New Neurodiversity-Affirming Mental Health Cooperative in Puyallup!
Have you ever felt misunderstood in a therapy session? Searched tirelessly for a mental health professional who truly gets your experience as an individual or neurodivergent or LGBTQIA+ family member? You are not alone. Far too often, finding genuinely affirming and effective mental health care can feel like searching in the dark for a needle in a haystack in a field full of potholes. The challenges of “traditional” approaches, which sometimes pathologize natural differences, can leave individuals feeling more isolated, or even harmed, than supported. Connect Counseling and Consulting is proud to unveil Divergent Minds Collective, a brand-new revolutionary neurodiversity-affirming mental health cooperative in Puyallup, Washington!
Dr Rachel has heard your stories, seen the gaps, and felt the urgent need for a more inclusive, affirming and collaborative approach. That’s why, after months of dedicated planning and passionate work, we are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking evolution in how we serve our community. This isn’t just an expansion; it’s a transformation, driven by our unwavering commitment to providing truly safe, affirming, and specialized care. We want to serve the community that we’re a part of make sure you have access to the care that you and your family deserve.
I. What is Divergent Minds Collective?
At its heart, this new cooperative is more than just a building; it’s a vibrant community, a shared space for healing, and a collaborative hub where diverse professionals come together under one unifying vision. Our core mission is to create a truly safe, affirming, and inclusive environment where every individual, particularly those within the neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ communities, can find the understanding and support they deserve.
This cooperative is built on the foundation of neurodiversity affirmation. For us, this means far more than just “acceptance.” It means celebrating the rich tapestry of human neurotypes as a valid and valuable form of human diversity. We reject the notion that neurodivergent brains (such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette’s, etc.) are inherently a deficit or disorder to be “fixed.”
Instead, we focus on understanding individual strengths, supporting unique ways of processing information, and adapting environments and therapeutic approaches to honor and uplift each person’s authentic self. We work hand in hand with our clients to identify how our ableist and heteronormative society is impacting them and making a plan for coping and adapting without making themselves smaller to fit the “norm.” This stands in stark contrast to traditional models that often seek to normalize or suppress neurodivergent traits.
To achieve this holistic and affirming approach, our cooperative will house a diverse range of allied health professionals, all operating with the same neurodiversity-affirming philosophy. Imagine a place where you can access:
Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapists and Counselors: Specialists who understand the nuances of autism, ADHD, learning differences, and complex trauma through a neuro-affirming lens, providing person-centered therapy that respects individual processing styles and communication preferences.
Dietitians/Nutritionists: Addressing the often-unique dietary needs, sensory sensitivities around food, or eating challenges that can be prevalent within the neurodivergent community.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and Prescribers: Mental health prescribers who are knowledgeable about neurodiversity and provide medication management with an affirming and individualized approach, understanding how different presentations may manifest.
Life, Executive Function, and Social Skills Coaches: Offering practical, goal-oriented support for neurodivergent individuals in areas like organization, time management, social navigation, and skill development, all within an affirming framework.
By working to bring these dedicated professionals under one roof, we are fostering a truly collaborative environment where integrated care plans can be developed, ensuring each client receives comprehensive support tailored to their unique needs and strengths. If you’re in one of these allied health fields and wanting to join our community, please reach out! We’d love to work with you.
II. Why a Cooperative? A Model Built on Shared Values and Vision
When we envisioned the next evolution of Connect Counseling and Consulting, we didn’t just want to create more space; we wanted to cultivate a fundamentally different environment. That’s why we deliberately chose a cooperative model. This structure is a powerful reflection of our deepest values: shared leadership, collective ownership, and a profound alignment between what our providers offer and what our clients truly need.
In a traditional practice, decisions can often be top-down, potentially creating a disconnect between the vision of leadership and the realities faced by practitioners and clients. Our cooperative, however, is designed to flatten that hierarchy. It’s a place where every allied health professional has a voice and a stake in how we operate, from the therapeutic approaches we embrace to the resources we offer. This shared leadership ensures that our services are constantly shaped by the lived experiences of those directly providing and receiving care.
