Neurodivergent Therapists in Poway, CA
I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, supporting clients through challenges such as trauma, anxiety, emotional regulation, life transitions, and interpersonal difficulties. I’m especially passionate about helping individuals and families build stronger connections and healthier patterns of communication.
I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, supporting clients through challenges such as trauma, anxiety, emotional regulation, life transitions, and interpersonal difficulties. I’m especially passionate about helping individuals and families build stronger connections and healthier patterns of communication.
I believe every person has a story. Our outward story, or the mask we wear, may look sunny, bright and full of life. It can include our job or career, our family, where we live, the hobbies we enjoy and so much more. What happens if we take the mask off and examine the story underneath? Is it full of cobwebs and stories you thought you left behind? Anxiety, depression, problems in relationships, trauma. What if the story behind the mask isn't so sunny and bright? If you are interested in healing what’s underneath the mask I am here to help.
I believe every person has a story. Our outward story, or the mask we wear, may look sunny, bright and full of life. It can include our job or career, our family, where we live, the hobbies we enjoy and so much more. What happens if we take the mask off and examine the story underneath? Is it full of cobwebs and stories you thought you left behind? Anxiety, depression, problems in relationships, trauma. What if the story behind the mask isn't so sunny and bright? If you are interested in healing what’s underneath the mask I am here to help.
Porn addiction can slowly wear down the trust in a relationship, leaving one partner feeling deeply hurt and inadequate, and the other trapped in guilt, secrecy, and broken promises no matter how hard they try to stop. With time, many couples notice increasing distance or even a sense of betrayal. If this feels familiar, you are not alone. What may start as ordinary screen time or scrolling social media can gradually shift into porn sites, cam sites, or OnlyFans and turn into a pattern that feels very hard to control, even for men who are highly disciplined in other areas of their lives.
Porn addiction can slowly wear down the trust in a relationship, leaving one partner feeling deeply hurt and inadequate, and the other trapped in guilt, secrecy, and broken promises no matter how hard they try to stop. With time, many couples notice increasing distance or even a sense of betrayal. If this feels familiar, you are not alone. What may start as ordinary screen time or scrolling social media can gradually shift into porn sites, cam sites, or OnlyFans and turn into a pattern that feels very hard to control, even for men who are highly disciplined in other areas of their lives.
Life can feel overwhelming with day to day stressors, and difficulties can be compounded when you are carrying the weight of past painful experiences. Whether you're navigating current challenges or processing deeper wounds, I offer a safe, supportive space to heal and grow. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and I specialize in trauma, anxiety, and depression. I find as awareness increases and coping skills improve, there is a decrease in anxiety and depression, and an overall improvement in life experiences.
Life can feel overwhelming with day to day stressors, and difficulties can be compounded when you are carrying the weight of past painful experiences. Whether you're navigating current challenges or processing deeper wounds, I offer a safe, supportive space to heal and grow. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and I specialize in trauma, anxiety, and depression. I find as awareness increases and coping skills improve, there is a decrease in anxiety and depression, and an overall improvement in life experiences.
You are only human. This means needing secure, safe attachments with others in order to thrive. You want freedom from anxiety, depression, or trauma. You’re experiencing conflicts in your most important relationships. These problems often block us from feeling confident or thinking clearly. You may be out of energy trying to these solve issues on your own. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I support individuals and relationships through solution-focused and strengths-based approaches.
You are only human. This means needing secure, safe attachments with others in order to thrive. You want freedom from anxiety, depression, or trauma. You’re experiencing conflicts in your most important relationships. These problems often block us from feeling confident or thinking clearly. You may be out of energy trying to these solve issues on your own. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I support individuals and relationships through solution-focused and strengths-based approaches.
Vivienne is especially passionate about helping individuals heal from trauma and grief. She understands the profound impact that these experiences can have across all stages of life, from adolescence to older adulthood. With a trauma-informed perspective, she provides a safe and supportive space for clients to process painful experiences, build healthy coping strategies, and reconnect with a sense of strength and purpose. Her work also extends to women’s issues, postpartum depression and anxiety, and life transitions, where she offers compassionate support during times of change and adjustment.Vivienne is especially passionate about
Vivienne is especially passionate about helping individuals heal from trauma and grief. She understands the profound impact that these experiences can have across all stages of life, from adolescence to older adulthood. With a trauma-informed perspective, she provides a safe and supportive space for clients to process painful experiences, build healthy coping strategies, and reconnect with a sense of strength and purpose. Her work also extends to women’s issues, postpartum depression and anxiety, and life transitions, where she offers compassionate support during times of change and adjustment.Vivienne is especially passionate about
I am a client-centered therapist who borrows from various treatment modalities depending on the client's needs. I meet you where you are in your journey as you are the expert on your life. My specialty is with mood issues, the LGBTQ+ population, and trauma, but I have a lot of experience with many other issues as well. It would be lovely to meet you!
