In episode 11, Chris and Emma were joined by Tina Harlow, LCSW, a child and family therapist specializing in giftedness in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, who shared her experiences as a neurodiversity-affirming clinician. She talked about how overexcitabilities can differ among family members and the importance of understanding and honoring these differences. She also shared strategies for dealing with the different types of overexcitability. We discussed how positive disintegration can manifest in children and teens, and how Tina supports children and their families through existential depression, physical signs of stress, spiritual crises, and more. We learned about the prevalence of gender-nonconforming children among her gifted clientele, and the importance of affirming these children rather than denying their authenticity. We addressed the importance of language, and being intentional in its use, in the spirit of Dabrowski’s theory, which gives us a non-pathologizing lens to help us view differences that are often seen as deficits or disorders. Tina also shared about her work with the World Hope Project, which allows children from around the world to share their message of empathy, inclusivity, and hope.

Here’s a photo from the day Chris met Tina at Linda Silverman’s house when she was picking up Michael Piechowski to bring him to the airport. (April 17, 2018)

Tina interviewed Michael for her eBook that day, and you can see the video here.

The eBook Tina created from these interviews with experts is called Helping Gifted Kids Thrive.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Guiding Bright (Tina’s website)

World Hope Project (website)

World Hope Project (YouTube)

SoulSpark Learning Empowerment Series (YouTube)

(Tina mentioned John Wing Flower’s session specifically)

Emma’s videos for living with OEs

SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted)

* A transcript of this episode is available on the Dabrowski Center website.

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The Tragic Gift blog by Emma

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