Comfort Zone Expansion Underway

In today’s ever-growing digital age and the exposure brought about by social media platforms, it is essential for new clinicians to establish a strong presence. Collecting referrals, networking, and developing a personal "brand" online are now necessary components of success. While I am not new to mental health, I am new (new-ish) to Virginia, and at the time of my relocation (Orlando to Virginia) , The Williamsburg TRC office was just opening. Meaning I really needed to stretch those comfort zone borders. New state, new home, new professional branding… yikes, right? Did I mention that I moved in May 2020?

In a society that favors extroversion, being introverted can really put me at a disadvantage. I excel in small group dynamics, and I'm comfortable with my introverted nature. My happy place is a cozy spot with a good book, coffee, and probably with chocolate nearby. While curling up with a good book is how I prefer to spend my free time, it’s not exactly the most effective way to market my skills as a clinician. So, what's an introverted bookworm to do?

First, and I cannot stress this enough, find a great boss. I've been fortunate to have an incredibly supportive boss who encourages me to be open and confident in sharing my expertise while understanding my reluctance to attend community networking events. With her support, I've focused on finding true-to-self ways of community engagement, such as starting a mental health book club and curating an interoffice reference library for clinicians.

Deciding to write a blog about neurodiversity stems from a need to address the misconceptions and the prevalent lack of understanding that many people encounter daily. By sharing valuable insights, personal experiences, and thoughtful perspectives, I sincerely hope to spread awareness, understanding, and acceptance.

As it turns out, writing for mass consumption feels pretty extroverted. As is common among many neurodiverse individuals, I have had to confront heightened sensitivities to criticism and rejection. My continued personal and professional development has helped prepare me to step outside my comfort zone. There was a point where I was convinced the only person who would read my blog was my mom.

Now, I find that I am excited to explore this new means of connection. My mission is to create a comprehensive collection of neurodiverse information from reliable and respected sources. I’ll include my source material along the way. I hope you’ll join me as I explore frequently asked questions, bite-sized explanations for some elephant-sized concepts, relationships, family dynamics, and more. I hope this literary adventure is helpful, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts.

and if no one ever reads this, then… well… Hi, Mom.