Therapy for first-generation, neurodivergent professional folks. 

New York * New Jersey * Florida * Vermont



You wonder if whatever you do is “good enough” for you to gain approval from others you care about and to “fit in” with those who are neurotypical.


You tried everything in your toolbox to make a lasting change but no matter what you do, it’s never good enough.

You end up feeling depressed and anxious as a result. Sometimes you don’t know how to feel because you don’t have the words to describe it.

You are not alone.

Like many of us, you’ve done everything in your power to navigate this world with a brave face as a first-generation and neurodivergent individual.

But…you’re so tired of wearing that mask. You’re so tired of pretending that “everything is fine”. You’re so tired of not having the motivation to do the things you need and want to do. Whenever you do reach out to others for support, your needs and concerns are often dismissed, causing you to feel as though you’re a “burden” to others. As a result, you end up keeping everything to yourself. To keep up a brave face, you “mask”.

To manage, you end up isolating yourself from people you care about. Whenever you’re alone, you doomscroll on your phone because you’re burnt out and don’t have the time or energy to function. You avoid everything and everyone because you’re overwhelmed.

Things that were once enjoyable are now no longer enjoyable. You dread waking up each day because of that “sense of doom” you experience the moment you get out of bed. You no longer have the ambition to do anything: Whether it’d be for work, school, or with family and friends. Instead, you’d rather stay home in the comfort of your bed because that’s where you feel the most safe in this world of chaos.

With everything you’ve been feeling as a first-generation, neurodivergent person, you wonder if things will get better. Or if you will get better.

Guess what…

There is hope.

As a result, you’re not able to be your authentic self. You have to mask to show others that “everything is fine” while you’re numb on the inside. A mask to show that you’re “normal”.

I’m happy to see you!

I’m Angela Rodriguez-Heller, a licensed mental health counselor and licensed professional counselor with a background in comedy and theater. My goal is to help people be themselves without needing to mask.