Mary Klovance Consulting & Public Speaking

17/01/2025

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

I’m thrilled to share that I was recently featured in Insights Magazine by the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), where I had the opportunity to talk about Neurodiversity Affirming Care—what it means, how to provide it, and why it’s so important.

💡 What does it mean to be neurodiversity affirming?
It’s about recognizing and celebrating the unique ways neurodivergent individuals experience the world and creating spaces where they can thrive. Being neurodiversity affirming means shifting away from trying to “fix” differences and focusing on empowering individuals to embrace their strengths.

In the interview, I share insights on:
✨ The core principles of neurodiversity affirming care
✨ Practical strategies for counsellors, educators, and caregivers
✨ How this approach fosters greater inclusion and understanding

This work is close to my heart, and I’m so grateful for the chance to advocate for neurodivergent individuals and their families. 💜

📖 You can read the full interview here: Insights Magazine - Spring 2024
https://bcacc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/INSIGHTS-SPRING-2024.pdf

I’d love to hear your thoughts—what does neurodiversity affirming care mean to you? Let’s keep the conversation going!

27/01/2024

"Attention Seeking" has become a 'bad word' in the parenting community and it's just not the case. Attention seeking is really just connection seeking and our children deserve a deep, intentional, mindful connection with their caregivers because it creates the safety they need in order to explore and build confidence.

Instead of allowing your feelings of frustration take over, step back and take a minute to notice what's going on and why it might be that your child is seeking connection in this moment.

What can you do to meet their needs while also meeting your own?

Imagine your child calls a family meeting. They sit down at the table and say, "Look, Mom and Dad, I've been reflecting on my emotional needs lately 🤔 and I would like for us to connect more, and we can do this by the following..."

Not likely, huh? Here's the thing: while kids may not directly communicate their emotional needs, they give us signals and find other ways to convey their want and need for connection.

As parents, we can act as translators, recognizing that some behaviors, statements, and questions are indicators that our child wants to be seen, heard, loved, and connected ❤️

06/01/2024

🎉 Happy New Year, everyone! 🎉

I'm bursting with excitement as we step into a fresh year filled with endless possibilities! 🌟 My calendar is already brimming with exciting projects, and I'm manifesting even more incredible opportunities.

🏞️ First up, I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be hosting a full-day workshop at the beautiful Tigh-Na-Mara Resort in Parksville, BC, specially designed for our amazing Foster Parents in BC. We'll be delving into the transformative topic of "Co-Regulation: Supporting Children and Teens in the Moment while Caring for Ourselves." 🌈

📚 Next, I'm deeply grateful for the chance to contribute to a groundbreaking textbook in collaboration with CityU, focusing on "Advocacy from the Lens of a School Counsellor." Education and advocacy are close to my heart, and I can't wait to share insights on this crucial subject. 📖

🧠 Furthermore, I'm honored to be writing an article for Insights Magazine, a fantastic resource for BC Clinical Counsellors. We'll be exploring the world of Neurodiversity Affirming Care, nurturing a culture of acceptance and understanding for all. 🤝

🎙️ Lastly, I've taken a leap of faith and applied to TedxRRU! 🚀 Crossing my fingers and toes that I get the chance to fulfill one of my lifelong dreams and check a TedTalk off my bucket list. Your support means the world! 🤞

Let's make 2024 a year of growth, empowerment, and embracing every opportunity that comes our way! 🌠

02/01/2024

Happy New Years!

This year I choose peace, both in my life and in my mind.

My goal is to continue to learn and grow in the area of somatic self-regulation, to regulate my nervous system and to disengage from negativity.

I want my energy to flow towards peace and positivity both for myself and for those around me.

What about you?

29/12/2023

Tedx is coming to Royal Roads University in March 2024 and I want to apply!

What would you want to hear your girl talk about for 18 minutes on stage?

08/11/2023

Next Wednesday I'll be facilitating a FREE workshop for parents through the foundry. Come and check it out!

06/10/2023

I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to share about my career path, as well as tips for new grads at UVic! To read my interview in this month's Advantage newsletter click below:

The Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies acknowledges and respects the privilege and responsibility we have to live and learn together on the traditional territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples including the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ Peoples whose unwavering relation...

31/08/2023

🌟 Confronting Challenges: The Path to Resolution 🌟

Let's talk about something important today – the power of facing our problems head-on! 🚀✨

Life is full of ups and downs, and it's only natural to encounter challenges along the way. But here's the thing: avoiding these issues won't make them magically disappear. In fact, it can prolong the struggle and make matters worse in the long run. 😔

Think about it: when we dodge a problem, it's like sweeping dust under the rug. Sure, it may seem tidy for a while, but eventually, the pile gets bigger, and it becomes impossible t 🙈

Instead of hiding from our obstacles, let's embrace a different approach – one of courage and resilience. 💪💡 By acknowledging the problem, we take the first step towards finding a solution. It might not be easy, but trust me, it's worth it! 😉

Facing challenges head-on allows us to learn, grow, and discover strengths we never knew we had. 🌱💪 Moreover, it opens the door to new perspectives and creative solutions that we might have missed otherwise. Embracing our problems empowers us to regain control over our lives and steer them in the direction we desire. 🌈✨

So, my friends, let's make a pact today: no more hiding from our challenges. Let's stand tall and brave, ready to conquer whatever life throws our way. Together, we'll not only resolve these issues but emerge stronger, wiser, and more unstoppable than ever before! 🚀🔥

22/08/2023

She is ... extra.

