In this episode, we explore the powerful intersection between trauma, neurodivergence, and healing. Together, we unpack the impact of late identification, the limitations of diagnostic boxes, and the deep relief that comes from finally having language for your experience.

We discuss how trauma often presents differently in neurodivergent individuals, why talk therapy isn’t always enough, and how body-based approaches like EMDR and IFS can support authentic, sustainable healing.

This is a conversation for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t quite fit—and is ready to start where they are.

Themes: late diagnosis, masking, PDA, trauma-informed care, nervous system safety, somatic therapy

Vera (she/they) is a Senior Clinical Psychologist and Board-Approved Supervisor based in Sydney, Australia. They work with adults who are survivors of trauma, supporting them through the healing process with a person-centred, culturally sensitive, and neuro-affirming approach. Drawing on trauma-informed modalities such as Internal Family Systems, EMDR, and somatic practices, Vera helps clients reconnect with their inner wisdom and sense of Self. As a late-identified neurodivergent person with lived experience of high-masking, Vera values authenticity and understands the challenges of living at the intersection of multiple identities. Through both their clinical work and personal growth journey, they aim to increase the awareness of trauma healing and the importance of doing "the work" to live a fulfilling life.

For more information about Vera check out:

• https://loapac.org/rap/vera-yeo

Vera's blog post explaining what trauma is:

• https://www.sydneypsychhub.com.au/unravelling-_trauma/

Books Vera mentioned in the episode:

• The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
• It Didn't Start With You by Mark Wolynn

Vera suggested affordable trauma-informed online trainings:

• https://www.nicabm.com/

For more information about our podcast hosts check out the links below:

Caitlin Hughes

Cathartic Collaborations - https://www.catharticcollaborations.com.au

Social media: @cathartic.collaborations

Teena Mogler

Balance Centre for Mental Health - https://www.balancecentreformentalhealth.com.au.

Social media: @balancecentreformentalhealth

Ready to enhance your listening experience and make the most of each episode? Become a paid subscriber and gain access to our specially tailored Episode Guides: https://divergentdialogues.substack.com/

What’s inside?

Clear, Concise Summaries: Easily revisit episode highlights to ensure you’ve got the essentials covered, all presented in a straightforward, digestible format.

Reflective Questions: Explore thought-provoking prompts that honour diverse thinking styles. Whether you prefer quiet contemplation or lively discussion, these questions invite you to delve deeper at your own pace.

Supportive Activities: Discover exercises and gentle strategies designed to foster learning, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing. Build on your unique strengths and nurture a sense of self-understanding.

By joining our community of paid subscribers, you’ll unlock practical tools to help you on your journey to understanding and embracing your neurodivergence.

In this candid and deeply affirming conversation, we explore the layered experience of internalised ableism and the lifelong journey toward self-acceptance as Autistic individuals. Through personal reflections, shared insights, and the powerful inclusion of an audiobook excerpt by guest author Annie Kotowicz, we unpack how diagnosis, identity, boundaries, and belonging evolve over time. Caitlin and Teena show up with honesty, compassion, and vulnerability—offering a grounded perspective on what it means to live authentically as late-diagnosed Autistic person.

Annie Kotowicz is an autistic author on a mission to:

• Describe the beautiful view from her brain,

• Help other autistics see the beauty of their own brains, and

• Show why neurodiversity is a beautiful thing.

She studied Art and English at Trinity Western University, which led to various jobs in graphic design, editing, and website development. After an autism diagnosis in 2017, she created the blog Neurobeautiful to process her ongoing discoveries about autism and neurodiversity. Since then, she has become a Chief Technology Officer, Special Education Teacher, and member of Mensa. What I Mean When I Say I’m Autistic is her first book. She has also written articles and poetry for Edutopia, NeuroClastic, and Spaces Literary Journal. Annie is happiest when writing, dancing, practicing parkour, drawing Celtic knots, or organizing her cozy and colorful home near Washington, D.C.

Website: https://neurobeautiful.com/book

Email: mybrainisbeautiful@gmail.com

For more information about our podcast hosts check out the links below:

Caitlin Hughes

Cathartic Collaborations - https://www.catharticcollaborations.com.au

Social media: @cathartic.collaborations

Teena Mogler

Balance Centre for Mental Health - https://www.balancecentreformentalhealth.com.au.

Social media: @balancecentreformentalhealth

Ready to enhance your listening experience and make the most of each episode? Become a paid subscriber and gain access to our specially tailored Episode Guides: https://divergentdialogues.substack.com/

What’s inside?

Clear, Concise Summaries: Easily revisit episode highlights to ensure you’ve got the essentials covered, all presented in a straightforward, digestible format.

Reflective Questions: Explore thought-provoking prompts that honour diverse thinking styles. Whether you prefer quiet contemplation or lively discussion, these questions invite you to delve deeper at your own pace.

