The Christina Crowe Podcast: Making the invisible VISIBLE

ADHD doesn’t end with a prescription, and living well with ADHD means learning to play the long game. In this episode, psychotherapist Christina Crowe breaks down why ADHD treatment is never a one-time fix and what real, lifelong care looks like.You’ll hear:Why ADHD is a lifelong condition, not something you “grow out of.”How treatment needs shift from childhood to adulthood and beyond,The limits of relying on medication alone,The role of therapy, skills, and support systems across a lifetime,How to prepare for life transitions (career changes, parenthood, aging) that can make ADHD symptoms resurface.Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone you love, or years into treatment and still wondering why it feels hard, this episode will help you understand the bigger picture of ADHD care.Resources for After the Show: ADHD Treatment Options: Medications, Therapy, And What Works Best. The OG: ⁠The ADHD Resource Hub⁠.Real life advice from our team of ADHD therapists on The Dig Deeper Blog. Find Christina (CRPO #3908): Website | Find a Therapist | Instagram | Podcast pageA gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina is not your therapist. If you would appreciate one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio | AmazonMusic | Castbox | Podcast Addict | RSS

Today your host, psychotherapist Christina Crowe is talking to Certified Financial Planner Jeff Chapman,  from G.E. Chapman Financial Services Inc. in Burlington, Ontario. In this episode, we explore the complex connection between mental health, money mindsets, and everyday life skills. From how ADHD and time-blindness impact financial habits, to the invisible and visible money lessons kids absorb, we uncover why so many adults struggle to talk about money openly. We also discuss the role of certified financial professionals (CFPs), how to spot misleading “fin-fluencers,” and where to turn for help—even if you don’t have “wealth” yet. Tune in for real-life tips, mindset shifts, and strategies to build a healthier relationship with money and your mental health.Resources for After the Show: CFPs recommended by our Guest:Aravind SithamparapillaiSam Rook’s BlogJason Pereira (Financial Planning For Canadian Business Owners)Aaron HectorJulia Chung, Board Chair for the Financial Planning Association of CanadaOur own resources: Financial Support for ADHD parents and families on the Canadian Disability tax credit, as well as grants and bursaries for college or university for students with ADHD. Low-cost, quality counselling services (in-person and across Ontario virtually).About our Guest: Jeff Chapman, CFP is the President + Head Financial Planner for G.E. Chapman Financial Services Inc. Jeff has been providing his clients with trusted and sound advice for their insurance and wealth management goals for over 15 years. He earned his Certified Financial Planner designation in 2010. As a former high school teacher, he takes great pride in sharing his knowledge and helping people understand financial planning-related topics. Find Jeff: Website | Twitter |LinkedInFind Christina (CRPO #3908):  Website | Find a Therapist | Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram | Podcast page. A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina is not your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio | AmazonMusic | Castbox | RSS

Ever felt trapped in a conflict that seems impossible to resolve?In this episode, I sit down with Bill Eddy, a world-renowned expert on high-conflict personalities, to explore why some disputes spiral and what you can do about it.Bill introduces his proven BIFF response method (Brief, Informative, Friendly, Firm) and shares practical strategies for handling intense situations in relationships, workplaces, and family law.We also discuss how neurodivergence, like ADHD, can shape conflict dynamics and what therapists, parents, and professionals can do to respond effectively.Whether you’re a therapist, parent, leader, or navigating a personal dispute, this episode will leave you with tools you can use right away.Resources for After the Show: High Conflict People in Legal Disputes, BIFF for CoParent Communication,Our Resources: The Dig Deeper Blog, especially The OG: The ADHD Resource Hub.About our Guest: Bill Eddy is an attorney, therapist, mediator, and Director of Innovation for the High Conflict Institute based in Arizona and California. He has trained professionals in managing high-conflict personalities worldwide in over 40 states and 14 countries. He is the author of several books, including: Mediating High Conflict Disputes, High Conflict People in Legal Disputes, BIFF for CoParent Communication, and BIFF for Lawyers and Law Offices. Find Bill: It's All Your Fault Podcast | Website Find Christina (CRPO #3908):  Website | Find a Therapist | Instagram | Podcast pageA gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina is not your therapist. If you would appreciate one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio | AmazonMusic | Castbox | RSS