She just is.

All the time she is extra sad, and then extra "OMG, Mom-that-was-so-epic-let-me-tell-you-everything.”

Extra energetic, then extra I'm too tired to help with any family chores.

Extra hungry, then extra refuses to eat her food she just asked for because she's full.

Extra defiant, then extra hands me adorable "I love you, Mom" art.

There is no middle ground with this kid.
And really, there never has been.

Sometimes that makes others label her "difficult" - and if we're being honest - labeled that way in our house, too.

But as I watch her continue to lean into who she is, I find myself more frequently stopping to admire her gift.

Because no one ever has to guess what's going on in her mind and heart. She expresses herself without fear of judgment and owns all parts of her expression. If she's feeling sad or frustrated, and someone seems annoyed by it - she will call them out and remind them she's allowed to have feelings.

There is no people-pleasing.
No conforming.
No adjusting who she is based on who's in the room.
(And, gosh, could we all learn from that.)

So while her "extra" can be hard to parent at times, I forever remain committed to never making her be less... because I know the world is already pointing the remote control her way and waiting to press "volume down."

So today?

I bite my tongue and take multiple deep breaths when I catch myself about to do the same thing, and instead create the space to let her figure out how to be her extra self. And I find ways to show her how she can use that passion to make a positive impact, and embrace that authenticity to inspire others to do the same, and channel that grit into the important things.

Girlfriend is extra.
And I pray no attempt to slow her down is ever enough.
Because the world needs more people like her.

—

❤️
Credit / Follow The Thinking Branch

12/08/2023

Let's shed some light on ADHD and the challenging behaviors that sometimes come with it. It's time to change the narrative and approach these situations with a fresh perspective.

🚩 Challenging Behavior: A Cry for Help
For children and teens with ADHD, challenging behavior is like an SOS signal, telling us that something deeper is at play. Instead of merely reacting to the behavior, let's pause and remember that it's only a symptom of an underlying issue.

🔍 Identifying the Real Problem
To tackle challenging behavior effectively, we must first put on our detective hats and investigate what's causing it. It could be struggles with attention, impulse control, or emotional regulation. By understanding the root cause, we pave the way for lasting change.

💡 Collaborative Problem-Solving
As parents and caregivers, we hold the key to unlocking solutions that truly work. Instead of imposing fixes from above, let's involve our kids and teens in problem-solving. Together, we can brainstorm strategies to address the underlying issues and create a supportive plan.

🎯 Empathy and Understanding
Our children need a shoulder to lean on during this journey. Let's be their allies, showing empathy and understanding. By being attuned to their feelings and experiences, we can build a bond of trust and encourage open communication.

💪 Building Resilience
Empowering our kids and teens to face challenges head-on is vital. With ADHD, there might be setbacks, but they're not failures. Let's help them build resilience, teaching them that every step forward, no matter how small, is progress.

🌈 Embracing Progress, Not Perfection
Let's celebrate every milestone, no matter how tiny it may seem. Small victories pave the way to greater accomplishments. It's essential to understand that change takes time and patience, but with love and perseverance, we can witness incredible growth.

By looking beyond the challenging behavior, we can uncover the real issues and work collaboratively to find solutions. Together, we'll create a world where every child with ADHD feels understood, supported, and empowered to shine!

21/07/2023

As parents it's hard not to invest in the outcomes of our child's behaviours:
Will they make healthy choices?
Will they pass all their classes?
Will they get in to college/university?

But what if instead of investing in the outcome of our child's actions, we invest in them as a person.
"No matter what happens, the way I feel about you will never change"
"I trust you will make the right decision for you and I'm here to help if you need it"
"I love you, no matter what"

I worked at a youth detox for more than 5 years and saw how investing in the outcome (their child choosing not to use again) created resentment within families every time the child wasn't able to follow through. I saw anger, sadness, and fear ruin relationships between children and parents.

I remember one youth saying "Aren't you disappointed that I've been here 4 times and I'm still not clean?" to which I replied "Dude! I'm so excited to see you again trying your best! My hopes about you getting clean will never change no matter how many times you come back here. I'm just stoked to see that you're still trying and that you're willing to work on it in the first place! I care about you, not what you do/don't do!"

What kinds of outcomes do you find you are investing in which leave you feeling nothing but disappointment? How else might you approach it from the lense of investing in the person, not the outcome? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

19/07/2023

Hi folks!

I've started a new Instagram separate from The NFCentre and would love for you to follow me! I'll be sharing parenting tips, tips for parenting adhd, tips for those with adhd as well as my personal experiences living with and parenting adhd!

Http://www.instagram.com/parentingyouthwithadhd