About the Soup
About Me and How I Survived the Soup
One Mom. Four Kids. Countless Diagnoses. Endless Strength.
If you had told me years ago that I’d one day have a blog about mental health, neurodivergence, DBT and how to navigate the soup that comes along with it, I would have laughed — or cried. Probably both. But I wouldn’t have believed you. I was too busy drowning in alphabet soup.
I’m a mom to four incredible human beings who all grew up navigating their own unique versions of the “alphabet soup” of mental health and neurodivergence: ADHD, OCD, BPD, ODD, GAD, and more. Some diagnoses came early. Some came later. A few were changed more than once. But the challenges were always real, often invisible, and constantly evolving.
Most days I felt like I was drowning. Drowning in acronyms, appointments, IEP meetings, therapist referrals, medication trials, and meltdowns that nobody outside our home could possibly understand. There were many nights I lay awake wondering if I was doing enough. Was I doing it right, or doing more damage?
What I Learned About the Soup
I learned that parenting neurodivergent kids is not about fixing them — it’s about understanding them.
I learned that the system often fails kids who don’t fit the mold — and their mothers too.
I learned how to advocate, how to listen, how to fight — and eventually, how to let go.
Most of all, I learned that love isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up, again and again, even when you’re tired, unsure, or misunderstood.
And I discovered Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT. And it was absolutely life-changing. Suddenly, I was no longer drowning in alphabet soup. I wasn’t swimming yet, but maybe treading. And sometimes even floating. All I knew is that something was different. I felt the tiniest bit of control, even hope. Things starting making sense.
Where We Are Now
Today, all four of my children are grown. They’re successful — not in a “perfect on paper” kind of way, but in the way that matters most. They know who they are. They’re thriving on the paths they have chosen to follow. They’ve turned their differences into strengths, and I couldn’t be prouder.
But the journey wasn’t easy. And that’s why I started this blog.
Swimming in Alphabet Soup is for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by diagnoses, labels, and neurodivergent life.
It’s for parents who are in the thick of it. It’s for adults still figuring it out. It’s for couples who want to do better for their partners. It’s for anyone who wants to understand mental health, neurodiversity, and DBT in real, useful, compassionate terms.
You don’t need to be perfect to swim through this soup. You just need to keep moving — even if it’s one breath, one tool, or one post at a time.
What You Will Find Here
- Breakdowns of common (and lesser-known) neurological and mental health conditions, translated into language that makes sense
- Real talk about what it feels like to live with them or raise someone with them
- DBT tools and skills that actually make a difference that you will feel and others will notice
- Stories, strategies, and small wins
- A space to float, not drown
The Problem with DBT
For many, DBT is untouchable. Since DBT therapists are highly specialized, many do not accept insurance. Some charge as much as $250-300 for a 45-minute individual session. Since group therapy is a big part of DBT, most require you to attend a group therapy session as well. These group sessions are an additional cost. Without insurance coverage, you’re looking at as much as $1600 a month out-of-pocket. Obviously, Swimming in Alphabet Soup cannot give you the same thing you would get from these individual and group sessions. What I can give you is the little snippets of DBT that helped me, my children, and my family the most.
DBT and Me (and You)
I do not pretend to be an expert in parenting or a licensed DBT therapist. What I bring to the table is real-life experience. I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and another in Allied Health. I have learned DBT in parenting classes aDBTnd in my own group and individual therapy sessions. Therefore, I will discuss what I know, what I am familiar with, and the areas where I have experience.
Learning DBT empowered me as a wife, sister, mother, and co-worker. It enabled me to connect with people in a different, healthier way in all areas of my life. My goal is to help you do the same. I also want to save you from some of the struggles I faced, and to teach you the lessons I learned along the way. So come learn about me and how I survived the soup. Hopefully you’ll pick up a life preserver or two while you are here!
