Show Notes
In Episode 53 of Teens: No Cap, host Charity Chaffee sits down with therapist Alyssa Desroches to explore the intersection of neurodivergence, trauma, and EMDR therapy in teenagers. They dive deep into why "high-performing" and high-masking neurodivergent teens are often missed, the vital difference between oppositional behavior and nervous system overwhelm, and how compounded "small t" traumas impact a teen's daily life.
Alyssa shares her expertise as a virtual therapist across Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, specializing in neurodivergence, high performance, burnout, and complex trauma. Together, they explain why EMDR can be incredibly effective and fast-acting for teens compared to adults, and how teens uniquely build safety and resources in therapy—often centering around the powerful theme of "freedom".
In this episode, we cover: ✨Spotting Neurodivergence: How autism and ADHD frequently go under the radar in high-performing teens, often presenting as extreme exhaustion or emotional shutdown at the end of the day. ✨Behavior vs. Nervous System: How to differentiate between a teen making an oppositional choice and an involuntary nervous system reaction. ✨EMDR for Teens: Why EMDR often works faster for teenagers, taking advantage of their brain plasticity to build a healthy foundation before adulthood. ✨Creative Resourcing: How EMDR resourcing looks different for teens, shifting away from peaceful landscapes and focusing on objects, role models, or symbols of independence like a first car. ✨Care Collaboration: The importance of properly preparing parents for shifts in their teen's behavior during EMDR processing. ✨Provider Teamwork: How specialized therapists can effectively collaborate with a teen's primary talk therapist to tackle recurring behavioral themes and stuck points.
Follow Alyssa: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/alyssa-desroches-neurodivergent-burnout-newington-ct/1223593 Alyssa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedoftruthcounseling/ Website: https://seedoftruthcounseling.com/
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#teentherapy #Neurodivergence #EMDR #AutismInTeens #ADHD #TeensNoCap #CharityChaffee #MentalHealthPodcast #TraumaTherapy #ParentingTeens
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