Heartstone Guidance Center

01/29/2026

I don't know about you all but I need this person to come to my house and say these things to me. Preferably every five minutes. Or maybe every three minutes.

01/13/2026

It’s not the child ‘refusing’ school - it might often be the school refusing to understand the child.

It was once called school refusal. Then it became emotionally-based school avoidance.

But both labels still put the weight on the child - as if they’re the problem to be fixed.

When really, most children aren’t 𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 education - they’re 𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 fear.

They’re 𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 panic.
Noise.
Separation.
The discomfort they feel when they are in school for whatever reason that might be.

The feeling of being misunderstood, yet expected to cope anyway.

And every time we frame it as a choice, we shift the focus away from where it belongs - on the environment that’s breaking them.

A child who can’t go to school isn’t being defiant - they’re communicating distress in the only way they can.

If a child is 𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 we need to ask the question what are they 𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜?!

This is a message that I hope will be shared far and wide, because there desperately needs to be a shift in understanding in schools before they start to support these learners in the way that they need.

And some schools might be making every adaption to do their very best, but EBSA is still there — which then begs the question, is this environment just not suitable for the child?

I have developed free resources that can also help with that and can be shared around your own professional networks.

Most people on this page have already signed up for our newsletter, which gives you free access to the library of guides on emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA), If you haven’t already, then drop the word 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐂𝐄 below to access the link too.

01/13/2026

**New on our blog 💛**

So many neurodivergent people are feeling overwhelmed right now and it’s not “just anxiety” or a lack of coping skills.

We’re living in a moment where **macro-level stressors** (job loss, AI disruption, climate instability, political hostility, and the persecution of people for their gender, sexuality, race, and disability) are **crushing mezzo-level supports** like workplaces, schools, and communities. When those buffers collapse, the pressure lands directly on the **micro level**—our nervous systems, relationships, families, finances, and sense of safety.

For neurodivergent people, whose nervous systems already work harder in an unpredictable world, this stacking of stress can lead to burnout, shutdown, fear, and despair. That response is not a personal failure it’s a rational reaction to an unsafe environment.

Our newest blog article breaks down stress at the **micro, mezzo, and macro levels**, explains why neurodivergent communities are being hit especially hard right now, and offers a compassionate roadmap for surviving when stress is coming from all directions at once.

You are not broken.
The systems are.

🖤 Read the full article on our blog.

By Heartstone Guidance CenterAt Heartstone Guidance Center, we often remind clients of something deeply important: distress does not exist in a vacuum. People do not experience stress solely because of individual weakness, poor coping skills, or personal failure. Stress is shaped—and often intensi...

01/12/2026

When “Support” Isn’t Actually Supportive: A Note from the Autistic Therapists at Heartstone**

By the Heartstone Guidance Center Team

We recently launched a new peer support group at Heartstone — one designed *by* autistic people *for* autistic people. As a team of neurodivergent therapists, almost all of us autistic ourselves, we believe in creating spaces that center authenticity, mutual respect, and lived experience.

We expected to connect with others seeking exactly that. What we didn’t expect? The vitriol.

Since announcing this group, we've received an onslaught of comments criticizing us for charging for our services — comments accusing us of being unethical, exploitative, even “evil” for asking disabled people to pay for peer support.

Let me be honest: we’re tired. We’re tired of the assumption that autistic people can’t be professionals. That disabled people don't work or contribute to society in other meaningful ways. Like all other groups, some autistics work, some of us can't. But if you assume we are all unemployed, you are ableist. Full stop. We want the world to see autism for what it is, a spectrum.

We are also tired of the idea that we should give our time, energy, and expertise away for free while somehow still surviving. And we’re tired of the stereotype that all autistic people are poor, dependent, and incapable of participating in the world. I say this with all respect and love to my autistic friends and family members who can't work in this ableist and unaccommodating world. You have so much worth and so much value whether you work for capitalist dollars or not, some of you are so burnt out. We see you, we understand. Some of us have been there.

Heartstone is an all-autistic, neurodiversity-affirming practice. We *are* the community we serve. And here’s the truth: our lived experiences don’t disqualify us from earning a living — they make us better at what we do.

