Mental Health Panel 2: "Therapy in Translation: Exploring the Professional Identity of Autistic Marriage and Family Therapists Working with Neurodivergent Clients"
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Mental Health Panel 2: "Therapy in Translation: Exploring the Professional Identity of Autistic Marriage and Family Therapists Working with Neurodivergent Clients"
Misty Schmidt, LMFT, Schmidt Family Counseling, PLLC
Misty Schmidt, LMFT, PhD(c) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and PhD candidate at Texas Woman’s University, where her research centers neurodivergent relationships, autistic-ADHD identity development, and medical family therapy. She is the founder of Schmidt Family Counseling, a private practice that specializes in neuroaffirming care for individuals, partners, and families across the lifespan. Misty is a passionate educator and speaker, offering trainings on neurodivergence, clinical supervision, and relational ethics in both academic and professional settings. She has presented locally, statewide, and nationally on topics related to autistic communication, neurodivergent supervision, and supporting neurodivergent students and systems within schools. Misty’s dissertation explores how autistic and ADHD partners experience communication and connection in their committed relationships. As an AuDHD clinician and parent herself, she brings both lived experience and clinical insight to her work. Misty is committed to reshaping therapy, education, and supervision to be more inclusive, relational, and aligned with the neurodiversity paradigm.
Savannah Honarbakht, MS, Practice Owner & LMFT - Associate, Triple Moon Therapy
Savannah Honarbakht, LMFT-Associate (She/They) is the neuroqueer practice owner of Triple Moon Therapy and a PhD student at Texas Woman’s University. In private practice, Savannah specializes in working with LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent individuals navigating complex trauma, personality disorders, and high-conflict relationships. Their therapeutic approach is affirming, relational, and rooted in deep respect for clients' lived experiences. As a clinician-researcher, Savannah is passionate about exploring the intersections of identity, mental health, and systemic care. Their current research focuses include gender-affirming care for transgender youth, relationship satisfaction among same-sex and gender-fluid couples, and the dynamics of neurodivergence within intimate relationships. Savannah is committed to both advancing inclusive clinical practices and fostering healing spaces for marginalized communities.
Federico Mendez, LMFT, Texas Woman's University
Federico Mendez, a bilingual (Spanish/English) ADHD, Self-Diagnosed Autistic marriage and family therapist. He is currently pursuing his PhD at Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas in marriage and family therapy. His areas of research interest include chronic illness, Medical Family Therapy, Supervision, Latinx/e issues, neurodivergence, and LGBTQAI2S+ issues.