Supportive Activities: Discover exercises and gentle strategies designed to foster learning, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing. Build on your unique strengths and nurture a sense of self-understanding.

By joining our community of paid subscribers, you’ll unlock practical tools to help you on your journey to understanding and embracing your neurodivergence.

In this episode, we dive into a conversation with Cammy Griffin, a passionate researcher and organiser of the upcoming Neurodivergent Minds Conference on the Sunshine Coast. Together, we explore the evolving field of neurodiversity-affirming practice, grounded in lived experience, evidence-based research, and a strong commitment to accessibility. Cammy shares insights from her PhD research on speech pathology practices that centre neurodivergent voices, the intersectionality within neurodivergent identities, and the importance of systemic shifts in healthcare and support systems. This episode champions humility, flexibility, and power-sharing in professional practice and highlights how professionals must be willing to adapt, learn, and listen. We’re thrilled to share that Caitlin and Teena will also be attending the Neurodivergent Minds Conference and Caitlin will be presenting!

Cammy is a neurodivergent paediatric speech pathologist on the Sunshine Coast. She is undertaking a PhD on Neurodiversity-Affirming Speech Pathology Practice and has a passion for supporting individuals of all neurotypes to achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives.

Find out more about Neurodivergent Minds Conference and Cammy here:

www.neurodivergentmindsconference.com.au https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergentmindsconfau/ https://www.instagram.com/letstalkneuropositivity/

For more information about our podcast hosts check out the links below:

Caitlin Hughes

Cathartic Collaborations - https://www.catharticcollaborations.com.au

Social media: @cathartic.collaborations

Teena Mogler

Balance Centre for Mental Health - https://www.balancecentreformentalhealth.com.au.

Social media: @balancecentreformentalhealth

Ready to enhance your listening experience and make the most of each episode? Become a paid subscriber and gain access to our specially tailored Episode Guides: https://divergentdialogues.substack.com/

What’s inside?

Clear, Concise Summaries: Easily revisit episode highlights to ensure you’ve got the essentials covered, all presented in a straightforward, digestible format.

Reflective Questions: Explore thought-provoking prompts that honour diverse thinking styles. Whether you prefer quiet contemplation or lively discussion, these questions invite you to delve deeper at your own pace.

Supportive Activities: Discover exercises and gentle strategies designed to foster learning, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing. Build on your unique strengths and nurture a sense of self-understanding.

By joining our community of paid subscribers, you’ll unlock practical tools to help you on your journey to understanding and embracing your neurodivergence.

⚠️ Content Warning

This podcast episode discusses domestic and sexual violence against autistic people. It includes references to abuse, trauma, and systemic harm. Please prioritise your wellbeing — feel free to pause, skip sections, or step away at any time.

In this deeply insightful episode of Divergent Dialogues, we sit down with Jessica Fox, an Autistic doctoral researcher, to explore the intersecting experiences of Autistic women, domestic violence, sexual violence and trauma. Together with Caitlin and Teena, Jessica unpacks the prevalence of interpersonal violence, the impact of systemic failures, and the barriers Autistic individuals face when navigating social expectations and accessing support. Drawing from both lived experience and academic research, the conversation moves through themes of social isolation, gender oppression, neuroaffirming practice, and the triple empathy problem. We also discuss the power of community, the importance of autistic representation in research, and the need to centre consent and mutual understanding in therapeutic and relational contexts.Whether you're a professional, lived experience advocate, or community member, this episode is an essential listen for anyone working toward justice, safety, and equity for Neurodivergent women.Topics Covered:High rates of domestic and sexual violence among Autistic womenSocial masking, boundary challenges, and consent complexitiesSystemic and structural risk factorsThe value of neuroaffirming and feminist approachesJess is an autistic doctoral researcher at the Queensland University of Technology and a strong advocate for the human rights and wellbeing of autistic people. Jess is particularly passionate about autistic-led research and community building. Jess is an interdisciplinary researcher who is currently studying autistic women’s experiences of interpersonal violence and trauma. Before undertaking her PhD, Jess worked with autistic young people in school settings. Jess is also passionate about her work in supporting autistic adults through peer mentoring and mutual aid networks.Links to Jess’s research touching on the topics discussed:Neuro-queering feminism: Creating space within feminism to address autistic experiences of gender oppression: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09593535241306532The Impact of Intersectional Disadvantage on Autistic Women's Experiences of Interpersonal Violence: A Narrative Review: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2023.0100 – feel free to get in touch with Jess at jessicafox.hdr@qut.edu.au if you need access to this.Dive Deeper Into Divergent Dialogues: Exclusive Episode Guide PDFs for Neurodivergent MindsReady to enhance your listening experience and make the most of each episode? Become a paid subscriber on Substack and gain access to our specially tailored Episode Guides: https://divergentdialogues.substack.com/What’s inside?Clear, Concise Summaries: Easily revisit episode highlights to ensure you’ve got the essentials covered, all presented in a straightforward, digestible format.Reflective Questions: Explore thought-provoking prompts that honour diverse thinking styles. Whether you prefer quiet contemplation or lively discussion, these questions invite you to delve deeper at your own pace.Supportive Activities: Discover exercises and gentle strategies designed to foster learning, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing. Build on your unique strengths and nurture a sense of self-understanding.By joining our community of paid subscribers on Substack, you’ll unlock practical tools to help you on your journey to understanding and embracing your neurodivergence.For more information about our podcast hosts check out the links below:Caitlin HughesCathartic Collaborationshttps://catharticcollaborations.com.au/Social media: @cathartic.collaborationsTeena MoglerBalance Centre for Mental Healthhttps://www.balancecentreformentalhealth.com.auSocial media: @balancecentreformentalhealth

