Neuro Affirming and Women’s Mental Health Treatment in Virginia
Neuro Affirming Care
Onward Growth is a Neuro Affirming practice in Virginia. We respect the way your brain processes the world around you. We don’t view Autism and ADHD as problems to be fixed, instead we view your unique perspective as beautiful!
The way you experience the world is not wrong – but it may be challenging. Our society was not built to accommodate neurodiverse brains, so sometimes we struggle. We can learn to cope with the way the world functions! Coping does not mean masking. Coping means having strategies to deal with overwhelm, boredom, and socialization (among other challenges!)
We partner together to find a treatment plan that works best for you by celebrating your strengths and recognizing your unique brain. Neuro affirming care means we focus on learning new coping skills while treating the symptoms that cannot be coped with – like impulsiveness, inattention, sleep disturbances, or any other number of symptoms that come along with neurodivergence.
Women’s Health
There is a distinct overlap between neurodivergence and women’s health issues. Neurodivergent women are more likely to develop food intolerances, GI disorders, autoimmune disorders, and have disorders like Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
Women are also more likely have a delayed diagnosis of both Autism and ADHD, because the traditional medical model is built around how boys present with these neurodevelopmental conditions.
At Onward, we specialize in both women’s health issues and neurodivergence because often times, if we have one, we have the other! Women deserve a provider who understands all these challenging facets of their lives.
Women seeking perinatal or postpartum support, who are interesting in either medication management or holistic use of supplements, are also welcome at Onward Growth!
Our Integrative Psychiatry Treatment Philosophy
Healing is holistic
We believe in treating the whole person. Our approach to integrative psychiatric treatment integrates psychological wellness, nutritional counseling, lifestyle counseling, bodywork, and medication management. If you are seeking medication to manage mental health symptoms, or wish to pursue medication-free solutions to your challenges, we can help you gain freedom from mental health burdens.
Empowering Accountability
Taking accountability is when real change begins. When we take responsibility for our patterns, behaviors, and reactions, we can understand them better and make a decision about what and how to change. We work with you to develop self-awareness, identify your values, and take ownership of your life.
Honoring Individuality
Some people respond very well to medications. Others respond to talk therapy. Oftentimes, we need to make lifestyle changes before we have relief from our symptoms. Other people may find healing in exploring complimentary medicine or alternative therapies. You may gain the most benefit from combining all those aspects of care. We honor your individual journey and support you in your unique healing process.
Neuro Affirming Care in Virginia
Your brain is beautiful! If you are seeking an ADHD or Autism evaluation for yourself or your child, we can help. We provide neuro affirming evaluations in Virginia. If you live in Virginia or are visiting the state for the purposes of an evaluation, we would love to support you.
Neuro Affirming Evaluations
You are not a problem to be solved or an error to be fixed. If you want a compassionate, informal, and positive experience, make an appointment.
High Masking Specialty
Tabitha specializes in evaluations for high masking people. If you’re concerned about being dismissed because of your masking, Tabitha can help.
Services We offer
Our philosophy is about whole-person care.
Medication Management
Integrative psychiatry doesn’t mean anti-medication — we can help you find the best medication regimen that helps you feel better without causing unnecessary side effects. We can also help you reduce your need for medication by using holistic methods that give you extra support.
Psychotherapy
We use methods derived from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solutions Therapy, and Psychodynamics. We start the therapy process by listening to you and hearing your story and then giving you concrete tools to help you understand yourself and free yourself from negative patterns.
Skill Building Groups
Tabitha facilitates small skills building groups throughout the year. The groups being offered change every few months. Groups focus on building specific skills and expanding understanding of certain diagnoses or behaviors. Most groups are small, with between 12 and 20 people, and focus on Neurodivergence. See the Groups page for more information!
Coaching
Tabitha offers coaching in addition to provider support. The best medication regimen in the world won’t help if your sleep, nutrition, or exercise habits aren’t serving your mental health. It’s hard to change habits, though, and Tabitha can help you take tiny steps forward that will create massive positive results. Tabitha also provides coaching specific to career development and ADHD management.
Intensives
Therapy intensives are a way to get to the root of something or go deeper than is possible in a 50-minute session. Intensives allow us to dive deep uninterrupted for multiple hours. They can accelerate progress and help you gain clarity about a complex problem or decision. Learn more about the intensives Tabitha offers here.
Herbal and Plant Based Medication
Prescription medications aren’t the only molecules that impact brain pathways involved with mood regulation. We can work with you to use nutritional supplementation and plant-based medicines to feel better.
Areas of Focus
We am able to treat conditions not mentioned below, but these are the primary areas of specialty at Onward. Please visit our providers individual pages to read more about their specialties.
Autism Evaluations
It can be validating and empowering to put a diagnosis to the feeling of being a little different. If you’re wondering if you have autism, I’m here to help.
Depression & Mood Disorders
I can help stabilize your mood, feel happier, and live a more fulfilling life free from the cloud of depression or bipolar spectrum illness.
ADHD/AuADHD
I can help you cope with the unique challenges and strengths that come with ADHD and AuADHD in order to live the life you desire.
Trauma & PTSD
I can help you process emotional trauma, face your fears, and increase your ability to experience joy and other positive emotions.
Women’s Issues
Whether you’re struggling with PMDD, perimenopause, or menopause, I can help you feel like yourself again.
Anxiety
I can help you worry less, reduce panic attacks and obsessive behaviors, and function better at your job and in your relationships.
Embrace Healing
Onward is a good fit for you if:
- You want genuine partnership in your treatment journey
- You desire more holistic care than traditional psychiatry can provide
- You value whole-person care
- You are committed to personal growth and healing with expert guidance
Onward may not be a good fit for you if:
- You seek prescriptions for daily benzodiazepines
- You expect disability or FMLA paperwork upon your first visit
- You are currently engaging in heavy substance use and are not prepared to address it
If you, or a loved one, is experiencing domestic violence and need support, you can start here.