. We also get into exposure and response prevention, why ERP is the gold standard for OCD treatment, what it actually looks like in practice, why traditional CBT can accidentally keep people with OCD stuck, and how to find an OCD therapist who genuinely knows what they're doing versus someone who listed OCD among their 57 other specialties on Psychology Today. Dr. Rizzi's therapy practice is based in New York and Florida. Find her at dralicerizzi.com. For entrepreneurs and women in business, find her mindfulness and values work at togethermindful.com. If you're an adult looking for therapy in New York, find me at alyssazimmerman.com. | 59m 02s | ||||||
| 3/31/26 | Pain Is Inevitable. Suffering Is Optional. ACT for Neurodivergent Brains. | In this episode of Clinically Awkward, I sit down with Dr. Paige Victorine, a clinical psychologist and co-owner of Nouveau Psychological Wellness in Arlington, Virginia, to break down Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: what it actually is, why it's spelled ACT and not A-C-T, and why it might be one of the most neurodivergent-friendly therapeutic modalities out there. We get into the passengers on the bus metaphor, why "acceptance" is one of the most poorly named concepts in mental health, and the difference between radical acceptance and just giving up. We talk about values versus goals, what it actually looks like to connect with your values when you're in survival mode, and why your special interests might be hiding the most important information about who you are. We also cover defusion, psychological flexibility, and why you do not need a quiet mind to have a peaceful life. We get into the evolutionary reason your brain generates catastrophic thoughts, why ACT doesn't ask you to think positively, and what it looks like to use ACT specifically with neurodivergent clients — including why standard mindfulness training makes both of us unreasonably angry. We close with the masking conversation I didn't know I needed, the concept of creative hopelessness, and how ACT approaches meaning and purpose in a way that actually works for brains that have spent years failing to meet standards that were never built for them. Dr. Victorine's practice, Nouveau Psychological Wellness, offers therapy and adult assessments across PSYpact states. Find them at nouveaupsychology.com and on Psychology Today. If you're an adult looking for therapy in New York, find me at alyssazimmerman.com. 00:00 What Is ACT? Understanding the Basics 06:15 Redefining Acceptance: Willingness vs Resignation 11:18 Changing Your Relationship with Thoughts 16:05 Psychological Flexibility: The Core of ACT 22:09 Navigating Post-Diagnosis Identity & Masking Burnout 27:15 ACT for Clinicians: Working with Neurodivergent Clients 32:34 Masking as Choice: Context Over Rules 37:18 Coping Strategies & Creative Hopelessness 42:18 Meaning & Philosophy: ACT's Existential Foundation 44:42 What to Expect in ACT Therapy 50:42 Common Misconceptions and Finding a Therapist | 54m 58s | ||||||
| 3/24/26 | Dungeons & Dragons Is Neurodivergent as Hell and May Actually Be Therapy | On this episode of Clinically Awkward, I sit down with Michigan therapist Riann Tennyson to talk about Dungeons & Dragons through a neurodivergent lens — and why so many of us with ADHD and autism are a little too obsessed with playing pretend. We get into how D&D's mix of structure and chaos scratches a very specific ADHD itch, why character creation is basically a hyperfixation delivery system, how campaigns can become an accidental safe space for processing trauma and exploring identity, and why trying out different outcomes in a fantasy world is actually a pretty legitimate coping skill. We also cover late diagnosis, dice as fidget toys, the gender dynamics of D&D culture, how to get started when you have no friends who play yet, and why your expensive dice collection is not a problem. Riann Tennyson is a therapist practicing in Monroe, Michigan specializing in neurodivergence and late-diagnosed adults. Find her practice at Make Your Turn. If you're an adult looking for therapy in New York, find me at alyssazimmerman.com. 00:00 Dungeons & Dragons Is Neurodivergent as Hell and May Actually Be Therapy 03:43 From Terrified to Hyperfixated 07:26 Building Your Alter Ego (ADHD Style) 12:13 Dice as Fidget Toys & Organized Chaos 16:04 What If I Just Do It Impuslively But Fake? 19:56 Breaking Stereotypes (No Satan Worship Here) 25:20 When Your Character Reveals Your Therapy Homework 32:58 Fidgeting, Hyperfocus & The 10-Minute Chaos Rule 39:57 How to Find Your Party (Literally) 44:37 D&D vs Magic: It's About the Space, Not the Game 48:06 You Were Never Too Much 49:23 Find Your D&D Therapist | 50m 22s | ||||||
