Mirroring the Playroom: Lived Experience in Therapy with Heather Fairlee Denbrough

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when therapists bring their authentic, neurodivergent selves into the playroom? Magic, according to Heather Fairley-Denbrough, a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist supervisor with 16 years of experience.Heather opens up about her relatively recent discovery of her own autism and ADHD, sharing how this self-knowledge has profoundly transformed her therapeutic relationships. Rather than maintaining the rigid professional boundaries many of us were taught in graduate school, Heather demonstrates how thoughtful self-disclosure creates deeper connections with clients - particularly neurodivergent children who desperately need to see examples of adults like them who are thriving.Through beautiful examples like watching "K-Pop Demon Hunters" at a client's request and creating shared language around it, Heather illustrates how authenticity becomes a powerful therapeutic tool. When she told a long-term client about her autism diagnosis, the child's face registered pure amazement, leading to a year of rich exploration about what neurodivergence meant for them both. These moments of connection go far beyond traditional rapport-building; they create true healing relationships.The conversation also tackles the persistent stigma around neurodivergence, even within mental health fields. All three podcast participants share experiences of being dismissed or misunderstood by colleagues or medical professionals because they were "high functioning" or successful. These stories highlight how much work remains to be done in normalizing neurodivergence and creating truly inclusive environments.Perhaps most powerful is Heather's reminder that "if I'm not being the most congruent version of me that I can be, then I'm not actually in the room with the child." This statement cuts to the heart of effective therapy - authentic presence isn't just helpful but essential. As her mentor Lisa Dion advised: "I don't want you to do it like me, I want you to do it like you."Has your own lived experience shaped your work with clients? We'd love to hear your stories of bringing your authentic self to therapeutic relationships. A Hero's Welcome Podcast  © Maria Laquerre-Diego & Liliana Baylon