PF_Ep129_page

Episode 129: Mental Health Series – Neurodiversity w/ Joel Schwartz PsyD

September 13, 2021

Today’s guest is Dr. Joel Schwartz, a licensed clinical psychologist. Joel co-runs Total Spectrum Counseling with his wife, Brittany Boveé Schwartz, in the San Luis Obispo area of California. He specializes in therapy and testing for the misunderstood and demonstrates this through his unique practice: Total Spectrum Counseling is fully staffed by neurodivergent people with lived experiences of the diagnostic process. 

I met Joel in the way that I meet most people these days: online. We connected in a larger Facebook group of therapists. Through our various online interactions, we discovered that we were very like-minded. From there, Joel went on to start his own Facebook group, Neurodiversity Affirmative Therapists, where we’ve had some very deep and rich conversations as well. 

After continuing to connect, I knew I had to have Joel on the show to talk about neurodiversity. I’ve learned so much from him and I know you will too. Tune in to learn all about this very misunderstood topic of neurodiversity from Dr. Joel Schwartz.

Show Highlights:

  • What neurodiversity means.
  • How we define “normal” brain function.
  • How to recognize neurodiversity in your kids.
  • How Joel learned to accept his own neurodiversity.
  • Why the lived human experience should come before doctrines.
  • Gender stereotypes about neurodiversity.
  • What the double empathy problem is.
  • Why it’s so important for neurodivergent people to have neurodivergent therapists.
  • How to parent a neurodivergent child well.
  • How neurotypical people can make the world a better place for neurodivergent people.
  • How to parent well as a neurodivergent person.
  • How to embrace your natural coping methods if you’re neurodivergent and burnt out.

Links (affiliates included):

Joel Schwartz, PsyD – https://totalspectrumcounseling.com/joel.html

Dr. Joseph Lee – https://mentalhealthiness.com/?fbclid=IwAR0Xu4Qf6ip5c6r8lPODJbsKZw_xBcbBPyJEyNdBaBClkP-Zi02w7oaw1Wc

Parenting Forward Conference – https://www.parentingforwardconference.com

Join us at the Parenting Forward Patreon Team – https://www.patreon.com/cindywangbrandt

Parenting Forward, the Book – https://amzn.to/3g0LJPn 

PREORDER You Are Revolutionary – https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9781506478302/You-Are-Revolutionary