I am a client-centered therapist who borrows from various treatment modalities depending on the client's needs. I meet you where you are in your journey as you are the expert on your life. My specialty is with mood issues, the LGBTQ+ population, and trauma, but I have a lot of experience with many other issues as well. It would be lovely to meet you!
Do you remember that children's song about going on a bear hunt? Can't go over it! Can't go under it! We've got to go through it! Life is full of situations that can leave us feeling much like this song. In working with individuals and families, including children (ages 4+) and adolescents, adults, and their caregivers, my hope is for you to find new solutions to the challenges you are facing every day. I may not be able to get you over it or under it, but I am here to help you through it.
Do you remember that children's song about going on a bear hunt? Can't go over it! Can't go under it! We've got to go through it! Life is full of situations that can leave us feeling much like this song. In working with individuals and families, including children (ages 4+) and adolescents, adults, and their caregivers, my hope is for you to find new solutions to the challenges you are facing every day. I may not be able to get you over it or under it, but I am here to help you through it.
My ideal client is someone who struggles with expressing themselves, someone who is frustrated about being misunderstood, someone who may not feel like they belong. I enjoy working with people who want to be accepted for who they are, who want to be more independent and who want to understand the world around them.
My ideal client is someone who struggles with expressing themselves, someone who is frustrated about being misunderstood, someone who may not feel like they belong. I enjoy working with people who want to be accepted for who they are, who want to be more independent and who want to understand the world around them.
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have been licensed for over 25 years and enjoy working with teens, children, individual adults, and families. I take a supportive, matter-of-fact approach to guide clients along a healthier path toward a more peace-filled life. I use an eclectic approach to treatment that includes mindfulness, psychoeducation, and CBT. I am trained as a cognitive behavioral therapist.
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have been licensed for over 25 years and enjoy working with teens, children, individual adults, and families. I take a supportive, matter-of-fact approach to guide clients along a healthier path toward a more peace-filled life. I use an eclectic approach to treatment that includes mindfulness, psychoeducation, and CBT. I am trained as a cognitive behavioral therapist.
Sandra Milstein-Ostrom
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
5 Endorsed
Online Only
Waitlist for new clients
Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just not yourself lately? Have you been this way for a while?
You’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep pretending everything’s fine when it isn’t. Maybe you’re weighed down by worry, whether it’s about your relationships, lack of purpose, finances, body image, or sleep. You might find yourself comparing your life to others, wondering why they seem to have it all together while you’re struggling just to get through the day.
If you’re tired of feeling tired, of carrying the weight alone, and feeling like you're stuck—it’s okay to ask for support. It's hard to go at it alone...you don't have to!
Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just not yourself lately? Have you been this way for a while?
You’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep pretending everything’s fine when it isn’t. Maybe you’re weighed down by worry, whether it’s about your relationships, lack of purpose, finances, body image, or sleep. You might find yourself comparing your life to others, wondering why they seem to have it all together while you’re struggling just to get through the day.
If you’re tired of feeling tired, of carrying the weight alone, and feeling like you're stuck—it’s okay to ask for support. It's hard to go at it alone...you don't have to!
Dr. Barnes ran a teen support group for five years in which she helped teens ages 13-18 cope with school and family stressors. She treats children as young as age 8 through seniors with a wide variety of mental health issues. Her specialties include depression, anxiety, adults with ADHD, chemical dependency, adjustment difficulties and interpersonal/relationship difficulties. Dr. Barnes primarily uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help patients adjust the way they are thinking and improve their perspective on themselves, others and the world around them.
Dr. Barnes ran a teen support group for five years in which she helped teens ages 13-18 cope with school and family stressors. She treats children as young as age 8 through seniors with a wide variety of mental health issues. Her specialties include depression, anxiety, adults with ADHD, chemical dependency, adjustment difficulties and interpersonal/relationship difficulties. Dr. Barnes primarily uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help patients adjust the way they are thinking and improve their perspective on themselves, others and the world around them.
