The JOY Factor

<p>Kitty Hovatter, Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist, returns to the Joy Factor Podcast for a deep dive into one of the most overwhelming parts of parenting a neurodivergent child — navigating the school system. Whether you're brand new to the process or just left an IEP meeting feeling lost, this episode is your cheat sheet.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><ul><li>What an IEP and a 504 plan actually are — and how they differ</li><li>Which conditions qualify (hint: it's more than just ADHD and autism)</li><li>Why girls are often diagnosed much later, and what signs to watch for</li><li>How to prepare yourself before walking into that meeting</li><li>What schools are required to provide — and how to advocate for more</li><li>The importance of getting your child's buy-in in the process</li><li>Recognizing parental burnout and practical ways to refill your cup</li><li>Screen time, social media, and the Wait Until 8th movement</li><li>Small joys that help the whole family regulate — including letting your kid pick the car music</li></ul><p>Resources mentioned:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.waituntil8th.org/" style="color:rgb(17,85,204);">Wait Until 8th</a> — a parent pledge to delay smartphone use until 8th grade</li></ul><p>Connect with Kitty Hovatter:</p><ul><li>Inner-Evolution Therapy | Frederick, Maryland</li><li><a href="https://inner-evolution.com/staff/kristen-kitty-hovatter" style="color:rgb(17,85,204);">www.inner-evolution.com</a></li></ul>

<p>In this episode of The Joy Factor, Julie Hanson sits down with Kristen “Kitty” Hovatter, a</p><p></p><p></p><p>Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist, Navy veteran, and mother of three</p><p></p><p></p><p>neurodivergent teens.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Kitty shares her personal and professional experience <a href="https://inner-evolution.com/understanding-your-neurodivergent-child-by-kristen-kitty-hovatter-lgmft">navigating neurodivergence in the </a></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="https://inner-evolution.com/understanding-your-neurodivergent-child-by-kristen-kitty-hovatter-lgmft">family system</a> and offers practical tools for parents, caregivers, and neurodivergent</p><p></p><p></p><p>individuals seeking support.</p><p></p><p></p><p>We discuss:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>How to find the right therapist for your neurodivergent child</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>What to look for in a consultation</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>The difference between therapy and parent coaching</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Practical strategies for communication and family harmony</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Real wins from neurodivergent families</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Kitty’s own “joy factor” and what keeps her grounded</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>This episode is for:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li><a href="https://inner-evolution.com/neurodivergent-parenting-you-are-not-alone">Parents of neurodivergent children</a></li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Caregivers navigating school systems (IEPs, 504s)</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Adults recently diagnosed with ADHD or autism</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Anyone seeking supportive, trauma-informed, non-judgmental therapy</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Key Takeaways<p></p><p></p><p></p>Finding the Right Therapist<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>If the connection isn’t there, ask for someone else</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Start with a 15-minute consultation</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Ask questions like:</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li class="ql-indent-1">“How often do you work with neurodivergent clients?”</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li class="ql-indent-1">“How do you structure therapy for neurodivergent kids?”</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li class="ql-indent-1">“Do you ask direct questions or rely on open-ended prompts?”</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p>What Makes Therapy Work for Neurodivergent Clients<p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Consistency and routine</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Clear communication</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Reduced distractions in the environment</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Plenty of choices without overwhelming the client</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p>Therapy vs. Coaching<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Therapy focuses on emotional processing and building self-awareness.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Coaching is practical and role-based, with role-play and real-life strategies.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Biggest Wins for Families<p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>The moment communication clicks</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>When parents and kids feel truly understood</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>When the family creates a shared language</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>When parents stop feeling like they’re “failing” and start seeing growth</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Kitty’s Joy Factor<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Kitty shares that her joy comes from:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Baking for her family</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>The smell of earth after rain (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrichor">petrichor)</a></li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Practicing radical acceptance and focusing on the next smallest step</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p>Recommended Resource<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Kitty recommends “<a href="https://bookshop.org/a/90663/9780553386691">The Whole-Brain Child”</a> for parents seeking tools to connect with their</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>neurodivergent children through gentle parenting.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Want Support from Kitty?<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>If you’re looking for neurodivergence-informed therapy or parent coaching in the state of </p><p></p><p></p><p>Maryland, Kitty is accepting new clients at Inner Evolution.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Learn more about Kitty here:</p><p></p><p></p><p>https://inner-evolution.com/staff/kristen-kitty-hovatter</p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Subscribe &amp; Connect<p></p><p></p><p></p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, please:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-factor/id1108263766">Subscribe</a></li></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-factor/id1108263766">Leave a review</a></li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Share with a friend who needs support</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Visit: <a href="https://inner-evolution.com/listen-now">thejoyfactorpodcast.com</a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>

