Dr. Emily WH

05/22/2026

Really enjoyed the NeuroAffirmX conference last week, and continuing to feel genuinely energized by the conversations around neurodiversity-affirming care, sensory experiences, regulation, communication, and supporting autistic individuals in ways that preserve dignity and authenticity.

I’d especially been looking forward to hearing from Sonny J Wise and Barry Prizant. Dr. Prizant’s book Uniquely Human was one of the earlier books that helped shape how I think about autism through a more compassionate, strengths-based, and relational lens.

One thing I keep coming back to is how important it is to move away from deficit-based interpretations of behavior and toward deeper curiosity, context, and understanding.

Grateful for opportunities to continue learning from neurodivergent voices and clinicians doing thoughtful, affirming work in this space.

04/27/2026

This moment from a recent evaluation has stayed with me.

A teen I was working with was given a few forms to complete at home. There were a couple of rating scales, along with some additional paperwork that was actually meant for a parent.

When he came back, he had completed all of it.

Carefully. Thoughtfully. In detail.

Apparently, it was not clearly explained to him which forms were for him and which were not, so he did exactly what he understood was being asked and followed through fully.

Moments like this are easy to misinterpret.

They can be seen as confusion, inattention, or “missing the point.”

But what I saw instead was strong follow-through, a genuine desire to do things right, and a more literal way of interpreting expectations.

This is something I see often in autistic adolescents, especially those who have spent years working hard to meet expectations in environments that are not always clear or predictable.

Not a lack of effort.
Not a lack of ability.

Just a difference in how information is processed and understood.

During Autism Acceptance Month, I keep coming back to this:

Sometimes what looks like a misunderstanding is actually someone trying very hard without having been given full clarity.

And when we understand that, it changes everything.
How we communicate.
How we interpret behavior.
How we offer support.

For many individuals, these patterns go unrecognized for a long time. And when they are finally understood, it often brings a real sense of relief for both that person and those close to them.

If you have noticed patterns like this in yourself or someone close to you, and have found yourself wondering what might be going on, you are not alone in that.

Columbus, OH
Neurodiversity-affirming therapy and psychological evaluations

Mental health services, consultation, & professional training in Columbus & Dublin, OH. Dr. Emily WH is a counselor & school psychologist who supports LGBTQ+ & neurodivergent individuals. Collaborative autism evaluations & ADHD testing available with a licensed psychologist, alongside therapy & cons...

03/31/2026

Today is Transgender Day of Visibility 💙

I feel really grateful to know and support gender-diverse adolescents and adults.

One thing I’m reminded of again and again is how much it matters to be accurately understood, and not questioned, minimized, or pathologized.

I see this every day in my work, and it’s something that also matters deeply to me on a personal level.

If you or your child are exploring gender identity, or just looking for a space where you can be supported and understood without judgment, you’re not alone.

You deserve care that sees you clearly and respects who you are.

Thinking of and celebrating the trans and gender-diverse community today 💙

03/27/2026

One thing I care deeply about in my work:

Evaluations that don’t just identify challenges, but actually help people understand themselves.

Many of the adolescents and adults I work with have spent years feeling “off,” “behind,” or unsure why things feel harder than they should.

A good evaluation should provide:
– Clarity (what’s going on?)
– Context (how does this fit together?)
– Direction (what actually helps?)

I take a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach to ADHD, autism, and dyslexia evaluations, so that clients walk away not just with answers, but with a clearer sense of how to move forward.

If you’re wondering whether you or your child might benefit from an evaluation, or just feeling unsure about what you’re seeing, I’m happy to talk through whether it makes sense.

I have a few openings coming up, so feel free to reach out.

03/11/2026

I’m grateful to have been featured in an interview with Voyage Ohio, where I shared a bit about my professional journey and the work I care deeply about.

My practice focuses on supporting neurodivergent and gender-expansive individuals and helping families navigate the intersection of mental health and broader systems through therapy, consultation, and comprehensive evaluations.

If you’re curious about the path that led me here, you can read the interview below.

Thank you to Voyage Ohio for the opportunity to share my story.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Wojniak-Heselton. Hi Emily, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?I began my career as a mental health counselor and quickly k...

02/21/2026

On my desk this week 🤍

I continue to learn from neurodivergent voices and evidence-based approaches as I support autistic, ADHD, and gender-expansive adolescents and adults.

I currently have limited openings for:
• ADHD & Autism evaluations (kids, teens & adults)
• Therapy (15+)
• Parent consultation

If you’re navigating questions about school, identity, or next steps, I’m always happy to connect.

02/05/2026

Some mornings, I walk into my school building and catch a sky like this.

It’s a quiet reminder of how grateful I am to get to work in both worlds ~ public education and private practice.

Working in an urban school district keeps me grounded in the daily realities many families face: limited resources, long waitlists, complex systems, and the very real impact of policy decisions on kids’ lives.

My private practice gives me space to slow down, listen deeply, and support people and families in ways that aren’t always possible within larger systems alone.

Holding both roles keeps me honest about what actually helps, and what many are up against.

Good care has to make sense not just on paper, but in real lives. 💛

01/30/2026

A quick note in case it’s helpful —

I’m currently accepting new therapy and psychological evaluation clients (including ADHD and autism), with in-person options in Central Ohio and virtual availability.

Sharing here in case this is useful for anyone supporting someone navigating waitlists or next steps.

01/23/2026

Feeling stuck on a waitlist? Or unsure where to even start?

I’m hearing from a lot of families, teens, and adults right now who are exhausted from:
• long evaluation waitlists
• unanswered questions about ADHD or autism
• anxiety, burnout, or school and workplace stress that just keeps piling up
• feeling misunderstood or “too much” in systems that weren’t built for them

This is the work I do.

I provide neuroaffirming therapy and psychological evaluations for:
• autistic and ADHD individuals
• gender-diverse and trans clients
• teens and adults navigating anxiety, executive functioning, identity, and burnout

If you’ve been thinking “we should probably reach out” — this is your sign.

✨ I’m currently accepting new therapy and evaluation clients
✨ Columbus / Central Ohio (virtual options available)

You’re welcome to message me here or submit an inquiry through my website.

01/14/2026

✨ “It’s a lonely road. You’ve got to struggle.”

That’s how one trans, autistic student described moving through school: having to navigate systems that weren’t designed with their nervous system, identity, or learning style in mind.

In my work, I see this often:
bright, thoughtful people who aren’t failing; they’re doing their best to adapt in environments that don’t fully understand them.

What actually helps isn’t pushing harder.
It’s being listened to.
It’s being understood.
It’s support that looks at the whole person: neurodivergence, anxiety, executive functioning, and identity, together, not separately.

I provide neuroaffirming therapy and psychological evaluations for neurodivergent, ADHD, autistic, and gender-diverse individuals.

✨ I’m currently accepting new therapy and evaluation clients, and I’m happy to connect with families, educators, or professionals navigating long waitlists or searching for affirming care.