Navigating business ownership as a neurodivergent entrepreneur can be both challenging and empowering, offering independence and autonomy in work life while also requiring constant self-assessment of needs and capacity. In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Natalia Rivera, a trauma-informed therapist specializing in high-masking Autistic adults, about how late-in-life neurodivergence discovery impacts entrepreneurship and the importance of honoring authentic capacity.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Capacity isn't fixed: Burnout plays a role in how our energy and cognitive capacity change over time, and it's critical to continually assess and honor those limits as we grow professionally.
2. Rest is a critical business strategy: Building in downtime, taking restorative breaks, and pausing to reflect are essential, not only for wellbeing but also to create and produce meaningful work sustainably.
3. Embrace adaptation and outsourcing: Entrepreneurship allows for adaptability. This can look like slowing down, delegating tasks, and shifting business models to align with evolving needs and spiky neurodivergent profiles.

More about Natalia:

Natalia Rivera is a neurodivergent, trauma-informed therapist and clinical psychology intern who specializes in working with high-masking autistic adults. She is EMDR-trained and passionate about helping clients unlearn survival-based identities and reconnect with their authentic selves.

Her doctoral research explores the identity development of high-masking autistic women, and her background as a former English educator informs her love of storytelling, depth, and meaning-making in the therapeutic process. Natalia believes healing is holistic—integrating mind, body, and spirit—and that faith can be a powerful component of psychological growth. She enjoys nature, literature, and time with the people and animals she loves.

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/awakentherapysf
• Website: https://awakentherapy.org

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🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

I've been sitting with this for a while, and honestly? It's been unfolding naturally, in real time, for longer than I've cared to admit.

If you've been listening to All Things Private Practice over the past year or two, you may have noticed something shifting. The conversations were changing. I wasn't just talking to therapists about starting group practices or building caseloads anymore — I was sitting across from neurodivergent entrepreneurs, late-diagnosed creatives, people building businesses that looked nothing like the traditional path. And in those conversations, I have felt the most alive.

So, I'm making it official.

All Things Private Practice Podcast is becoming The Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast.

This isn't a pivot away from what the show has always stood for — it's a full step into what it's been slowly becoming. I'm not leaving behind the mental health professionals and private practice owners who've been here since the beginning. You're still very much part of this. But I'm widening the path.

Neurodivergent entrepreneurs in tech, the arts, education, finance, trades, creative fields — if you're building something on a brain that doesn't fit the standard mold, this show is for you now too.

Same raw, unfiltered conversations. Same refusal to make it prettier than it is. Just a bigger table. Think the table in Game of Thrones, or the map of Middle Earth. With different worlds, ideas, and very different points of view.

A few things to know:

• New name, same feed — no need to resubscribe

• Episodes will now drop on Wednesdays (previously Saturdays) on all major platforms and YouTube

• The first episode under the new name drops Wednesday — and it sets the tone for exactly where we're headed

I've built this show with 1.5 million downloads worth of trust, and I don't take that lightly. This rebrand is about honoring that trust by being more honest about what this work has always really been about.

Building something real. On your own terms. Unmasked and Unfiltered.

Doubt Yourself. Do It Anyway.

In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Katherine L’Etang (A.K.A. @TheNeurodiversityMom) about her journey as a late-diagnosed Autistic and ADHD adult, which is both powerful and relatable, especially for advocates, parents, and neurodiverse professionals.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Self-advocacy is essential: It's important to seek validating, knowledgeable professionals—and not settle for invalidating experiences, especially when it comes to late diagnosis and mental health support. Doing your homework on assessors and trusting your self-knowledge is crucial.
2. Diagnosis is just the beginning: Receiving an autism or ADHD diagnosis in adulthood can trigger a profound shift in self-understanding and acceptance, but it may also lead to a period of intensified traits and burnout before healing begins. Giving yourself grace and time is vital.
3. Vulnerability builds community: Whether sharing her own journey or making decisions about what to share as a parent, Katherine models how public vulnerability can foster collective healing and support—while continually wrestling with questions of privacy and consent, especially for her kids.

More about Katherine:

Katherine L’Etang, also known as @TheNeurodiversityMom, is a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD content creator who has made it her mission to provide community, inclusion, and acceptance to anyone who is autistic or raising autistic kids. She lives in British Columbia, Canada, with her husband and two kids.