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| 3/17/26 | Accidentally Criminal: ADHD, Autism, and True Crime Obsession | On this episode of Clinically Awkward, I sit down with pediatric neuropsychologist Rebecca Fontanetta to talk about criminology through a neurodivergent lens and explore why so many of us with ADHD and autism are a little too obsessed with true crime. We get into Rebecca's tree trunk theory of criminal behavior, why homicidal and suicidal behavior are less separate than most people think, how women offenders are consistently misread, and why neurodivergence in the prison population is far more common than anyone wants to talk about. We also cover autistic traits being misread as guilt, what the media gets wrong about postpartum psychosis, the ethics of true crime consumption, and why law enforcement training desperately needs a neurodivergence chapter. Rebecca Fontanetta is a pediatric neuropsychologist practicing in New York and Connecticut. Find her at neuropsycholopedia.com and @the_neuropsycholopedia on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. If you're an adult looking for therapy in New York, find me at alyssazimmerman.com. 00:00 Who Are These Women and Why Are They Like This? 04:15 The Neurodivergent Therapist Pipeline 07:11 The Dark and Twisty Fixation Explained 09:18 The Tree Trunk Theory of Criminal Behavior 15:31 Psychopath Is Not a Diagnosis, Actually 17:29 Father-Daughter Murder Time a Very Normal Hobbies 25:17 Hyperfixation Grief Spiral 26:23 The Perpetrator Nobody Saw Coming 28:57 Undiagnosed, Unsupported, Incarcerated 30:26 "Acting Weird" Is Not Probable Cause, Actually 34:43 Oh, Look What Happened When They Didn't Believe A Woman 37:31 When "Acting Weird" and "Acting Guilty" Look the Same to Law Enforcement 40:33 The Ten Autistic Women Solution: True Crime Ethics 42:11 Your Local Child-Free Auntie Has Some Thoughts | 52m 56s | ||||||
| 3/10/26 | Is Your ADHD Getting Worse? Perimenopause and the Neurodivergent Brain | On this episode of Clinically Awkward, I sit down with Becca Block to talk about perimenopause and neurodivergence, and why this transition can feel especially chaotic for AFABs with ADHD and/or autism. We unpack what perimenopause actually is, how fluctuating hormones affect the brain, and why so many people start wondering if their ADHD symptoms are getting worse during perimenopause. Becca shares her experience recognizing her autistic and ADHD traits later in life after her child was diagnosed, which led her to dive deep into research on neurodivergence, hormones, and executive functioning. We talk about the five-to-ten-year transition before menopause when estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone fluctuate, and how those hormonal shifts affect neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine, which influence focus, memory, motivation, mood, and sleep. We explore why perimenopause symptoms are often missed or misdiagnosed, especially when they overlap with ADHD symptoms like executive dysfunction, forgetfulness, inconsistent energy, and burnout. We also talk about sensory sensitivities, chronic migraines, mood dysregulation, and masking burnout, along with the mixed experiences people have with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and hormonal birth control. We also discuss the psychological shift many people experience during midlife, including less anxiety about other people’s expectations and a growing DGAF (Don't Give A F*ck) mindset. The episode closes