Diana Houghton 10/31/25 Diana Houghton 10/31/25

When Attunement Fails: The Child Who Becomes the Container

For many children, especially those with neurodivergent sensitivities or caregivers burdened by their own unprocessed trauma, the parent’s inability to attune becomes a chronic rupture.

Diana Houghton 10/29/25 Diana Houghton 10/29/25

Parental Rupture and Repair: An Object Relations Guide to Somatic Attunement with Children

Attunement is less about perfect connection and more about the courageous practice of returning to it after a rupture.

Diana Houghton 10/13/25 Diana Houghton 10/13/25

How Fawning Can Erode the Neurodivergent Self

When neurodivergent individuals are consistently labeled as "too sensitive" or "overreactive," they often learn to cope by fawning, a self-abandoning strategy that trades authenticity for perceived safety.

Diana Houghton 9/15/25 Diana Houghton 9/15/25

Using Bilateral Stimulation to Build Resilience

This blog post explores a powerful somatic technique combining bilateral stimulation, positive messaging, and mental rehearsal to proactively prepare for stressful events. Learn how to build resilience and anchor a state of calm confidence before you need it most.

Diana Houghton 8/8/25 Diana Houghton 8/8/25

Understanding Sensory Issues in Neurodivergent Individuals and Pathways to Accommodation

Neurodivergent individuals often face sensory processing challenges that impact daily life. Therapists can help identify these needs and advocate for accommodations to foster inclusivity and well-being.

Diana Houghton 7/27/25 Diana Houghton 7/27/25

Navigating Neurodivergent Challenges with Routine Disruptions: A Compassionate Approach

For neurodivergent individuals, routine disruptions can be deeply dysregulating.

Diana Houghton 7/21/25 Diana Houghton 7/21/25

Repetitive Behavior in Neurodivergent People

Repetitive behaviors in neurodivergent individuals serve as vital tools for anxiety management but can also create challenges when rigidity limits adaptability.

Diana Houghton 7/4/25 Diana Houghton 7/4/25

Theory of Mind Challenges in Neurodivergent Relationships

Neurodivergent individuals may experience challenges with theory of mind, leading to misunderstandings in relationships.

Diana Houghton 6/11/25 Diana Houghton 6/11/25

Understanding Autistic Shutdowns

Autistic shutdowns are a protective neurological response to overwhelm and are often misunderstood as disengagement.

Diana Houghton 6/3/25 Diana Houghton 6/3/25

Autistic Burnout and Relationships: Some Helpful Exercises

Autistic burnout can strain relationships, but somatic and mindful exercises like synchronized breathing or vocal toning can foster connection and co-regulation between partners.

Diana Houghton 5/28/25 Diana Houghton 5/28/25

Avoidance: From Adaptive Disengagement to Maladaptive Withdrawal

Avoidance can be a temporary refuge or a prolonged prison. Understanding its impact on the body is the first step toward transforming it into a tool for healing rather than a barrier to growth.

Diana Houghton 5/27/25 Diana Houghton 5/27/25

What is Urge Surfing?

Urge surfing is a mindfulness technique that teaches individuals to observe cravings without acting on them, fostering somatic awareness and emotional resilience

Diana Houghton 5/26/25 Diana Houghton 5/26/25

Uneven Capabilities in the Neurodivergent Population

Neurodivergent individuals often exhibit remarkable strengths alongside unique challenges, reflecting the variability of their neurology

Diana Houghton 5/20/25 Diana Houghton 5/20/25

Communication Trauma, CPTSD and the Neurodivergent Nervous System

Communication trauma leaves deep scars in neurodivergent individuals, shaping both mind and body. This article explores how repeated misunderstandings fuel CPTSD and somatic distress through a nervous system lens.