Trauma Geek

• Are you a neurodivergent person who wants to more deeply understand yourself and our world?

• Are you a mental health professional, social worker, coach, somatic practitioner, or other helping professional who wants to create safe space for your neurodivergent clients?

• Do you like geeking out about neuro-affirming science and liberating social-political theory?

This is an updated and revised version of the Neurodiversity Paradigm study group. Beginning and ending with discussions on normativity, this group highlights what it means to live in a world where difference is othered. 

In the first 4 weeks, we’ll talk about the unique characteristics of neurodivergent nervous systems to understand both the challenges and strengths that come with being neurodivergent. We’ll also focus on holistic and collective healing, discussing how embracing divergence is just as important as healing trauma. 

In the last 4 weeks, we’ll shift our attention to the intersection of neurodivergence and disability. We’ll spend two sessions on practical strategies to prevent and manage neurodivergent burnout. Finally, we’ll wrap up by discussing the dilemna between fitting into neurotypical society and neuroqueering aka rejecting conformity and proudly embracing neurodivergent identities.

This is a space to explore ways that trauma is inherently connected to neurodivergent identity while also challenging mainstream ideas about mental health and celebrating diverse ways of Being. 

Although this is primarily an educational group, and not a processing group, past students in Janae's study groups have reported transformational experiences including more self-love, more gentleness with themselves, more understanding of their own bodies, more acceptance of their neurodivergence, and more connection to the neurodivergent community.