with a conversation about self-advocacy with doctors, radical acceptance, and practical supports for navigating perimenopause with a neurodivergent brain. Becca Block works with neurodivergent adults on executive functioning, ADHD support, and sustainable productivity through her coaching practice. Learn more about her work at spicy-brains.com. 00:00 Perimenopause and Neurodivergence (Intro)03:51 What Perimenopause Is and Why ADHD Symptoms Get Worse06:21 Hormones, Dopamine, and the Neurodivergent Brain10:44 Sensory Sensitivities, Autism, and Hormone Changes18:22 Masking Burnout, Chronic Migraines, and Hormones25:01 Perimenopause Rage, Mood Swings, and Emotional Dysregulation30:22 Hot Flashes, Diet, and Perimenopause Symptom Hacks34:36 Menopause as a Brain Reboot42:27 Identity Shifts in Midlife and Neurodivergence46:33 Self-Advocacy with Doctors During Perimenopause | 52m 58s | ||||||
| 3/3/26 | Your Nervous System is Just Trying to Help You | In this episode of Clinically Awkward, I sit down with Psychiatric PA Laura Hope Hobson to talk about body-focused repetitive behaviors, or BFRBs, like hair pulling, skin picking, nail biting, cheek chewing, and tongue biting. Laura shares her late ADHD realization and her long-hidden trichotillomania, and we immediately get into the thing most people miss: these behaviors are usually regulation. Not self-harm. Not a moral failure. Not proof that you lack discipline. Your nervous system is trying to manage something, even if the strategy is leaving you frustrated, embarrassed, or Googling “why can’t I just stop.” We talk about why “you’ll grow out of it” is still somehow floating around as ADHD advice, and how that myth keeps people confused and unsupported for decades. We unpack why shaving your head does not magically solve hair pulling, why behaviors tend to redirect when the underlying dysregulation is still there, and why “just stop” might be the least helpful sentence in the English language. We also dig into the shame spiral, especially for women who are expected to look polished and put together at all times, and how that pressure quietly fuels secrecy and self-criticism. Laura explains how BFRBs often co-occur with ADHD and how they can soothe both under-stimulation and over-stimulation. We differentiate BFRBs from self-harm and OCD compulsions so we can be precise about function instead of layering on more stigma. And we talk about what actually helps: habit reversal training, ARC as in awareness, regulation, compassion, IFS-informed parts work, and building regulation strategies that are tailored to your specific nervous system instead of some generic “try a fidget” solution. This episode is about shifting from judgment to curiosity. It is about understanding unmet needs and dysregulation instead of attacking yourself. It is about learning that you cannot shame yourself into long-term change, and you do not have to hate yourself into healing. Laura’s resources, including her free guide, are available at hopeandhealingcoach.com. 00:00 – It Was ADHD the Whole Time 04:23 – The “You’ll Grow Out of It” Era 06:16 – Hidden in Plain Sight 14:50 – Why “Just Stop” Fails 16:41 – The Regulation Connection 18:55 – The Shame Spiral 22:34 – Not Self-Harm. Not OCD. 26:35 – Beyond Fidgets 29:20 – ARC: Awareness, Regulation, Compassion 39:28 – Finding Your Fire Department 48:58 – Permission to Not Hate Yourself 54:56 – Redefining Recovery. | 57m 17s | ||||||
| 2/24/26 | Neurodivergent Women Analyze HBO's Girls | In this episode of Clinically Awkward, I, Alyssa Zimmerman, sit down with trauma therapist Carly Falk to unpack surviving your twenties through the chaotic millennial time capsule that is HBO’s Girls. We get into trauma work, EMDR, and why I don’t believe embarrassment belongs in therapy. Substance misuse, hypersexuality, sensory seeking, and messy friendships aren’t moral failures; they’re data about unmet needs. Neurodivergent women deserve care that is holistic, honest, and shame-resistant. Then we use Girls as a neurodivergent case study. Ray’s rigidity and info-dumping. Shoshana as the masked, competent autistic little professor. Hannah’s