In this episode of Clinically Awkward, I, Alyssa Zimmerman, AuDHD therapist, am joined by Dana Cea, a therapist from North Carolina, to explore the unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face around hair care and hygiene. Dana shares insights into their own neurodivergent identity, the impact of social expectations on appearance, and practical ways to make hair care routines more manageable. The conversation balances honesty and warmth as we talk through sensory sensitivities, societal pressures, and the often unspoken realities of personal hygiene, with an emphasis on self-accommodation and reducing shame. This episode offers compassionate, grounded strategies for neurodivergent folks navigating daily self-care.

00:00 Introduction to Clinically Awkward

00:33 Meet Dana Cea: Neurodivergent Therapist

04:42 Navigating Appearance Expectations

13:01 Curly Hair Chronicles

21:44 Hair Care Routines and Challenges

29:44 Professional Appearance Expecta tions

33:59 Hygiene Challenges and Neurodivergence

40:59 Simplifying Hygiene Routines

51:59 Self-Care Tips for Neurodivergent Individuals

In this episode of Clinically Awkward, I, Alyssa Zimmerman, your favorite stressy, messy AuDHD therapist, chat with Colette Bennett, a journalist, author, and Cohost of Colette and Matt Have Entered the Chat. Colette discusses how she turned her love for video games into a profession. She recounts her journey from geeking out over an Atari at age five to working in a high-speed newsroom. They laugh about ADHD mishaps, discuss the wild world of gaming journalism, why yelling 'get good' is the ultimate insult in gamer lingo, and her decision to ultimately leave the field. Colette offers sage (and hilarious) advice for young neurodivergent women diving into male-dominated spaces, reminding them it's totally okay to be the awkwardly brilliant queens they are.

Find Collette Here:

Colette and Matt Have Entered The Chat

00:00 Introduction and Special Interests

00:16 Guest Introduction: Colette Bennett

00:41 Colette's Diagnosis Journey

03:51 ADHD Treatment Experiences

06:18 Hyperfocus on Video Games

10:29 Challenges as a Woman in Gaming

20:30 Gaming as a Social Outlet for Neurodivergent Individuals

25:31 Navigating Online Communities

28:24 Masking and Competency in Gaming

33:54 Wholesome Gaming Communities

38:16 Gamergate and Its Impact

44:11 Advice for Neurodivergent Women

51:51 Where to Find More Content

In this bonus, supersized, and increasingly unhinged episode of Clinically Awkward, Rain Glynn and I discuss our current hyper-fixation, the Canadian “hockey” show Heated Rivalry. We dig into the show's character portrayals of neurodivergence, trauma, and interpersonal relationshiops. We dissect moments of clear autistic behavior, the show's handling of trauma and mental health, and the authentic representation of queer relationships. With plenty of humor, we also explore fan reactions, the importance of female characters, and the brilliant performances by the actors. Spoilers abound as we offer an enthusiastic, fan-girl driven therapist's breakdown of the show.

01:04: Introducing Heated Rivalry

02:50 Autism in Heated Rivalry

11:13: Trauma and Relationships

16:45 Fan Reactions and Adaptation Discussion

30:20: Hayden and Shane Friendship Dynamics

31:50 Unmasking and Evolving Communication

43:57 Shane's Coming Out and Family Dynamics

50:28:  Neurodivergent and POC Representation in Media

58:48 Final Thoughts and Future Hopes