spirit holler philosophy
what guides my work
simple speak
honest presence
discernment
deep noticing
respect
gentle strength
humor
human connection
simple speak and honest presence
I believe clarity is a form of care. In my work, that means communicating directly and respectfully, without unnecessary jargon or clinical performance. I aim to say what I mean, explain things in ways that make sense, and avoid language that leaves people guessing or decoding.
For many neurodivergent folks, this kind of communication brings relief. There’s less confusion, less second-guessing, and more space to focus on understanding what’s actually happening.
discernment and deep noticing
Discernment, to me, is about attunement rather than assumption. That means listening not only to what someone says, but also to how their experiences fit together over time.
As humans we don't present in tidy or textbook ways, and important information often lives between the lines.
By slowing down and paying attention carefully, I aim to understand the whole picture. That steadiness creates space for clarity to emerge naturally, instead of being forced.
respect for lived experience
Lived experience matters. People’s histories, environments, and ways of adapting to the world carry real meaning, and that context deserves to be honored rather than flattened into categories. My work starts from the assumption that people make sense within the circumstances they’ve lived.
When people feel that their story is taken seriously, assessment becomes less about proving or performing and more about understanding. That respect creates space for clarity, relief, and language that actually fits the life someone has lived.
humor and lightness
I believe humor can be a regulating force when it’s used thoughtfully. A well-timed moment of lightness can release tension and soften self-judgment. This isn’t about minimizing seriousness, it’s about recognizing when levity helps the nervous system settle.
In my work, humor is never at someone’s expense and never used to deflect. It shows up as gentle wit, shared recognition, or a bit of dry sarcasm when it fits the moment.
gentle strength
Gentle strength is the balance I aim to hold throughout this work. It’s the ability to be steady without being rigid, kind without being vague, and honest without being harsh. This approach allows people to feel supported while still trusting that the process is grounded and intentional.
human connection
At the heart of this work is relationship. People deserve to be met as whole humans, not as case files or collections of traits. I approach assessment as a shared process that unfolds through conversation and mutual respect.
Human connection means taking people seriously without being overly formal, and offering care that feels relational rather than distant. When connection is prioritized, assessments feel less like evaluations and more like moments of understanding.
why spirit holler
A holler is a small valley tucked into the Appalachian mountains. It’s a place where sound carries, people pay attention to one another, and community matters. In a holler, you learn to listen closely, not just because voices echo, but because relationships do. People notice when someone’s struggling, when someone’s missing, when something’s changed.
The word spirit speaks both to the spirit of the holler, the collective presence, resilience, and care that lives there. It also speak to a quieter, guiding sense of spirit that shapes how I move through the world. While my work is firmly grounded in clinical practice, it is also guided by intuition, integrity, and a deep respect for the unseen currents that influence how people make meaning of their lives.