In this episode, we (Caitlin and Teena) explore the importance of creating safe, collaborative spaces in therapy where neurodivergent clients feel truly seen and supported. We unpack common barriers people face when approaching therapy and share ways to prepare for a first session so it feels less daunting. Together, we highlight the power of client autonomy, the need for therapists to adapt with openness, and the value of mutual respect in the therapeutic process. In this episode, we cover:The importance of client comfort and preparation in therapyWhy a collaborative, flexible approach is keyRespecting client autonomy and lived experienceDive Deeper Into Divergent Dialogues: Exclusive Episode Guide PDFs for Neurodivergent MindsReady to enhance your listening experience and make the most of each episode? Become a paid subscriber on Substack and gain access to our specially tailored Episode Guides: https://divergentdialogues.substack.com/What’s inside?Clear, Concise Summaries: Easily revisit episode highlights to ensure you’ve got the essentials covered, all presented in a straightforward, digestible format.Reflective Questions: Explore thought-provoking prompts that honour diverse thinking styles. Whether you prefer quiet contemplation or lively discussion, these questions invite you to delve deeper at your own pace.Supportive Activities: Discover exercises and gentle strategies designed to foster learning, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing. Build on your unique strengths and nurture a sense of self-understanding.By joining our community of paid subscribers on Substack, you’ll unlock practical tools to help you on your journey to understanding and embracing your neurodivergence.For more information about our podcast hosts check out the links below:Caitlin HughesCathartic Collaborationshttps://catharticcollaborations.com.au/Social media: @cathartic.collaborationsTeena MoglerBalance Centre for Mental Healthhttps://www.balancecentreformentalhealth.com.auSocial media: @balancecentreformentalhealth

In this episode, we sit down with Marni Kammersell, to explore alternative education models and how they support neurodivergent children. From forest schools to unschooling and self-directed learning, we discuss the importance of flexibility, autonomy, and embracing diverse learning preferences.We also dive into the social benefits of gaming for neurodivergent individuals, reflecting on how video games can support regulation, connection, and skill development—when approached with balance and understanding. Finally, we explore parenting neurodivergent children, empowering autonomy and decision-making from an early age.Topics covered:Forest schools & nature-based learning – Pros & considerations for neurodivergent kidsGaming & neurodivergence – How it fosters social connection & emotional regulationHomeschooling & unschooling – Self-directed education and why it works for some neurodivergent learnersEmpowering autonomy – Encouraging independence and self-advocacy in neurodivergent childrenMarni Kammersell is a neurodivergent educator, consultant, and parent to three neurodivergent kids. She specializes in helping families create liberatory, neuro-affirming educational environments and is passionate about self-directed education, the neurodiversity paradigm, and non-coercive relationships. A doctoral student researching neurodivergence and self-directed learning, Marni has over 15 years of experience in alternative education, including homeschooling, unschooling, democratic schools, and forest schools.Learn more about Marni’s work here: https://wanderingbrightly.com/For more information about our podcast hosts check out the links below:Caitlin HughesCathartic Collaborationshttps://catharticcollaborations.com.au/Social media: @cathartic.collaborationsTeena MoglerBalance Centre for Mental Healthhttps://www.balancecentreformentalhealth.com.auSocial media: @balancecentreformentalhealthDive Deeper Into Divergent Dialogues: Exclusive Episode Guide PDFs for Neurodivergent MindsReady to enhance your listening experience and make the most of each episode? Become a paid subscriber on Substack and gain access to our specially tailored Episode Guides: https://divergentdialogues.substack.com/What’s inside?Clear, Concise Summaries: Easily revisit episode highlights to ensure you’ve got the essentials covered, all presented in a straightforward, digestible format.Reflective Questions: Explore thought-provoking prompts that honour diverse thinking styles. Whether you prefer quiet contemplation or lively discussion, these questions invite you to delve deeper at your own pace.Supportive Activities: Discover exercises and gentle strategies designed to foster learning, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing. Build on your unique strengths and nurture a sense of self-understanding.By joining our community of paid subscribers on Substack, you’ll unlock practical tools to help you on your journey to understanding and embracing your neurodivergence.