Today I’m talking to Jessica Batres, a trilingual therapist based in Ontario, about the unique experiences of first generation Canadians, our mental health and our evolving cultural identity. Brief Summary: Many first-generation Canadians feel the invisible weight of living between two cultures — pulled between the sacrifices of the generation before them and the pressure to succeed in the one they were born into. In this episode, we explore how cultural guilt, hustle culture, and the struggle to belong can make rest feel impossible, and why this tension takes such a toll on first-generation mental health.Resources for After the Show: Latina Women, Marianismo, and the Pressure to Be Perfect by Jessica Batres, MSW, RSW Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski, Self-Care for Latinas by Raquel Reichard and My Grandmothers Hand by Resmaa MenakemAbout our Guest: Jessica Batres is a trilingual therapist based in Ontario and the founder of Raíces  Flourish Counseling. Jessica’s path into mental health is rooted in years of frontline work with people experiencing homelessness, followed by roles in social policy focusing on housing and immigration. Today, she brings all of that insight into her therapy practice, where she supports women, young adults, and the Latine community in navigating anxiety, depression, and the weight of cultural expectations. Find Jessica: Website/Blog | Instagram Find Christina (CRPO #3908):  Website | Find a Therapist | Instagram | Podcast pageA gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina is not your therapist. If you would appreciate one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio | AmazonMusic | Castbox | RSS

Today I’m joined by Permission to Be group co-creators Sabrina Belo and Connie Marasco, to talk about what it’s like to be stuck with ourselves …  knowing something in your relationships or life needs to change, but not knowing how to make it happen, or feeling discouraged after past attempts have failed.We explore how the contemplation stage of change can be a powerful place to begin when supported in the right way. You’ll hear how understanding your nervous system, learning to set healthy boundaries, and building self-trust can help you move from frustration to clarity. Together, we discuss how slowing down, getting curious, and creating safety in connection with others can help you navigate change without losing yourself.Whether you’re facing burnout, identity shifts, or ongoing relationship stress, this conversation offers a compassionate roadmap to help you go from stuck to steady, at your own pace.Resources for After the Show: Check out Permission to Be, and sign up for the next available session. Our Resources: The Dig Deeper Blog. About our Guests:  Sabrina Belo, a trauma-informed counsellor, conscious parenting coach, and somatic practitioner, helps people navigate life’s transitions with clarity and compassion. From healing generational wounds to finding presence in parenting, or processing grief and identity shifts, Sabrina creates a supportive space for deep, lasting change. With certifications in somatic therapy, grief work, and conscious parenting, she blends science and soul to guide clients back to their true selves. Find Sabrina: Website | Instagram Connie Marasco, Registered Psychotherapist,  helps individuals and couples deepen connection, navigate conflict, and build more fulfilling relationships. With training in emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and a warm, culturally informed approach, Connie supports clients in understanding how their thoughts, attachment patterns, and past experiences shape how they relate to others. Find Connie: Website | Instagram  Find Christina (CRPO #3908):  Website | Find a Therapist | Instagram | Podcast pageA gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina is not your therapist. If you would appreciate one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio | AmazonMusic | Castbox | RSS

In this heartfelt episode, psychotherapist Christina Crowe speaks with advocate and parent Liana Cancian about the emotional and practical realities of raising a medically complex child. Liana shares her journey navigating her daughter’s rare seizure disorder, the challenges of accessing care and resources, and how community support and emotional resilience have shaped their family’s story. From cannabis therapy to founding a nonprofit for supportive housing, Liana offers insight, hope, and powerful lessons for families, educators, and allies of children with special needs.Highlights: What happens after your child gets a life-changing diagnosis,What it means to live alongside your child,The impact of having a medically complex child on their siblings,Understanding the mandate of Close to Home Caledon, fundraising for new housing solutions for special needs children in Caledon,The stories we tell ourselves and leaving a meaningful legacy. Resources for After the Show: Shining Through: Finding the balance between heartache and hope while raising a child with special needs, by Liana Cancian Three Bolton Women Unite to find a Special Needs Housing Solution by Patti FoleyConnect with others! Everyday Heroes Kids | Brampton-Caledon Community Living | Cassie’s Place | ErinOak KidsRead: The Dig Deeper Blog, especially: Finding the community that heals, by Katie RichardsonFind Christina (CRPO #3908): Website |Find a Therapist |Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram |TikTok | XA gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina nor Katie are your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our  Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio | AmazonMusic | Castbox | RSS

