Clinically Awkward

In this episode of 'Clinically Awkward,' host Alyssa Zimmerman welcomes singer, songwriter, and therapist Cassandra Holt Kimball to discuss her journey with neurodivergence and her passion for gardening. They explore Cassandra's diagnosis journey to discovering CPTSD and autism, and how this has influenced her therapeutic approach. The conversation touches on the role of specialized therapy, cultural identity, and the challenges of navigating systems as a neurodivergent individual. They also dive into the sensory and therapeutic benefits of gardening, sharing tips for urban gardening and building community. Filled with personal stories, humor, and insights, this episode celebrates neurodivergent experiences and advocates for a deeper understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity in both therapeutic settings and everyday life.

01:31 Introducing Cassandra Holt Kimball

01:43 Cassandra's Journey with Neurodivergence

04:04 Navigating Cultural Identity in Therapy

06:03 Challenges with Medical Providers

12:16 Understanding Neurodivergence and Trauma

17:50 Gardening as a Therapeutic Hobby

20:00 Urban Gardening Tips and Tricks

25:47 Sensory Aspects of Gardening

29:29 Connecting Through Pop Culture

30:35 Therapeutic Gardening and Sensory Experiences

32:48 Community and Nature in Urban Spaces

33:28 Challenges of Neurodivergence in Daily Life

45:01 Eye Contact and Autism

47:53 Political Frustrations and Advocacy

51:52 Embracing Neurodivergence

54:07 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of 'Clinically Awkward,' host Alyssa Zimmerman speaks with guest Katy Raileanu, a therapist diagnosed with ADHD, who discusses her journey with the diagnosis and experience as a neurodivergent therapist. Katy delves into her lifelong special interest in horses, sharing insights into horse breeds, their personalities, and why horses might attract neurodivergent individuals. The conversation also touches on the emotional regulation benefits of horses, and how neurodivergent people often develop an interest in understanding others.

This week on Clinically Awkward, I’m diving deep into the world of Taylor Swift with licensed professional counselor Sidrah Khan. We talk Swifties, limerence, parasocial heartbreak, and how Taylor’s music hits different when you’re neurodivergent. From hyper-specific memory quirks to the chaos of the Eras Tour, we unpack the patterns, the rage, and the unapologetic feelings that make Swifties feel seen.

Expect oversharing, laughs, and way too much discussion about all the songs—from All Too Well to Mastermind—as we explore why Taylor’s storytelling resonates with big emotions, messy relationships, and the neurodivergent experience of being misunderstood.

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the mental health system through the eyes of AuDHD clinicians. From navigating burnout and boundary-setting to the frustrating inefficiencies of working in inpatient and outpatient settings, we break the 4th wall to reveal what it’s really like to be a neurodivergent therapist. Expect candid stories, unfiltered reflections, and insights into how neurodivergence shapes both the work and the people doing it. This is mental health, unmasked.

Ever wonder why some people are so irresistible to us while others push all of our buttons? Alyssa Zimmerman chats with fellow neurodivergent therapist Lauren Evans to break down the Enneagram in a way that’s practical, funny, and unapologetically real. We dive into each of the nine types, explore wings and growth paths, and share stories about embracing quirks, contradictions, and all the “too much” parts of yourself. Whether you’re curious about your type, want to understand others better, or just need permission to own your weirdness, this episode is full of insights, laughs, and tools you can actually use.

The girls are not okay. The girls have been fine-ing their way through undiagnosed ADHD and autism for decades and they are exhausted.

For the first episode of Clinically Awkward, I sat down with Bailey Pilant, an AuDHD licensed mental health counselor, to talk about what the neurodivergent female experience actually looks like when nobody caught it the first time, or the second, or the third. We cover the masking that starts in childhood before anyone has words for it, the misdiagnoses that pile up in its place, and what it means to finally stop performing okayness.

Bailey brings her own story, including a stint in pageantry that turned out to be an accidental masterclass in sensory management and people-pleasing, and her clinical specialty connecting ADHD, autism, and hormonal conditions like PMDD and PCOS.

Bailey is licensed in New York and Florida and can be found at thewavecounseling.com.

Tired of masking your awesomeness? Me too. Clinically Awkward is a podcast for neurodivergent women, femmes, and thems who embrace their quirks, passions, and all the chaos that makes life interesting.

Join me, Alyssa Zimmerman, a lively and honest AuDHD psychotherapist, as I chat with guests about obsessions, curiosities, and the tangents that make us who we are. Expect candid conversations, laughter, and the kind of oversharing that feels like coming home.

Subscribe for a space where curiosity is celebrated, perfection is overrated, and being yourself is more than enough.