chaotic hyperbole, glossed-over OCD, and relationship dynamics that still make me wince. We revisit our millennial youth, six-beers-is-fine culture, warehouse parties, and the normalization of self-destruction in your twenties. And yes, my special interest, the Enneagram, inserts itself. I cannot watch fictional characters without typing them. Hannah as a Four as so is Jessa and they’re both spiraling into sabotage. Marni’s need to be chosen as intergenerational trauma. Shoshana’s possible Six energy sending me into a live wing crisis. We also touch on AuDHD patterns versus borderline personality disorder, including the difference between a “favorite person” and a “safe person,” and why black-and-white thinking hits differently in different neurotypes. We close with a radical idea: friendships can end without anyone being the villain. Sometimes growth looks like letting go. Carly shares about her practice, Lotus Embodied Counseling in Columbia, Maryland, and as always, I’m just out here saying what I needed to hear at 25. 0:00 - Welcome to Clinically Awkward: Quarter-Life Crisis Survivors (Feat. Carly) 3:54 - Therapist Origin Stories: The Practice I Accidentally Built 9:42 - Girls as a Neurodivergent Case Study (Respectfully) 15:46 - Millennial Optimism: Dollar Ubers, Chunky Necklaces, and Hipster Vibes 19:35 - Your Boyfriend Owns One Towel: Dating in Your Twenties 23:36 - We're Talking Too Much About Men Again (Derogatory) 27:22 - Shoshana, Masking, and the Little Professor Pipeline 32:30 - Hannah: Hyperbole, Bad Choices, and the Audacity of It All 37:01 - Shoshana's Six Energy & My Live Seven Wing Crash Out 41:10 - Jessa Is a Four and It's Not Fun: Chaos as Self-Sabotage 47:44 - Marnie Would Rather Be Chosen Than Be Okay 51:14 - Justice for Noreen: Second Adolescence, Please 52:51 - Okay We Have to Stop: Carly's Info + Emotional Aftercare | 54m 54s | ||||||
| 2/19/26 | BONUS: A Snake and a Baby Review: The Long Game | In this bonus episode of Clinically Awkward, I, Alyssa Zimmerman, your local stressy messy AuDHD therapist and self appointed Snake, join Rain Glenn, the Baby, to celebrate our unlikely friendship built entirely on the Game Changers universe, a completely normal and healthy bonding experience. We spiral about our 50 day and counting Heated Rivalry hyperfixation and everything we know about season two adapting The Long Game, including the Spring 2027 release and the deeply suspicious six episode order that we do not trust. We mourn the loss of the gladiator butt plug Halloween scene, celebrate Shane coming out to a teammate, and present a professional “please don’t cut this” list featuring the kitchen scene, couch and ice cream, phone smut, the Pike Kids wedding, and more jealous Ilya. We campaign for maximum Yuna Hollander, debate the plane crash monologue logistics, defend Shane from the “he’s an asshole” discourse, analyze Ilya’s dad coded energy, and accept that waiting until 2027 is now part of our personality. 00:00 50 Days Deep in the Hyperfixation 00:49 Heated Rivalry Season 2: What We're Gaining, What We're Losing, and Why We're Devastated. 02:38 Montreal Metros Beef: Hayden Discourse and Team Rage 04:01 Scenes We Actually Need to Continue Living, Yuna Hollander Supremecy, Ending Therapist Misrepresentation 09:18 Ilya’s Soft, Smushy Soul & Girl‑Dad Energy 13:46 The Pike Kids Wedding Must Happen 16:33 Supportive Neighbors & Bobblehead Solidarity 19:23 The Plane Crash That Broke Us 21:15 He's Not a Dick, He's Just Autistic 23:28 Troy & Harris: The Skip of Season Two 27:36 Svetlana Already Knows & The Jealous Ilya We Want to See 32:06 Season Split: A Hope & A Fear 36:57 Man Buns, Trip-and-Falls & Other Crimes Against Canon 41:02 Trophy Room: Layers Upon Layers 42:42 That Wedding Song Was a Choice & Man in the Crease Trash Talking 46:07 Luca Haas and Our Queer Agenda 49:48 Coping with the Dopamine Crash of a Six Episode Season | 52m 20s | ||||||