What if behaviour analysis didn’t have to be a source of trauma for Autistic people? In this episode, Christina Crowe and co-host Katie Richardson speak with Kerry-Anne Robinson, Executive Director of the Progressive Life Centre in Ajax, Ontario. Kerry-Anne shares her powerful journey from traditional behaviour therapy to building a groundbreaking neurodiversity-affirming centre designed to celebrate, not suppress, difference. With personal roots in neurodivergent family life and professional leadership in compassionate care, Kerry-Anne opens up about how therapeutic spaces — and the people who run them — can evolve.Whether you're a clinician, caregiver, or someone with lived experience, this conversation is for anyone reckoning with the past and hopeful for a better future in autism support.Highlights:A Radical Redesign: Inside the Progressive Life Centre, a therapeutic space built for and with neurodivergent individuals.Beyond Compliance: Why true neurodiversity-affirming care is a direction, not a destination.Culture Shift in Behavioural Therapy: What it takes to retrain, reframe, and reimagine ABA through a trauma-informed lens.Empowering Parents & Providers: How to ask the right questions, name your concerns, and centre informed consent and client autonomy.Resources for After the Show: The Progressive Life Centre in Ajax, Ontario, and their Program Guide | Progressive Steps Neuroinclusive Design Read: The Dig Deeper Blog, especially: Neurodivergent-Affirming Clinical Practices and Psychological Safety The OG: The ADHD Resource HubAbout our Guest: Kerry-Anne Robinson is the Executive Director of Progressive Life Centre and Owner/Clinical Director of Progressive Steps Training and Consultation Inc. Kerry-Anne is leading a crucial paradigm shift in therapeutic support, mentoring therapists to move away from harmful traditional practices toward compassionate, accepting approaches. At Progressive Life Centre, she's created an environment where neurodivergent individuals aren't just supported– they're celebrated. Her innovative approach combines evidence-based practices with deep respect for neurodivergent experiences, demonstrating how therapeutic spaces can evolve to truly honour and empower the community they serve. Find Kerry-Anne: Website | Instagram | Email Kerry-Anne Find Katie (CRPO #11244): Website | InstagramFind Christina (CRPO #3908): Website |Find a Therapist |Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram |TikTok | XA gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina nor Katie are your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our  Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio | AmazonMusic | Castbox | RSS

Exploring the overlooked dynamics of ableism within loving families sheds light on how internalized beliefs affect relationships. The discussion highlights the damaging misinterpretations of ADHD traits, revealing how such views can sabotage connection. It also delves into the complexities of unaddressed neurodivergence among family members. Listeners are guided toward fostering understanding and support, urging a shift to embrace neurodiversity and enhance family bonds. Practical insights empower families to begin their journey of awareness and advocacy.

Sheena and Christina explore  the complexities of diagnosing and treating ADHD, emphasizing the critical need for thorough assessments to uncover underlying issues. Sheena shared her experience of receiving a late ADHD diagnosis as a therapist, as well as highlighted the societal pressures and ableism she sees her clients continuing to face. The importance of pacing self-discovery and the gradual process of integrating one's true self, advocating for a nuanced understanding of neurodivergence and the significance of early intervention in therapy is also addressed. We explore:Sheena’s experience as a therapist navigating her own diagnostic journey, while working with ADHD clients,How can therapists ensure their experiences do not overshadow their clients' work?How societal pressures and ableism within the mental health community contribute to misunderstandings about the condition, How clients can ask their therapists to ensure they are offering them the ADHD strategies that are recommended by global treatment guidelines. Resources for After the Show: Take the Adult ADHD Masking Measure (AAMM): Questionnaire | Background info  Read: The Dig Deeper Blog, especially: ADHD: More Than a Buzzword, by Sheena Scott, RP Qualifying The Reckoning: Reflecting on a (late) ADHD Diagnosis as an Adult, by Christina Crowe, RPThe OG: The ADHD Resource Hub. About our Guest:  Sheena Scott is a neurodivergent-affirming therapist in Ontario with a special interest in helping adults who were recently diagnosed or suspect they have ADHD symptoms. Sheena completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York University, and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and has been working with Dig a Little Deeper Psychotherapy since 2023.  Work with Sheena: Website | InstagramFind Christina (CRPO #3908):  Website | Find a Therapist | Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram | Podcast page. A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina nor Katie are your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio | AmazonMusic | Castbox | RSS

Today I’m talking to psychotherapist Mona Virk, from Caledon, Ontario, about Brown Girl Mental Health. Mona leads us through her own experiences and why now as a psychotherapist, she is dedicated to stating conversations that matter within in the South Asian community, about mental health. We talk about:What are the cultural stigmas and barriers to seeking help in the South Asian community?What is important to discern when talking about identity development and cultural connections?What are some of the nuances of growing up in a multicultural family, or community, on one’s mental health?How can we retain our brown parts of identity to be celebrated and passed on to future generations?What should clients do if they want to break any troubling cycles of family issues?Resources for After the Show: Do I have ADHD? (South Asian Woman Edition.) by Mona Virk SOCH community events | South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario Looking for promo codes for The Dig Deeper School? Use CCPODCAST or PODSQUADVIP for 15% off any course. About our Guest: Mona Virk is a Registered Psychotherapist Qualifying in Caledon, ON at Dig a Little Deeper, Psychotherapy & Counselling.  Her experience in health care for over a decade strengthens her counselling approach grounded in creating strong alliances. Mona completed an undergraduate degree from McMaster University, had been a Chiropodist for over a decade before returning to grad school to complete her Master of Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University.   Find Mona: Website | Instagram  Find Christina (CRPO #3908): Website |Find a Therapist |Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram | Podcast page. A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina nor Katie are not your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our  Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio| AmazonMusic | RSS