Mayra Reyes, LCSW, helps children, teens, and adults across California build resilience, manage emotional challenges, and move toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. At LifeStance Health, she provides therapy tailored to each person’s unique experiences, offering support for concerns such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based care, creating a safe space where patients feel heard and empowered.Mayra Reyes, LCSW, helps children, teens, and adults across California build resilience, manage emotional challenges, and move toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. At
Mayra Reyes, LCSW, helps children, teens, and adults across California build resilience, manage emotional challenges, and move toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. At LifeStance Health, she provides therapy tailored to each person’s unique experiences, offering support for concerns such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based care, creating a safe space where patients feel heard and empowered.Mayra Reyes, LCSW, helps children, teens, and adults across California build resilience, manage emotional challenges, and move toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. At
You do not have to keep holding everything together by yourself. If you are someone who feels emotionally exhausted, easily overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns you do not fully understand, you are not alone, and you are not broken. I primarily work with adolescents, teens, and women who have experienced trauma and are ready to understand themselves with more compassion and clarity. When anxiety feels constant, emotions feel too big, or past experiences keep showing up in ways you did not expect, it can feel discouraging and isolating. Healing is possible, even if right now it feels hard to believe.
You do not have to keep holding everything together by yourself. If you are someone who feels emotionally exhausted, easily overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns you do not fully understand, you are not alone, and you are not broken. I primarily work with adolescents, teens, and women who have experienced trauma and are ready to understand themselves with more compassion and clarity. When anxiety feels constant, emotions feel too big, or past experiences keep showing up in ways you did not expect, it can feel discouraging and isolating. Healing is possible, even if right now it feels hard to believe.
Choosing a psychotherapist for yourself, your child, or marriage can be mind-boggling, especially when there are so many qualified professionals in the community! The search is not about finding a GOOD therapist, but rather one that best fits YOU.
Choosing a psychotherapist for yourself, your child, or marriage can be mind-boggling, especially when there are so many qualified professionals in the community! The search is not about finding a GOOD therapist, but rather one that best fits YOU.
I work well with highly sensitive, neurodivergent, or those experiencing anxiety, depression, complex trauma or attachment and relationship concerns.
I have a down-to-earth approach, expert training, and energetic gifts to help clients create a fuller picture of wellness. I help clients who want to move beyond symptom alleviation and stability and move toward fulfillment, varied creative expression, higher conscious awareness, and making a better world by being confidently themselves in it.
I work well with highly sensitive, neurodivergent, or those experiencing anxiety, depression, complex trauma or attachment and relationship concerns.
I have a down-to-earth approach, expert training, and energetic gifts to help clients create a fuller picture of wellness. I help clients who want to move beyond symptom alleviation and stability and move toward fulfillment, varied creative expression, higher conscious awareness, and making a better world by being confidently themselves in it.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or carrying something that feels too heavy to bear?
Maybe anxiety, past experiences, or relationship patterns keep showing up in ways that create distress. You might feel disconnected from yourself, caught in cycles of fear, shame, or self-doubt—and ready for transformation.
I work with adults experienci trauma, anxiety, and life transitions who are ready for deeper, lasting change. Together, we create a safe, grounded space to process your experiences, understand your patterns, and reconnect with yourself.
I also support clients navigating the emotional impact of stigma, shame and isolation.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or carrying something that feels too heavy to bear?
Maybe anxiety, past experiences, or relationship patterns keep showing up in ways that create distress. You might feel disconnected from yourself, caught in cycles of fear, shame, or self-doubt—and ready for transformation.
I work with adults experienci trauma, anxiety, and life transitions who are ready for deeper, lasting change. Together, we create a safe, grounded space to process your experiences, understand your patterns, and reconnect with yourself.
I also support clients navigating the emotional impact of stigma, shame and isolation.
Do you often think "My life is unfulfilling ", or hear that critical voice saying, “You will never be good enough." Do you feel unworthy and undeserving? "Thinking about “the times I messed up”, or of having made “wrong” decisions and choices, being tired of letting my emotions rule”. You have hope and dreams which seem beyond your reach…Many people feel lack of confidence in themselves that likely began when they were young, hurtful words or experiences which led to negative self-images, causing "imposter syndrome." Many people have experienced trauma that led to undiagnosed PTSD.
Call me to schedule.
Do you often think "My life is unfulfilling ", or hear that critical voice saying, “You will never be good enough." Do you feel unworthy and undeserving? "Thinking about “the times I messed up”, or of having made “wrong” decisions and choices, being tired of letting my emotions rule”. You have hope and dreams which seem beyond your reach…Many people feel lack of confidence in themselves that likely began when they were young, hurtful words or experiences which led to negative self-images, causing "imposter syndrome." Many people have experienced trauma that led to undiagnosed PTSD.
