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Kalea Kirsh (she/her)
Social Media Manager
About Kalea
Kalea Kirsh proudly identifies as neurodivergent, embracing her Autism, ADHD, and C-PTSD. One of Kalea’s biggest passions is promoting neurodiversity.
She firmly believes that there is nothing inherently “wrong” with individuals who are neurodivergent and rejects the idea that they need to be “fixed” or changed. Instead, she advocates for challenging the systems we live in, which often fail to consider the unique needs of diverse individuals.
Kalea’s special interests are neuroscience, socially informed medicine, psychology, and you guessed it… autism! She loves competing in badminton, can solve a Rubix cube, deeply adores her Frenchie named Crew, and will never get tired of eating ridiculous amounts of pizza.
The name of this group, Wildflowers, is deeply important to Kalea. She has multiple wildflower tattoos which serve as a constant reminder of resilience, growth, authentic beauty and the ability to thrive despite challenging conditions.
Passion for Neurodiversity
Common Questions
Embarking on the journey of booking a therapy session can be a significant step—one that might seem intimidating.
Here are some FAQs
How do I book a free consultation?
If your preferred associate is available to meet with new clients, please click the link in their bio to book your free 20-minute consultation.
If they are not meeting with new clients at this time, please feel free to add yourself to our waiting list. Our Intake Coordinator will be in touch as soon as possible to schedule your appointment.
Are your consultations virtual?
Yes, all our consultations are virtual. However, some of our associates meet clients for in-person sessions in the Toronto area.
What types of insurance do you accept?
Our therapists are Registered Social Workers and Registered Psychotherapists and are covered by most health benefits plans. Check your benefits to see if these professionals are covered by your insurance.
How can I pay?
Payments are made through our client portal Jane.app after each session. All major credit cards are accepted.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require 48 hour cancellation notice for in-person sessions, and 24 hours for virtual appointments.
Kalea Kirsh (she/her)
Kalea Kirsh (she/her)
Research & Media Links
Publications
“An Expert Discussion on Knowledge Translation in Autism in Adulthood Research”. Moderators: Anne V. Kirby, Participants: Katherine E. McDonald, James Cusack, Brenna Maddox, Cheryl Mangan, Lisa Morgan, Anne Roux, Nidhi Singhal, and Dori Zener. Autism in Adulthood. Mar 2021.11-17. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2020.29017.avk
Zener, D. (2019), “Helping autistic women thrive”, Advances in Autism, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 143-156. https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-10-2018-0042
Zener, D. (2019), “Journey to diagnosis for women with autism”, Advances in Autism, Vol. 5 Issue: 1, pp.2-13, https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-10-2018-0041
Contact us to request full-text versions of the publications.
Appearances
Radio guest
The Dating and Relationship Show – Autism and Dating AM640 – 2019
Video
“10 Tips for Enhancing Mental Health” – CAMH 2023
https://youtu.be/kRNVaMA3JCA
“Fostering well-being in Autistic girls and women”, Profile of girls and women, INVEST – ACT 2022
https://youtu.be/xyTp4x3BYS0
“PTSD & Sexual Assault” – AIDE Canada 2022
https://aidecanada.ca/resources/learn/crisis-response/ptsd-from-sexual-assault
INVESTing in Women & Girls with ASD: Identify Needs, Validate, Educate, Strengthen, and Thrive – 2018
https://www.youtube.com/playlistlist=PLHFkezbvgdDZgIfIGXDjD32uF4ObMs4tE
Practical Strategies for Promoting Mental Wellness for Girls & Women with Autism – ACT 2017
https://www.actcommunity.ca/education/videos/practical-strategies-for-supporting-mental-wellness-of-teenage-girls-and-women-with-asd
Women on the Autism Spectrum and Eating Disorders: Implications for Treatment – NEDIC 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLvI1euWX-g&feature=youtu.be
Embark on a transformative journey
Welcome to a unique framework transforming traditional counselling practices by embracing the beauty of neurodiversity.
INVEST adopts a person-centered, strengths-based approach, firmly distancing itself from deficit-oriented viewpoints on autism.
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