Let’s talk about that $30 support group.

That fee isn’t about profit. It helps pay our facilitators (who are autistic, trained, and qualified). It helps us cover admin costs, scheduling, communications, and the time and labor that go into holding intentional, trauma-informed space. It’s a model that respects *everyone’s* needs — including the people doing the work.

Also, yes: we absolutely recognize that not everyone can afford even a small fee. That’s why we *already* partner with organizations offering **free** peer groups. We refer folks there regularly. We are not gatekeeping support — we are *building* more of it.

This is what real accessibility looks like: a *range* of options. Not the demand that autistic people offering peer support do it for free or not at all.

What hurts most is that this outrage is being directed at us — other autistic people. The idea that because we’re disabled, we should “know better” than to charge for our labor is not solidarity. It’s exploitation dressed up as virtue.

To our community: if you’ve ever felt unseen, underestimated, or boxed in by assumptions — we get it. We’re right there with you. We’re working every day to carve out something better. And we hope you’ll stand with us in doing that.

Autistic people deserve meaningful work. We deserve to be paid for our contributions. We deserve options for support — free *and* paid. We deserve dignity. Full stop.

To everyone who’s shown us support: thank you. To those who are struggling and just needed somewhere to direct their pain — we hope you get the support you need. Truly.

But to the ones trying to tear down other autistic people for daring to value our work?

No. Not today.

*Heartstone Guidance Center*
Therapy *by* neurodivergent people, *for* neurodivergent people.

01/06/2026

POST CORRECTION - DATE CHANGE
💜 Autistic Adults Peer Support with Katie Oswald 💜
A supportive, welcoming space created by and for Autistic adults. 💬✨
Join a fully virtual, participant-led group where you can share your experiences, celebrate your wins, and connect with others who truly get it. Whether you have a diagnosis or not — you’re welcome here. 💖
Diagnosis not required.
🌟 What to Expect:
✔️ Safe, non-judgmental community
✔️ Max 12 people for meaningful connection
✔️ Led by lived experience
✔️ Accessibility accommodations available
✔️ Caregivers can attend in a support role (non-participating)
🗓️ Choose Your Group:
Wednesday Evenings | Starts Jan 14th | 6:00 PM EST
Tuesday Afternoons | Starts Jan 13th | 2:00 PM EST
💵 $30 per session
(Sliding scale options available – we want this to be accessible!)
Let’s build connection, community, and understanding — together. 💫
🔗 Message us or visit our website to learn more and register!

01/02/2026

💜 Autistic Adults Peer Support with Katie Oswald 💜
A supportive, welcoming space created by and for Autistic adults. 💬✨

Join a fully virtual, participant-led group where you can share your experiences, celebrate your wins, and connect with others who truly get it. Whether you have a diagnosis or not — you’re welcome here. 💖
Diagnosis not required.

🌟 What to Expect:
✔️ Safe, non-judgmental community
✔️ Max 12 people for meaningful connection
✔️ Led by lived experience
✔️ Accessibility accommodations available
✔️ Caregivers can attend in a support role (non-participating)

🗓️ Choose Your Group:
Monday Evenings | Starts Jan 12 | 6:00 PM EST
Tuesday Afternoons | Starts Jan 13 | 2:00 PM EST

💵 $30 per session
(Sliding scale options available – we want this to be accessible!)

Let’s build connection, community, and understanding — together. 💫

🔗 Message us or visit our website to learn more and register!

01/02/2026

🌈🧠 New Support Group Launch: Dual Spectrums 🧠🌈
For Autistic Trans & Q***r Adults

Are you navigating life at the intersection of being autistic, transgender, and/or q***r? You are not alone.
Heartstone Guidance Center is proud to introduce “Dual Spectrums,” a virtual therapy group by and for neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ adults. 💛💜

✨ This group is for you if you:
✅ Identify as Autistic and LGBTQIA+ (self-diagnosis welcome!)
✅ Want to connect with others who understand life on both spectrums
✅ Are seeking a supportive space for community, validation, and mental health care

💬 Led by the incredible Dorian Deline, LLMSW, we’ll explore neurodivergence, identity, self-acceptance, and more — all in a space where you are seen, valued, and celebrated.