• Instagram: instagram.com/theneurodiversitymom

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Yael Clark and Liam Spicer about building neurodiversity-affirming mental health spaces and the Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Conference Australia & LOAPAC Expo.

They discuss how collaboration among neurodivergent professionals can drive change—whether by centering lived experience, innovating inclusive practices, or redefining what “professional” environments look like.

3 Key takeaways:

1. Practice What You Preach: Every layer of event planning—from speaker selection to seating arrangements—should be infused with neurodiversity-affirming values, not just the content itself.
2. True Accessibility Means Change: Accommodations like sensory-friendly spaces, alternative seating, open movement, and even alternative applause create environments where more people can show up authentically and sustain their energy.
3. Community-Led Innovation: Real impact comes from grassroots collaboration and feedback—welcoming new voices, ideas, and continuous adaptation, both onsite and online.

If you’re creating events, building communities, or delivering care: model the values you want to see, because people notice—and they appreciate it.

More about Yael:

Yael Clark is an Educational & Developmental Psychologist and former teacher who established her private practice, Supporting Parents in 2005 after having taught at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels for 15 years. A late-identified AuDHDer herself, her work has increasingly expanded beyond the therapy room into disability rights, advocacy, and systems change.

In 2020, she created an online community for Autistic mental health professionals, from which two larger groups quickly emerged, comprising more than 14,000 lived experience clinicians and allies. In 2024, she founded LOAPAC Australia (the League of Autistic Psychologists and Affirming Colleagues), an organisation dedicated to neurodiversity-affirming mental health care and increasing community access to affirming clinicians with lived experience. LOAPAC maintains a public register of mental health practitioners whose values and practice align with LOAPAC’s non-pathologising framework.

Her work is shaped both by her professional background and by her family’s experiences navigating systems that failed to understand Autistic needs. She is a proud Jewish woman who believes that never again means never again for anyone.

More about Liam:

Liam Spicer (he/him) is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Psychologist, EMDR Trainer and Consultant, and Accredited ISST Schema Therapist with lived experience as an Autistic ADHDer. He coordinates Cairnmillar’s Postgraduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care and delivers EMDR training for Psychology Training.

His clinical and research work focuses on neurodiversity-affirming trauma therapy, particularly with Autistic and ADHD adults. Liam is Director of the Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Conference Australia and is involved in several research and training projects in this space.

Free gift from Yael and Liam: We will raffle off one free online registration for the conference. Raffle Instructions to win 1-free virtual or in-person ticket: Mention this episode on social media and tag @Patrick.Casale + @Ndaffirmingtherapyconference, as well as 3 friends who may want to join you at the conference. The winner will be announced shortly after.

• Social media: @Ndaffirmingtherapyconference + @Loapac_psychologists
• Website: ndaffirmingtherapyaus.org
• Website: loapac.org

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Jodie Hill, who is the founder & managing partner of Thrive Law, a neurodivergent solicitor, and a passionate advocate for mental health, equity, and neuroinclusion in the workplace. Her lived experience and legal expertise shed light on the daily realities—challenges and opportunities—for neurodivergent professionals and their employers.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Psychological safety is critical: Many neurodivergent employees hesitate to fully disclose their diagnosis due to concerns about how managers will respond, highlighting the urgent need for organizations to foster safer, more inclusive environments.
2. One size DOES NOT fit all: Individual needs must be heard and understood—there is no universal set of accommodations that works for everyone. Truly inclusive workplaces focus on listening and adapting to each person's unique strengths and challenges.
3. Leadership accountability and learning matter: Mistakes will happen as organizations strive for inclusion. What’s key is for leaders to listen, take ownership, and keep learning from those they support.

More about Jodie, Founder & Managing Partner of Thrive Law:

Jodie Hill is a neurodivergent solicitor, ED&I consultant, coach and trainer, author and campaigner. She is passionate about employment law, mental health and wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I), and neurodiversity.

A qualified barrister initially called to the Bar by The Inner Temple in 2010, Jodie then cross-qualified to become a solicitor in 2013. Her mental breakdown in 2017, which Jodie now describes as her “mental breakthrough”, led her to establish Thrive Law in 2018. It was the first law firm in the UK founded with wellbeing and mental health at its heart.

Check out Jodie's Neurodiversity website page with diagnostic and training: thrivelaw.co.uk/neurodiversity.