Call me to schedule.
When you look in the mirror, do you find yourself asking, “Am I enough?” Do you have this nagging suspicion that something is deeply wrong? Has it started to affect your relationships, your work, your overall sense of peace? It’s likely that you’ve had experiences that no matter what you do, you just can’t seem to forget. These experiences shape your reality, fuel your anxieties, leaving you on edge and burnt out. What would it feel to like to let go of the pain you’ve carried for so long? Imagine what life would be like if you had the emotional space and clarity to be the best you.
When you look in the mirror, do you find yourself asking, “Am I enough?” Do you have this nagging suspicion that something is deeply wrong? Has it started to affect your relationships, your work, your overall sense of peace? It’s likely that you’ve had experiences that no matter what you do, you just can’t seem to forget. These experiences shape your reality, fuel your anxieties, leaving you on edge and burnt out. What would it feel to like to let go of the pain you’ve carried for so long? Imagine what life would be like if you had the emotional space and clarity to be the best you.
I have worked in the area of mental health since 2004 in Hospice, intensive outpatient programing, school based mental health and integrative behavioral health. I have been practicing with Lifestance and its predicessors since 2015. My treatment modalities tend to be eclectic, however I often utilize mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral, Trauma Focus Care and Emotional Focus. I also use a variety of play therapy when seeing my younger clients. My areas of specialization are Anxiety and Depression, Trauma, Grief and Loss, ADHD and children and adolescents.
I have worked in the area of mental health since 2004 in Hospice, intensive outpatient programing, school based mental health and integrative behavioral health. I have been practicing with Lifestance and its predicessors since 2015. My treatment modalities tend to be eclectic, however I often utilize mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral, Trauma Focus Care and Emotional Focus. I also use a variety of play therapy when seeing my younger clients. My areas of specialization are Anxiety and Depression, Trauma, Grief and Loss, ADHD and children and adolescents.
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Nearby Neurodivergence Therapists Searches for Poway
- Cardiff
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- La Mesa
- Lakeside
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FAQ - Neurodivergent Counselling
What does neurodivergent mean?
Neurodivergent is a broad term used to describe people whose brains process, learn, or respond to information in ways that differ from what is considered “typical.” Neurodivergence can include autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, and other forms of neurological difference. The term comes from the idea of neurodiversity, which recognizes that differences in brain function are a natural part of human variation. Rather than viewing neurodivergence only through the lens of neurological disorders, this perspective acknowledges that neurodivergent people may experience both strengths and challenges. For example, a person may be very creative and intelligent, while also needing support with sensory sensitivity or learning differences.
What issues do neurodivergent people commonly bring to therapy?
Neurodivergent people often seek therapy for many of the same reasons as anyone else, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship concerns, or major life transitions. They may also want support with challenges specifically related to neurodivergence; for example, therapy may help with executive functioning, social communication, sensory sensitivity, school/learning stress, or the experience of feeling misunderstood in society. Therapists can also help individuals and families diagnose conditions, as well as distinguish regular challenges associated with childhood and/or adolescence from more enduring conditions. When needed, a therapist may also provide referrals to additional specialists, such as occupational therapists or psychiatrists who can prescribe psychiatric medication.
What therapeutic approaches work well for neurodivergent clients?
Therapy for neurodivergent clients is often most helpful when it is flexible and affirming. Rather than expecting every client to fit one standard model of therapy, neurodivergent-affirming therapists may adapt sessions to each person’s needs and therapy goals. Often, this includes visual aids, movement breaks, or other therapy supports. Common structured therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be useful for some neurodivergent clients, but the approach may need to be modified to avoid feeling overly rigid or focused on changing traits that are part of a person’s natural neurodivergence. Other approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based approaches, may also be helpful depending on the client’s needs.
Who is included in Psychology Today's directory of neurodivergent therapists?
Psychology Today’s directory of neurodivergent therapists includes professionals who self-identify as neurodivergent, as well as therapists who describe their work as neurodivergent-affirming or who specialize in areas such as ADHD, autism, learning differences, or sensory processing concerns. When reviewing a therapist’s profile, look at their bio, listed specialties, treatment approach, and experience working with neurodivergent clients. You may also want to consider whether they offer supports that matter to you, such as online therapy, accessible office space, or familiarity with specific concerns like anxiety, depression, or trauma.