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Chantry Dorrell
About
Hello! My name is Chantry, like pantry, and I'm a clinical social worker licensed and living in California. My primary focuses in my clinical work are ADHD, autism, complex PTSD, and borderline personality disorder. I've found that often, after a diagnosis, people are feeling a certain way and/or wondering where to go from here. It's important to me to help people process feelings they may be having surrounding the diagnosis, while also working towards a more positive future. It's my goal to help people determine how to adapt their environments to fit their own unique needs, which can be difficult after a lifetime of masking and trying to fit into a neurotypical mold that was never made for us. It is important to me to give my clients space to talk - the session is focused solely on YOU, not on me, so that you have the time and space you need to fully express yourself. However, if you're not sure what to say or focus on, I'm skilled at gently asking questions designed to help clarify your needs and wants. I sincerely look forward to working with you!
Like many people interested in this particular niche, I have lived experience that turned into a hyperfixation. I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in my life and dedicated significant time to studying what these things are, how they show up in people's lives, and how to manage the symptoms that may be disruptive to one's quality of life including sensory difficulties, overwhelm, meltdowns/shutdowns, executive functioning, focus and concentration, time blindness, and physical and mental hyperactivity. I am passionate about exploring how your own symptoms show up in your life, and working towards skills and techniques to reduce any negative impact. In addition to the diagnoses mentioned above, I'm familiar with many of the conditions that are often co-morbid with autism/ADHD including POTS, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, LGBTQ+, and so much more, and as such want to assure you that we are going to view you as a complete and full human and work through anything you need to process feelings, understand yourself, and support you to the fullest.
My personal therapy style is more relaxed, more humanistic, utilizes warmth and humor, and comes from a place of unconditional positive regard. I'm not a therapist that is critical of my clients, or judgmental; rather, I'm very curious to learn more about people, and use this curiosity to help clients gain greater insight into themselves and their lived experiences. I'm a huge fan of partnership and collaboration with my clients to work together towards goals, providing psychoeducation to provide deeper understanding of diagnoses and symptoms, and helping people figure out the next steps. I pull from several modalities including DBT, CBT, and brainspotting to help with self-regulation skills, coping skills, anxiety reduction, reduction of trauma responses, anger, and communication. My personal belief is that if we try one skill or intervention and it doesn't work for you, that's okay! You haven't done anything wrong, we just need to find the right fit for you.
