.webp)
Biography
Hello! I am Dr. Whaling, but you can call me Kelly. I am a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Utah and will soon be licensed in additional states. Additionally, I hold a valid PsyPact license which allows me to provide services to clients in 40+ states. I received my doctorate in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and completed a post-doctoral fellowship specializing in providing trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming psychological evaluations. Through my work in inpatient, outpatient, residential, and juvenile justice facilities, I have found a deep passion for working with autistic folks! I am excited to meet you and hear your story.
Education
PhD in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology from University of California, Santa Barbara; Masters in Clinical Psychology from California State University, Northridge
Certifications
Area of Expertise
Since 2013, I have been a clinician working with marginalized groups experiencing the aftermath of trauma, namely suicidality and self-harm. Because of the high rates of adversity that autistic people experience, this naturally led to me working with many autistic folks. Through this work, I realized my favorite experiences were bonding with those on the autism spectrum and supporting them in their self-advocacy journey.
My goal as a psychologist is to help people build a rich, meaningful, and beautiful life that is in line with their values. Authenticity and vulnerability are critical to this goal, and I believe that these traits are contagious. Aiding you in your own strengths-based self-discovery, my hope is that you are able to affirm and celebrate your unique self and empower others around you to do the same.
Modalities
Affiliations
Research and Publications
Autistic Burnout vs. Depression: How to Tell the Difference and When to Get Assessed
Profound exhaustion is impossible to ignore, even when you can’t even muster up the energy to take care of yourself. What’s even scarier is that sometimes, it’s equally impossible to figure out the root of this fatigue, because it’s a common symptom of both depression and autistic burnout.
If you’re currently navigating the confusing world of autistic burnout vs. depression — whether you just learned the term “autistic burnout” or are in the midst of self-reflection — you’re in the right place. Especially considering both conditions can co-occur.
After reading this article, you will have more clarity between autistic burnout and depression, know what to do if you think you have both conditions, and understand what a professional assessment involves.
Understanding the Window of Tolerance: A Guide to Nervous System Regulation
When autistic yoga therapist Elizabeth Walunas is inside her window of tolerance, she feels a sense of quiet in her gut. She can think and act in a goal-oriented way and handle stimulation sustainably. Walunas knows she’s left her window of tolerance when she gets “zingy and jumpy and twisty sensations of anxiety” in her stomach.
The window of tolerance varies from person to person, and everyone reacts differently outside of it. But the truth is, many of us spend a lot of time outside of our windows. This is especially true for neurodivergent adults, which is why cries of “calm down!” and “just relax!” don’t always land for our nervous systems.
By understanding the window of tolerance, we can learn how to better manage stress. In this article, we’ll explore what happens in our minds and bodies when we’re inside or outside our windows of tolerance, how to recognize when we’ve left our zones of tolerance, and what to do in both the short-term and long-term.
Autistic Inertia: Why Starting, Stopping, and Switching Tasks Feels So Hard
Consider the experiences below. Do any of them sound familiar to you?
- You know it’s time to get up for the day, but you’re unable to move
- You keep going on that work task even though you really need to use the bathroom
- You’re having a lot of trouble transitioning from a preferred activity to a necessary one (in my autistic daughter’s case, this usually means putting down the tablet to start her bedtime routine)
These examples only scratch the surface of a very real concept called autistic inertia. We know the definition of regular inertia is that an object will remain at rest or in motion unless acted upon by an outside force. Similarly, Autistic inertia describes how an autistic person will commonly keep going in the same state they’re in, and it takes a greater energetic effort to change states, activity, or mindset.
Chances are, the people around you, including yourself, have misunderstood autistic inertia, possibly dismissing this behavior as laziness or procrastination. But nothing could be further from the truth. Starting tasks, stopping tasks, and switching tasks are all classified under the umbrella of autistic inertia and deserve deeper examination.
After reading this article, you’ll have a better understanding of what autistic inertia is, why it occurs, and how to recognize your own patterns. You’ll also learn recommended support strategies for yourself or a neurodivergent loved one who has this experience.