| 2/17/26 | The Food Rules are Fake | In this Eating Disorder Awareness Month episode of Clinically Awkward, I, Alyssa Zimmerman, stressy messy AuDHD therapist, am joined by Bailey Pilant to talk about disordered eating in neurodivergent people, especially binge eating disorder, with guest appearances by bulimia and ARFID. We explain why “just listen to your body” is wildly unhelpful advice when your hunger cues are basically non existent, and how restriction, calorie tracking, nighttime binges tend to show up together. We get into the AuDHD mechanics behind it all, including executive dysfunction, hyperfocus, sensory issues, dopamine seeking, medication effects, and the fear of being perceived. We also talk about why shame and punishment don’t actually change behavior, despite diet culture’s strong insistence otherwise. We challenge food rules like earning meals and labeling foods good or bad, share realistic strategies for getting fed when functioning is low, and discuss sensory barriers, clothing, body changes across life stages, and the emotional experience of weight fluctuation. We close with thoughts on self compassion, appreciating what bodies can do. 00:00 Welcome to Clinically Awkward + ED Awareness Month (Content Warning) 01:47 What Is Binge Eating Disorder? 03:37 Calorie-Tracking, Restriction, and Executive Dysfunction 17:37 Diet Culture, “Good vs Bad” Foods, and ‘Just Get Fed’ Strategies 20:22 Food Hyperfixations, Saving Calories, and Breaking the Food Rules 27:54 Sensory Issues, ARFID, and Being Perceived 32:31 Bodies Change Over Time. That's Normal. 38:09 Leggings vs Jeans, and Why Your Body Isn’t the Problem 41:39 Eating Disorder vs Disordered Eating 44:36 ARFID Tools: Cooking Shortcuts and Experimenting with Texture 49:22 Spaghetti Defeats Food Moralizing, and What We’d Tell Our Past Selves | 55m 40s | ||||||
| 2/10/26 | You’re Allowed to Enjoy That | As an offshoot of my ongoing Heated Rivalry hyperfixation, I, Alyssa Zimmerman, LCSW, am joined by sexologist Dr. Samia Khan for a candid conversation about queer and neurodivergent sexuality. We talk about the stigma around different types of pleasure, why the prostate has a PR problem, and how shame tends to ruin perfectly good curiosity. We also get into consent, communication, aftercare, kink, ethical non monogamy, and why different generations are having very different conversations about sex. Along the way, Dr. Khan shares how sex became both her professional field and a full blown special interest, and we retire a few myths that have been confidently incorrect for decades. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 03:11 Queer and Neurodivergent Sex 07:23 Anal Sex Myths and Realities 17:58 Autism and Sexuality 24:41 The Emotional Responsibilites of Sex 28:37 Consent, Substance Use, and Neurodivergence 31:04 Navigating Vulnerability and Attachment Trauma 37:31 Sex Education and Queer Relationships 45:28 Ethical Non-Monogamy and Kink 50:23 Concluding Thoughts and Resources | 52m 18s | ||||||
| 2/3/26 | I'm Just a Teenage Fangirl, Baby | In this episode of Clinically Awkward, I, Alyssa Zimmerman, your friendly neighborhood stressy messy AuDHD therapist, sit down with author Maria Ingrande Mora to talk about our shared and deeply unhinged hyperfixation on hockey. We unpack our hockey origin stories, including nostalgic and occasionally wacky adolescent fandom, how our relationship with the sport has evolved, and what neurodivergent joy, intensity, and identity look like both on and off the ice. We also get into sports and mental health, parasocial relationships with athletes (you are not alone), and Maria’s upcoming book A Wild Radiance. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 09:07 Hyperfixations and Hockey 15:28 Fandom and Social Dynamics 24:41 Playoff Moments and Emotional H ighs 31:40 Autistic Teen Girl Fandom 35:46 Sexual Objectification in Sports 40:46 The Paradox of Hockey Fights 45:25 Dynamics and Inclusivity 51:31 Nostalgia and Favorite Stories 56:56 Aaaand Back to Heated Rivalry 58:33 Author's New Book | 59m 42s | ||||||
