The Open Umbrella
Welcome! The Open Umbrella is a queer mental health blog about gender, sexuality, LGBTQ+ issues, therapy, queer relationships, sex-positivity, kink, ethical nonmonogamy, neurodiversity, healing from trauma, intergenerational trauma, and all that related stuff that will come up!
Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy & Autism Acceptance
Advocates in the autistic community have shared the importance of shifting from awareness to acceptance; people are aware autism exists, but autistic people need to feel truly accepted in our society. I would argue that even acceptance is not enough, and there needs to be more meaningful, tangible, and consistent efforts from allistic (non-autistic) people to accommodate and value autistic people and our community.
What is the Neurodiversity Umbrella?
You may be hearing the terms “neurodiversity” or “neurodivergent” more recently. Many mistake neurodivergent to be synonymous with someone who is autistic or has ADHD, or both. However, neurodivergent and neurodiversity are concepts from the neurodiversity movement which are much larger than that.
Connecting the Drops
Healing Umbrella therapist Amy Eller LPC-MHSP reflects on how trauma reminders have become the “raindrops” connecting coping strategies, tools, and her own therapy approach.
How do you find an LGBTQ-affirming therapist who is actually affirming?
If you’re queer, you know how hard it is to find a safe and affirming therapist. If you’re wanting therapy because you’re exploring your gender identity or sexual orientation, you probably have run across a lot of therapists who identify as “LGBTQ-affirming,” but then you may have gone to see them and not felt seen or understood. Or worse, you may have been hurt by them.