By fostering this collaborative, provider-led environment, we inherently build a system that is responsive, adaptive, and deeply aligned with client well-being. The values of neurodiversity affirmation, inclusivity, and client-centered care aren’t just mission statements; they are woven into the very fabric of our operational decisions, because the providers themselves are empowered to uphold and advance them. This means a truly cohesive experience, where both providers and clients share in the mission of creating a safe, affirming, and highly effective mental health hub in Puyallup.
III. Our Home Base in Puyallup, Washington
We are so excited to announce that this new cooperative will be located in the heart of Puyallup, Washington, at 301 2nd Ave NE , #200. Our vision for this physical space goes beyond just offices; it’s designed to be a true haven, a sanctuary where clients immediately feel at ease and understood.
Imagine walking into a space that feels calm, inviting, and truly safe. We’ve designed the environment to be sensory-friendly, incorporating features like:
Gentle, diffused lighting, a smell-free environment, private spaces to step away in.
Our decor emphasizes natural elements and calming colors, creating an atmosphere that promotes relaxation and reduces overwhelm.
Beyond the physical attributes, our commitment to emotional safety is paramount. This will be a judgment-free zone where every identity is respected, and person-first language is the norm. We understand the importance of creating a space where individuals can be their authentic selves without fear of misunderstanding or discrimination.
We believe that providing this level of thoughtful care within our community will make a significant impact, offering a much-needed resource for individuals and families in Puyallup and the surrounding areas seeking truly specialized and affirming mental health services.
IV. Building the Next Generation of Affirming Practitioners: Our Internship Program
Beyond direct client care, we are deeply committed to shaping the future of mental health services with our neurodiversity-affirming mental health cooperative in Puyallup. That’s why we are thrilled to announce the launch of our specialized mental health internship program within the cooperative.
This program offers a unique and invaluable opportunity for aspiring mental health professionals. Interns will gain hands-on experience working directly with neurodivergent and LGBT communities, receiving specialized training that is often missing in traditional educational settings. A cornerstone of this program is the high-quality, ethical supervision provided by myself, Dr Rachel Hughes. As an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, I will personally oversee the clinical development of our interns, ensuring they receive comprehensive guidance rooted in best practices for affirming care.
I offer over 10 years of supervisory experience using a relational approach that helps interns build their unique theory of change. We work on developing your assessment, diagnosing skills, treatment planning, note taking, intervention building, and ethical and legal decision making model so that you can flourish in our field while providing your unique brand of affirming care.
Interns will have the chance to:
Learn cutting-edge neurodiversity-affirming practices from experienced professionals.
Develop skills in culturally competent care for the LGBT community.
Contribute directly to a groundbreaking, collaborative model of mental health support.
Work within a supportive and innovative environment that prioritizes client well-being and professional growth.
We believe this program will not only provide exceptional training but also foster a new generation of mental health providers equipped to truly meet the needs of diverse populations. We will be releasing details on how to apply for this internship program in the coming months. Please visit Divergent Minds Collective and our homepage for updates!
V. The Future of Connect Counseling and Consulting
This exciting new cooperative represents an evolution for Connect Counseling and Consulting, not a replacement. Our core values and dedication to exceptional care remain unwavering. In fact, this expansion allows us to amplify our impact and reach even more individuals in need. Connect Counseling and Consulting will now operate directly under the umbrella of this cooperative, allowing us to leverage shared resources and expand the range of specialized services available to our clients.
I will continue to provide leadership and oversight within the cooperative, ensuring that our commitment to high-quality, ethical, and profoundly affirming care remains at the forefront of everything we do. This move is about strengthening our ability to serve you better and to create a lasting, positive change in the mental health landscape of our community. We are incredibly excited about the possibilities this new chapter brings for our clients, our team, and the broader Puyallup and Greater Pierce County community.
VI. Conclusion – Our Neurodiversity-Affirming Mental Health Cooperative in Puyallup
This is just the beginning of an incredible journey! We invite you to join us as we build this revolutionary space.
Stay tuned for more updates! We’ll be sharing sneak peeks of the new location, introductions to our allied health professionals, and more exciting news in the coming weeks.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to get behind-the-scenes looks and real-time announcements!
Visit our website at divergentmindscollective.org for more details about the cooperative’s services and mission.
What are you most excited about regarding this new cooperative? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you!
With immense gratitude and excitement,
Dr Rachel Hughes