| 1/13/26 | Hygiene Hijinks | In this episode of Clinically Awkward, I, Alyssa Zimmerman, AuDHD therapist, am joined by Dana Cea, a therapist from North Carolina, to explore the unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face around hair care and hygiene. Dana shares insights into their own neurodivergent identity, the impact of social expectations on appearance, and practical ways to make hair care routines more manageable. The conversation balances honesty and warmth as we talk through sensory sensitivities, societal pressures, and the often unspoken realities of personal hygiene, with an emphasis on self-accommodation and reducing shame. This episode offers compassionate, grounded strategies for neurodivergent folks navigating daily self-care. 00:00 Introduction to Clinically Awkward 00:33 Meet Dana Cea: Neurodivergent Therapist 04:42 Navigating Appearance Expectations 13:01 Curly Hair Chronicles 21:44 Hair Care Routines and Challenges 29:44 Professional Appearance Expecta tions 33:59 Hygiene Challenges and Neurodivergence 40:59 Simplifying Hygiene Routines 51:59 Self-Care Tips for Neurodivergent Individuals | 56m 55s | ||||||
| 1/6/26 | Getting Good at Geeking Out | In this episode of Clinically Awkward, I, Alyssa Zimmerman, your favorite stressy, messy AuDHD therapist, chat with Colette Bennett, a journalist, author, and Cohost of Colette and Matt Have Entered the Chat. Colette discusses how she turned her love for video games into a profession. She recounts her journey from geeking out over an Atari at age five to working in a high-speed newsroom. They laugh about ADHD mishaps, discuss the wild world of gaming journalism, why yelling 'get good' is the ultimate insult in gamer lingo, and her decision to ultimately leave the field. Colette offers sage (and hilarious) advice for young neurodivergent women diving into male-dominated spaces, reminding them it's totally okay to be the awkwardly brilliant queens they are. Find Collette Here: Colette's Instagram Colette & Matt on Youtube Colette and Matt Have Entered The Chat 00:00 Introduction and Special Interests 00:16 Guest Introduction: Colette Bennett 00:41 Colette's Diagnosis Journey 03:51 ADHD Treatment Experiences 06:18 Hyperfocus on Video Games 10:29 Challenges as a Woman in Gaming 20:30 Gaming as a Social Outlet for Neurodivergent Individuals 25:31 Navigating Online Communities 28:24 Masking and Competency in Gaming 33:54 Wholesome Gaming Communities 38:16 Gamergate and Its Impact 44:11 Advice for Neurodivergent Women 51:51 Where to Find More Content | 52m 48s | ||||||
| 1/1/26 | BONUS: Help, I'm Still at the Cottage | In this bonus, supersized, and increasingly unhinged episode of Clinically Awkward, Rain Glynn and I discuss our current hyper-fixation, the Canadian “hockey” show Heated Rivalry. We dig into the show’s character portrayals of neurodivergence, trauma, and interpersonal relationshiops. We dissect moments of clear autistic behavior, the show’s handling of trauma and mental health, and the authentic representation of queer relationships. With plenty of humor, we also explore fan reactions, the importance of female characters, and the brilliant performances by the actors. Spoilers abound as we offer an enthusiastic, fan-girl driven therapist’s breakdown of the show. 01:04: Introducing Heated Rivalry 02:50 Autism in Heated Rivalry 11:13: Trauma and Relationships 16:45 Fan Reactions and Adaptation Discussion 30:20: Hayden and Shane Friendship Dynamics 31:50 Unmasking and Evolving Communication 43:57 Shane’s Coming Out and Family Dynamics 50:28: Neurodivergent and POC Representation in Media 58:48 Final Thoughts and Future Hopes | 1h 04m 02s | ||||||
| 12/30/25 | Not All Fun and Games | In this episode of Clinically Awkward, join me, your. Favorite stressy messy AuDHD therapist, Alyssa Zimmerman as I sit down with Danielle Procope Bell, an Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at University of Tennessee and expert in Black Feminism and Critical Autism Studies. Danielle shares her journey as a late-diagnosed autistic woman and her special interest in chess, diving into how it has shaped her personal and academic life. The conversation explores the intersectionality of race, gender, and neurodivergence, touching on family dynamics, cultural disparities in diagnosis, and the pressures of masking. Danielle provides valuable insights into how critical autism research can better include Black Autistic voices and the broader implications of creating an inclusive society. Tune in for an engaging, honest, and illuminating discussion that challenges existing paradigms and champions neurodivergent inclusivity. 