📅 Fridays | 1:00–2:30 PM (ET)
💻 Virtual via SimplePractice
💰 Insurance or $30 per session | Sliding scale available

📧 To join: Email tammy@heartstoneguidancecenter.com
with the subject line “Dual Spectrums Group.”

Let’s build something beautiful, together. 💖
***rAndAutistic LGBTQTherapy NeurodiversityAffirming Q***rSupportGroup AutisticPride TherapyForAll RadicalAcceptance InclusiveMentalHealth VirtualSupportGroup YouBelongHere SelfDiagnosisIsValid

01/01/2026

🌈🧠 New Support Group Launch: Dual Spectrums 🧠🌈
For Autistic Trans & Q***r Adults

Are you navigating life at the intersection of being autistic, transgender, and/or q***r? You are not alone.
Heartstone Guidance Center is proud to introduce “Dual Spectrums,” a virtual therapy group by and for neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ adults. 💛💜

✨ This group is for you if you:
✅ Identify as Autistic and LGBTQIA+ (self-diagnosis welcome!)
✅ Want to connect with others who understand life on both spectrums
✅ Are seeking a supportive space for community, validation, and mental health care

💬 Led by the incredible Dorian Deline, LLMSW, we’ll explore neurodivergence, identity, self-acceptance, and more — all in a space where you are seen, valued, and celebrated.

📅 Fridays | 1:00–2:30 PM (ET)
💻 Virtual via SimplePractice
💰 Insurance or $30 per session | Sliding scale available

📧 To join: Email tammy@heartstoneguidancecenter.com
with the subject line “Dual Spectrums Group.”

Let’s build something beautiful, together. 💖
***rAndAutistic ***rSupportGroup

01/01/2026

🧠🌈 Here’s to a Radiant 2026 Celebrating Every Mind, Every Identity 🌈🧠

At Heartstone Guidance Center, we believe that neurodiversity is a strength not something to be “cured” or “fixed,” but something to be celebrated.

As we step into 2026, our mission is rooted in love, inclusivity, and empowerment:

🌈 We celebrate all types of neurodivergent minds.
💖 We stand with and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community always.
🥰 We foster safe, compassionate spaces where every identity and experience is honored.

You are not broken. You are not too much. You are seen, valued, and worthy just as you are.

Here’s to a year of deep healing, standing strong together, building community, and radical acceptance.
Let’s build a world where all voices are heard, and every human feels like they belong.

Happy 2026 from all of us at Heartstone. We’re with you, every step of the way.




+Fam InclusiveHealing MentalHealthMatters YouBelongHere RadicalAcceptance TherapyForAll Q***rMentalHealth NeurodivergentVoices CompassionIsPower

01/01/2026

🧠🌈 Here’s to a Radiant 2026 Celebrating Every Mind, Every Identity 🌈🧠

At Heartstone Guidance Center, we believe that neurodiversity is a strength not something to be “cured” or fixed,” but something to be celebrated.

As we step into 2026, our mission is rooted in love, inclusivity, and empowerment:

🌈 We celebrate all types of neurodivergent minds.
💖 We stand with and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community always.
🥰 We foster safe, compassionate spaces where every identity and experience is honored.

You are not broken. You are not too much. You are seen, valued, and worthy just as you are.

Here’s to a year of deep healing, standing strong together, building community, and radical acceptance.
Let’s build a world where all voices are heard, and every human feels like they belong.

Happy 2026 from all of us at Heartstone. We’re with you, every step of the way.




+Fam ***rMentalHealth

12/30/2025

12/24/2025

https://www.heartstoneguidancecenter.com/post/holiday-scripts-for-when-your-nervous-system-is-overwhelmed Last Minute Holiday Survival Strategies for Neurodivergents!

Neurodiversity-affirming Scripts from Heartstone Guidance CenterThe holidays are often framed as joyful and connective. For many people, they are also loud, unpredictable, emotionally charged, and deeply dysregulating. If you are neurodivergent: autistic, ADHD, living with PTSD, anxiety, or some com...