Marlon Minh Hoang

I am a gender-affirming therapist who provides neurodivergent affirming, trauma informed care to teens and adults ages 12+. My clients have unique types of neurodivergence including level 2 & 3 autism spectrum, intellectual development disorder, down syndrome, and fetal alcohol spectrum. My approach to therapy is rooted in the Neurodiversity Paradigm in which neurodivergence is seen as a natural variation of human neurology and its unique subset of outward and inner representations not a deficit to be cured. I believe that presuming competence means respecting human dignity and personal agencies including all modes and channels of communication, and bodily sensory and emotional preferences and presentations. Where all clients have a compassionate space of authentic self-expression. Where neurotypical expressions and behaviors are not the goal. Masking and compliance based behavioral interventions are not used and instead neurodivergent forms of self-expression and honest intentional authentic connection is prioritized. I believe that all affinitive neurodivergent styles deserve a place to organically arise and be honored. My overall therapy style is an experiential body-centered approach rooted in mindfulness and somatic therapy to help clients identify emotions, build confidence, and connection (i.e. choosing calming responses). Key strategies I use in sessions are a calming empathic presence, going slow, prioritizing safety, leading with curiosity, using clear language that clients understand, and allowing for extended processing times as needed. I also always start and end all sessions with grounding techniques to ensure emotional safety and help clients transition from our session back into their daily routine. . Supervised by Taya Miller LCSW # 70795