Hello loving community,

This month we're focusing on community and laughter as pathways to healing.

We are in a time of overwhelming devastation, division and collective grief. I find myself in sessions with neurodivergent, disabled and queer clients noticing the impacts of increasing societal tension on our inner worlds. I hold immense gratitude for my clients in their healing work as well as deep sadness about how hard it has been for so many of us to heal, how much unlearning and shedding must occur in order to feel relief.

In my daily work, I hold both gratitude and devastation at once. I am in awe, and I am heartbroken. My care contains multitudes. While in session with clients, I appreciate (and try to highlight) glimmers of laughter and moments where we are connecting in the fullness of our humanity.

Last weekend, my wife and I were thrilled to see Alok V. Menon live for their comedy special, A Hairy Situation. This show highlighted for me the medicine in laughter, and in gathering with loving community. If you're near DC, Philadelphia, or Dallas, I highly recommend catching the last stops of their US tour.

Here's Alok sharing their magic: humor makes me want to live.

As a social worker through and through, resource sharing is part of my love language. I pride myself on exchanging resources, sharing attuned reflections and supportive exercises with the people I love and care for.

Moving forward, these Care Mail Newsletters will highlight relevant resources and clinical services. I encourage readers to take what resonates, share what works with your people, and leave the rest.

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHT:

​Guided Needs Assessment (7 min video)​

In today's newsletter, our featured resource will help you practice self-attunement by reflecting on your current needs. The guided exercise below will explore your needs within these categories: body needs, safety needs, individual needs, relational needs and spiritual needs.

Check out my second Youtube video below (!!) this one is an animated check in for when you're wanting to offer yourself a little care and attention:

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Notice how your experience shifts when you witness your needs without judgment and offer yourself nourishment.

If you're interested in establishing systems and practices to nurture your needs, consider this your invitation to reach out and begin your therapy journey. (I have 2 spots open for recurring clients & offer free consultations to discuss the fit!)

And to start your self-healing journey, check out my website's resource library to explore my favorite online resources, free tools, books, & more:

SERVICE HIGHLIGHT:

Neuroqueer Connections Group Therapy

My brilliant colleague Kim Konopka, LCSW and I have been co-facilitating a group called Neuroqueer Connections for the last 6 months and are delighted to watch as this little community continues to grow.

• Scheduling: This group meets bi-weekly on Wednesday evenings from 5:00-6:30pm ET / 4:00pm CT / 2:00pm PT
• Commitment & Cost: We offer drop in participation at a sliding scale between $75-$100 and returning member participation at a sliding scale between $55-$75.
• Pay What You Can for BIPOC Members: We offer limited pay what you can spots for neuroqueer members of color, starting at $5. We hold 50% of group spots for BIPOC members.
• We accept applicants from CA, FL, IL, NJ, and NY. Learn more and apply here.​

Affirming and accessible community the antidote! You can learn more about the Neuroqueer Connections offering here.

Neuroqueer Newsletter: If you are a Neurodivergent and Queer individual seeking affirming resources, all are welcome to subscribe to our Neuroqueer Newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any of what we share. Each newsletter shares points of discussion and highlights helpful books, podcasts, websites and tools that have supported our neuroqueer members or facilitators.

You are currently subscribed to my infrequently delivered Care Mail Newsetter, if you are seeking bi-weekly resource shares specific to the neuroqueer experience, please Subscribe to the Neuroqueer Newsletter.

Click here to read our most recent neuroqueer newsletter.

GET OUT THE VOTE!

Lastly, it is not too late to vote, and many states still have open voter registration! Make a plan to hit the ballots, and if you are looking for direction, check out Vote Save America.

As a trans therapist dedicated to liberatory models of care, I consider voting a harm reduction practice. I understand that voting is not how we achieve liberation, and appreciate YK Hong's reflection on the brilliance of long-term anti-oppressive strategy.

UPCOMING:

My next newsletter will share about psychedelic assisted therapy as I have recently finished my Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) training and have been integrating KAP into my practice. Stay tuned for more, and if you want a sneak peak here ya go!

That's all, folks! Feel free to reply directly if you have any questions about working together or would just like to say hi 🩵

In care & community,

Dani

Dani Sullivan, LCSW (they/them)

Licensed Therapist, Coach & Author

Founder and CEO, Intentions Therapy​