00:52 Meet Danielle Procope Bell 05:06 Chess, Autism, and Pop Culture 09:31 Intersection of Autism and Black Feminism 21:14 Navigating Social and Racial Bias 31:35 Young Adulthood and Autistic Masking 38:23 Challenges of Adulthood and Parenthood 43:15 The Sims and Neurodivergent Reflections 47:17 Advice for Black Women Suspecting Autism 49:28 Critical Autism Research and Inclusivity 58:01 Concluding Thoughts and Contact Information | 59m 07s | ||||||
| 12/23/25 | Gallop and Grow | In this episode of Clinically Awkward, I, Alyssa Zimmerman, your favorite AuDHD therapist, am joined by the hilarious Rain Glynn to yap about equine therapy. We chat about all things horses, because who knew horses could be therapists too, right? Rain breaks down therapeutic riding, horsemanship, and equine-assisted psychotherapy, and we touch on how horses are basically huge emotional sponges. You'll hear wild stories about horses in therapy, clients who beef with their horses, and how ponies are evil. Horses make the best therapists, no contest. But don't just take my word for it, tune in and we'll laugh, learn, and maybe even convince you to give equine therapy a try. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Framing 01:14 Understanding Equine Therapy Modalities 08:56 Sensory Processing and Equine Therapy 14:20 Challenges and Misconceptions in Equine Therapy 23:49 The Unique Benefits of Equine Therapy 29:31 Client Experiences with Horse Behavior 35:04 Neurodivergence in the Military 37:16 Myths About Equine Therapy 39:14 Horses’ Emotional Intelligence & Personalities, 50:50 Funny Horse Stories and Training 56:05 Starting Your Equine Therapy Journey 57:21: Conclusion and Outro | 58m 02s | ||||||
| 12/16/25 | Chronically Chaotic | Join me, Alyssa Zimmerman, your favorite Stressy, Depressy, AuDHD therapist, as I chat with Blair Buckley, a social worker and therapist from Denver. Blair dives into her journey of dealing with late-diagnosed ADHD, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, POTS, and MCAS, while navigating the complex healthcare system as a neurodivergent woman. We discuss the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in medical settings, the importance of advocating for oneself, and the small victories in managing chronic illness. Tune in for an insightful and honest conversation filled with practical advice and as always a healthy dose of humor. | 1h 53m 02s | ||||||
| 12/9/25 | Auntie Antics | In this episode of Clinically Awkward, I’m joined once again by friend-of-the-pod Sidrah Kahn as we unpack our shared experiences with aunthood, messy family dynamics, and what it means to be the resident child-free women holding the emotional scaffolding together. We talk about the joys and chaos of being an aunt, swap stories about our nieces and nephews, and get into the very specific kind of care child-free women end up providing. We also dig into how millennial women think about motherhood now that we’ve seen the unfiltered reality of pregnancy and postpartum. It’s honest, funny, and a little too relatable for anyone “cool aunt” who has never been cool on purpose. 00:00 Introduction to Clinically Awkward 00:58 Welcoming Sidrah Kahn: Aunthood and Family Dynamics 04:29 The Role of Aunts in Child Development 08:39 Cultural Perspectives on Aunthood 20:53 Neurodivergence in the Family 23:56 Sensory Sensitivities and Accommodations 27:34 Navigating School Cafeterias and Childhood Experiences 28:53 The Evolution of Communication: From Track Phones to Smartphones 31:34 The Role of Child-Free Women in Family Systems 33:41 Aunt Life: The Joys and Challenges 35:39 Reflections on Parenthood and Child-Free Choices 43:25 The Importance of Community and Support Systems 53:44 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections | 54m 38s | ||||||
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