<p>In this episode of The JOY Factor Podcast, Julie Hanson sits down with Marriage and Family Therapist Tiff Majette to explore the power of rewriting our stories, cultivating joy, and choosing resilience—even in the face of pain and challenge. Tiff shares her journey from aspiring FBI profiler to becoming a therapist devoted to healing families, communities, and cultures through curiosity, empathy, and narrative therapy.</p><p>What You’ll Hear in This Episode</p><ul><li>How Tiff’s path led from psychology to marriage and family therapy</li><li>The meaning of the Joy Factor and how joy supports health and resilience</li><li>How narrative therapy helps people rewrite old stories and create new, empowering ones</li><li>Practical ways to shift internal dialogue toward self-compassion and gratitude</li><li>Why time and intentional pauses are essential in healing</li><li>Everyday practices for reclaiming joy, even when life feels overwhelming</li><li>How choosing joy daily can be both an act of resilience and resistance</li></ul><p>Memorable Quotes from Tiff</p><ul><li>“Narrative therapy helps us shift how we tell our stories and therefore how we see ourselves.”</li><li>“Give time, time—and you will get through.”</li><li>“Joy doesn’t simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”</li></ul><p>Resources &amp; Where to Find Tiff</p><ul><li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com">@tifft.mft23</a></li><li>https://inner-evolution.com/staff/tiff-majette</li></ul><p></p>

<p>Welcome to another inspiring episode of The JOY Factor Podcast! Today, we’re thrilled to have therapist Andrea Boyd, LCSW, as our guest. Andrea shares her expertise on EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), an evidence-based therapy that helps individuals process traumatic memories, restore nervous system health, and find greater balance and healing.</p><p>Tune in to learn:</p><ul><li>What EMDR is and how it works.</li><li>The transformative impact EMDR can have on mental health.</li><li>How EMDR helps individuals move from a state of survival to thriving.</li><li>The surprising ways healing trauma connects us to joy.</li></ul><p>Whether you're curious about EMDR for yourself or looking to understand more about this therapeutic approach, this episode is packed with insights and hope.</p><p>Resources Mentioned:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.emdria.org/">Learn more about EMDR</a></li><li>Connect with Andrea Boyd, LCSW: [Insert link or contact info]</li></ul><p>Thank you for Listening</p><p>It is a true honor to bring this podcast to you and I am so grateful that you took the time to listen. </p><p>Your support truly matters. If you feel led to offer a donation to keep our podcast running you can <a href="https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=DKGQ93UFESQXA">contribute here.</a> If you enjoyed the show, please share it with your friends and family. <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joy-factor-mindfulness-compassion-positive-psychology/id1108263766"> The JOY Factor Podcast</a> </p>

<p></p><p>Welcome back to the JOY Factor Podcast! In this second episode of our four-part series on using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to improve relationships, we dive into the crucial concept of Distress Tolerance. Learn how to navigate stress and conflict in your relationships without making things worse. Discover powerful skills like Radical Acceptance, self-soothing, and how to access your Wise Mind to make wise choices during difficult times.</p><p>What You'll Learn:</p><ul><li>The importance of Wise Mind and how to access it.</li><li>The power of Radical Acceptance and its role in reducing emotional pain.</li><li>Practical Distress Tolerance skills for improving relationships.</li><li>Techniques for cultivating willingness and staying calm under pressure.</li></ul><p>Key Quotes:</p><ul><li>"Wise Mind is the calm, clear-headed part of us that integrates our emotional and rational minds."</li><li>"Radical Acceptance means fully accepting the reality of a situation without judgment or resistance."</li></ul><p>Homework:</p><p>Practice these DBT Distress Tolerance skills in your relationships:</p><ul><li>Mindful Observation: Identify a recurring stressful situation and observe your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without judgment. Note what triggers your stress and how you respond.</li><li>Willingness in Action: When tension rises, practice “willing hands” by unclenching your fists, turning your palms upward, and taking deep breaths. Reflect on how this shift affects your ability to stay calm and present.</li><li>Radical Acceptance Practice: Choose a specific aspect of your relationship that’s difficult to accept. Practice Radical Acceptance daily and notice how it influences your emotional reactions and sense of peace.</li><li>Self-Soothing Ritual: Create a simple self-soothing ritual, such as deep breathing, sensory grounding, or listening to calming music, and use it during moments of distress.</li></ul><p>Connect with Us:</p><ul><li>www.inner-evolution.com</li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/inner_evolution_2022/">Instagram</a></li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063864570462">Facebook:</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@innerevolution2023/podcasts">YouTube</a></li></ul><p>Support the Show:</p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the podcast on itunes Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable content.</p><p>Join the Conversation:</p><p>Have a question or comment? We’d love to hear from you! Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #TheJOYFactor or drop us a line at [email protected].</p><p>Connect With Us:</p><ul><li><a href="https://inner-evolution.com/adult-dbt-informed-skills-class/" style="color:rgb(17,85,204);">Take a DBT Class with us!</a></li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063864570462" style="color:rgb(17,85,204);">Join Our Facebook Community</a></li></ul>