About
Haley Britton, LCSW (she/her)
I work primarily with people on the autism spectrum (whether formally diagnosed, self diagnosed, or just a hunch) who feel shame for being different. With my bachelor’s and my master’s in social work, as well as a minor in special education, I aim to bridge the gap between mental health and neurodiversity. My focus is not on the specific tools to help someone become more “normal,” rather on helping people find deeper understanding of who they are both because of and apart from their neurodiversity so they can be their true self in a way that feels good to them.
I want to work both for you and with you. I want your feedback on what does and does not work for you and I want to hold space for you in whatever way is conducive to your individual healing. I believe in support rather than solution; in walking with someone to face their unique issues however they need rather than “fixing” them. I want my clients to be comfortable with me and never feel like I am judging them, but I also hope to challenge and gently push them toward growth. My aim is to create space for clients to feel seen, heard, and supported.
Why "Support Not Solution"?
I came up with the name “Support Not Solution” after I listened to a podcast during my move from undergrad to grad school. In the episode (linked here) the researcher travels to a village in Belgium where families commonly take in someone with mental illness, a “boarder,” as their own, similar to our foster system. Although a significant portion of the population has mental illness, the villagers see this inclusive society as normal and don’t bat an eye to those around them with differences.
One boarder would twist off the buttons of his shirt every day and his host mother would sew them back on each night. When the researcher asked why, implying that it was a waste of time, the host mother’s response that she was happy to accommodate led the researcher to realize that the village functioned to support people rather than to fix them or mold them into what many would say is “normal.”
I aim to do the same. You are not a project to be fixed or a problem to be solved. We are not meant to contort ourselves to fit into “normal” molds that aren’t meant for most. I want to help people find the tools within themselves to function, manage symptoms, and grow into the person they want to be. I come to each client with a nonjudgmental, person-centered approach and I will do whatever I can to help someone move closer to being their best self. Each person deserves love, respect, and support no matter what and I will relentlessly support and fiercely advocate for each of my clients.
The semicolon in my logo is a tribute to Project ; an organization dedicated to helping people with mental illness. The semicolon symbolizes the idea "your story isn't over."