Jodie’s Social Media:

• Instagram: @Iamjodiehill
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jodie-hill-lawyer

Thrive Law’s Social Media:

• Instagram: @thrive_law
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/thrive-lawleeds

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

In this episode, Patrick Casale shares a brutally honest look at living with chronic neuroimmune conditions while trying to keep up with plans, business, and even just daily life. If you’ve ever felt like your body is working against you and struggled to keep up with the demands of life, you’re not alone.

Patrick opens up about the exhausting intersection of autism, ADHD, POTS, MCAS, Ehlers-Danlos, chronic pain, burnout, and more. The challenges are real: unpredictable energy, inconsistent capacity, medical gaslighting, and the constant guilt of letting others down.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Pace Yourself Relentlessly: Learn to recognize energy “spoons” and avoid going into deficit mode—overexertion leads to longer recovery and deeper burnout.
2. Build Accommodations Into Your Work Life: Remote work, flexible schedules, and chunking tasks are vital. Leverage low-energy tasks and batch work when possible to maximize good days and safeguard your health.
3. Seek Community and Share Strategies: Isolation compounds pain. Normalize your experience by connecting with others, sharing pacing strategies, and being honest about capacity.

If you’re navigating similar waters, know this: your experience is valid, and there are ways to adapt your life to support your unique needs.

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Mandi Dixon, LPC, EMDR therapist, and ADHD executive functioning coach, about the intersection of ADHD and perimenopause, an area with far too little research and awareness—despite how profoundly it impacts so many lives. Mandi shares both expertise and lived experience, highlighting the real challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals navigating this transition.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Perimenopause and Neurodiversity: The intersection of ADHD (and often autism) with perimenopause leads to increased and earlier symptom onset, more intense sensory sensitivity, sleep disruption, and overwhelming emotional changes.
2. It’s Not All in Your Head: Many women (and people of all genders with similar physiology) are misdiagnosed or dismissed by healthcare providers. Recognize that these symptoms are hormonal and neurological—not character flaws or mental health failures.
3. There Is Help Available: Specialized menopause practitioners (often accessible via telehealth) and resources like symptom trackers can empower individuals to advocate effectively for the care they deserve.

More about Mandi:

Mandi Dixon is a Licensed Professional Counselor, EMDR therapist, and ADHD Executive Function Coach specializing in the intersection of ADHD and perimenopause in women. She’s a member of The Menopause Society and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, and her work has been featured in USA Today and Good Morning America. Mandi is based in Allen, Texas, where she sees clients and is currently writing her first book on ADHD and midlife hormonal health.

• Instagram: @Adhdmenopausetherapist
• mandidixonco.com
• mymenopauserx.com

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Michelle Moseley, LCMHC, who provides trauma-informed, weight-inclusive, and neurodivergent-affirming counseling for survivors of religious/spiritual harm and individuals who struggle with body image.

They discuss the factors that play into religious and spiritual harm, including the impact it can have on a person, and what therapeutic approaches are helpful vs. harmful.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Specialization Goes Beyond Lived Experience: Lived experience with religious trauma can inform our work as clinicians, but true specialization comes from doing our own healing and seeking diverse, continuing education, not just relying on personal background.
2. Common Themes in Religious Trauma: Clients often present with gender-based discrimination, purity culture wounds, and a struggle with autonomy—especially when coming from high-control or patriarchal religious environments.
3. The Importance of Safe Community and Normalizing Questions: Questioning long-held beliefs is a healthy part of growth. Providing safe spaces and support groups can help those navigating deconstruction realize they’re not alone, and that curiosity is a sign of development, not wrongdoing.

More about Michelle

Michelle F. Moseley, LCMHC, (she/her) is a mental health counselor in North Carolina. She specializes in supporting folks who have received messages throughout life that they are "too much", yet somehow also "never enough." Her work includes providing trauma-informed, weight-inclusive, and neurodivergent-affirming counseling services to survivors of religious/spiritual harm and to those who struggle with body image or feeling disconnected from their body, as well as supporting late-identified neurodivergent individuals. In addition to her counseling services, she also provides consultation and continuing education courses for mental health professionals, as well as educational workshops for various groups and organizations. Michelle believes that ALL people deserve respect, compassion, and to feel heard.

