12/10/2025
Much of the distress with executive dysfunction is related to what is going on with the brain-body connection and mind-body connection.
While neurodiversity itself can have a range of implications from positive to challenges (especially the more distress factors exist)... having a whole person and "in context" view can be most supportive for this.
For those who are new the page or missed my announcement previously, I started my Mental Health Therapy practice earlier this year, while continuing coaching (integrative, neuro-connection and subconscious/below surface level focuses) especially with people experiencing chronic pain, illness, disability, ongoing impacts of trauma, pregnancy, and treatment resistant mental health/illness conditions.
And for anyone else, going deeper still. Sometimes we don't know what is possible until we have experienced it, and that includes myself with actually feeling "good" in my body and more ability to be present and resource.
I am licensed in Social Work in Texas and Washington states, but I just practice remotely to WA with a group, under supervision, and I provide remote coaching services GLOBALLY :)
Consultation and events too. I am likely starting working with a local substance use treatment center, focused on supporting Veterans and First Responders, collaborating for adaptive yoga. They focus on yin and accessibility, and I bring in my experience and training in NeuroSomatic Yoga & Bodywork and Somatic Therapy/Therapeutics.
In coaching and yoga, I cannot call the supports "therapy", "healthcare", "treatment", and I cannot diagnose. However, I'm a whole person and my trainings and experience do allow me to provide education focused on the integration of Neuro-Physiological-Emotional-Mindful concepts and supports, and to support in them therapeutically with somatic approaches. My neuro-connection supports go beyond your typical PolyVagal and other somatic supports as well, though they are related.
The following is something I sent as part of networking with my group, which is present in multiple states, even expanding to my own recently, but I am focusing on the other while working on full, independent licensure due to differences in process and supervision options.
This was for an elder experiencing challenges with ADHD:
1) I do supports beyond somatic and typical PolyVagal exercises. But 1:1 with someone who does Sensory or Primitive Reflex Integration and water aerobics can help (swimming if able, but some need to start with just walking a little in it and getting stronger otherwise).
Movement through the day, even if a little at a time. Breathing practices, even if just intentional and through the nose when possible but gentle— sometimes there’s guarding around deep breathing— so building the connection to the body in other ways can help build that capacity in and help get it automatic.
This improves motor function/processing in the body and the mind and brain. One tends to follow the other in the trajectory it’s going, so intentional support is important at all ages. These are neurodevelopmental supports.
The Symphony of Reflexes book also has a protocol covering 16 of the reflexes— but would add breathing, just 1 per day for her age, and adapt to less time if sensitive (and gentle). It also includes instructions to adapt the rhythmic movements (ie don’t do full ones like downward dog or anything that requires use of muscles that someone has not built up already). These can be modified or even just lay there and imagine feeling what it would feel to go through the motions in those cases.
It can help to repeat the process in a few months, a couple of times each, and be active in between, to help with supports here. It helps with neuro-connection, coordination, regulation, posture, calm, processing, and more. It helps with the experience of safety within.
2) Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is something I integrate in with clients as well as they do neuro-connection supports. It helps with safety in sensory input with others and the environment.
3) A workbook I picked up recently focused on DBT skills is Executive Function Rescue for Adults with ADHD, and it includes a free digital toolkit (at least when purchased new). The way the book is organized and presented can help with processing the info, to a degree, and it has the workbook aspect built in.
I’ve found that clients who have challenges implementing tools involving cognition can make more progress when they are supported in the ways that address more of the root causes of the challenges and support in their processing. With ADHD I find those to be these connections!
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In the comments includes my follow up.
The original provider inquiring noted appreciating the "deep dive"! And not in a snarky way.
I love working with other providers who really want to do what we can in walking with our clients! While we will always come across providers personally and professionally who are more focused on staying the same and being defensive, I've definitely seen more proportionate to curious and open to learning! And referring out more readily when needed.
Again, more in the comments, especially about Primitive Reflex Integration for supporting in neurodevelopmental ways. We can also support the integration of mind and access to our emotive body (a view in yoga, which is focused on the integration of self and the whole of who we are as humans, including consciousness-- something Jesus spoke of about wholeness, oneness, and I believe a big part of being "reborn" or "we must go back in/within" to re-emerge different, not just a prayer, and likely not a one time experience, but an ongoing process of transformation). I find this helpful with my own background and as I seek to make sense of it and needs for healing while existing in this world.
I seek to focus on the possibilities in each of us, and together-- and how that creates paths we may not have seen or imagined. It helps us activate and engage in hope.
I am here to support in this as well, walking with you in your journey, however that looks.
Sometimes it helps to step back so we can see more of the big picture and see how we can engage, even if it's different than we had in the past. This can help us see where others are coming from better too, and to have those new experiences, which all shape our sense of safety within and beyond.
Re-parenting with attachment work, especially somatically, with parts work can also be an important part of our "becoming new".. that transformation. Those developmental supports.
Growing up, faith as it was, was helpful for this in some ways, but at some point, as part of our "pilgrimages", whether we go somewhere or just our internal journey-- we can still have gaps for our well being. Sometimes we can be stuck in certain stages, ones that are more conducive for fitting in and keeping systems as they are-- which isn't always in the interest of spiritual or whole person development, including what Jesus pointed to.
If you've been discontent, or even disillusioned or not sure what you're sensing, but there is something... reach out today and we can explore. I'm not here to tell anyone what to think or believe, but to walk with you in a sacred space to attune and explore as part of your healing journey.
