In therapy, it’s common to hear phrases like “let’s slow down for a moment” or “can we pause and stay with that feeling?” For some people, these invitations are helpful. Slowing down can make space for reflection and allow emotions to surface more clearly. But for many neurodiverse people, being asked to slow down in therapy can feel confusing, frustrating, or even slightly alienating.

“Trust the process.” It’s one of those phrases that gets said a lot in therapy spaces. It sounds wise. Reassuring. Almost spiritual. And sometimes, it can be helpful. A woman sitting on a couch, gesturing expressively while reading and discussing the contents of a large open book. But I won’t say it to you as a blanket statement. Not when you’re in the middle of something that feels confusing, painful, or uncertain. Because when you’re struggling, “trust the process” can land

There’s a particular kind of loneliness that comes with being the one who doesn’t quite fit - the person whose thoughts, feelings or life path don’t align with what everyone else seems to be doing. People sometimes call this being the black sheep of the family. It sounds poetic, like you’re a misunderstood character in a novel. But in real life, it often feels heavy, confusing and deeply familiar.