Check out Michelle's continuing education courses. Info can be found at michellefmoseley.com/continuing-education

• Instagram: @therapy_with_michelle
• Facebook: facebook.com/MichelleFMoseleyCounseling
• Website: michellefmoseley.com

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Pasha Marlowe, a mental health expert, neuroinclusion speaker, consultant, and coach, about her neuroinclusion work on improving workplace culture and leadership, which stemmed from seeing the real harm that some non-inclusive systems can inflict on neurodivergent employees. Neuroinclusion isn’t just about supporting and attracting Autistic or ADHD team members—it’s about fostering a culture where every kind of mind can thrive, be seen, and be respected.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Inclusion means everyone: Don’t silo support only to autism or ADHD—embrace neurodiversity as an expansive umbrella, welcoming all who think or sense differently, whether innately or through lived experience.
2. Flexibility, clarity, and agency are non-negotiable: Simple changes—like allowing varied work hours, alternative communication styles, or remote work options—build a more accessible and effective culture for all, not just neurodivergent staff.
3. Trust and continuous communication are everything: Leaders should believe employees’ stated needs without demanding proof, and communicate openly about both staff and leadership preferences. It’s not about getting it perfect, but about ongoing, reciprocal dialogue.

More about Pasha:

Pasha brings over 32 years of experience as a mental health expert to her work as a neuroinclusion speaker, consultant, and coach. She collaborates with global organizations and institutions who value neurodiversity and neuroinclusive leadership. Pasha is the author of "Creating Cultures of Neuroinclusion" and has created an actionable R.E.S.P.E.C.T. framework and leadership guide to support neurodiverse teams and communities. Most importantly, Pasha leads with 55 years of lived experience as an autistic ADHDer.

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pashamarlowe

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🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community

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✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Liz Ridgway about her career journey—how growing up as an athlete in small-town Pennsylvania ultimately led her to founding MENTL.SESH, collaborating with brands like Nike and NASCAR, and supporting high performers and creatives through therapy and consulting.

After years in nonprofit and foster care settings, Liz realized the importance of bringing all passions and parts of herself into work. By building a brand that authentically reflects who she is, she's connected with incredible clients and partners in some of the world’s most high-pressure spaces.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Think outside the therapy office: Your skills are valuable across industries. Connect what you love (sports, fashion, music—whatever it is) with your professional expertise.
2. Relationship-building is essential: Go beyond just “networking”—form genuine connections with people and organizations in your target industries. Sometimes, years of conversations lead to that dream opportunity.
3. Embrace your unique brand: Show up as yourself, both online and off. The clients and opportunities carved out just for you will follow.

More about Liz:

Liz Ridgway, LCSW, is a licensed therapist, speaker, mental health consultant, and content creator specializing in the wellness of elite athletes, high performers, and creatives. Based in Philadelphia and NYC, Liz brings a modern, culturally aware approach to mental health - making her a trusted voice for individuals and organizations looking to prioritize emotional wellbeing in high-pressure spaces.

As the founder of MENTL.SESH, Liz leads a private practice that provides individual therapy and mental health support to athletes, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and creatives. This includes working with MLB and NASCAR athletes and personnel, helping them navigate performance pressure, identity, recovery, and the mental demands of competing on the world’s biggest stages. She also partners with brands and companies to design and deliver interactive workshops, keynotes, and mental health strategy consulting.

Her consulting work includes collaborations with leading global brands such as Meta, Adidas, StockX, Champion, and more - providing training on topics like burnout prevention, identity beyond achievement, and building a culture of mental wellness. Liz is also a sought after content partner, having worked with Nike, Complex, Bleacher Report, Reebok, Red Bull, Crocs, Disney, The Hundreds, and more. She designed the Nike Air Max 270 React “In My Feels”, the first sneaker to center mental health in both name and narrative.

With a Master’s in Social Work from NYU and a strong digital presence, Liz uses storytelling and social media to break down stigma and build safe spaces where mental health is seen, heard, and supported.

• Website: mentlsesh.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/lizbcroft
• Instagram: instagram.com/mentl.sesh
• TikTok: tiktok.com/lizbcroft

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Podcast

🎙️Spotify: https://ndpod.org/Spotify

🎙️Apple: https://ndpod.org/Apple-Podcast

🎙️ YouTube: https://ndpod.org/YouTube

🧠 Neurodivergent Entrepreneur Freebie Vault: https://ndpod.org/Freebie-Vault

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: https://ndpod.org/Free-Podcasting-Workbook

✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur

Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.

Access your free mini-course here: https://ndpod.org/Neurodivergent-Entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

 The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.