Wendy Thornell

If conversations turn into arguments, emotions escalate quickly, or one person shuts down, it can feel exhausting and confusing—especially when you’re both trying. Many individuals, couples and families come to therapy feeling stuck in cycles of reactivity, emotional distance, or overwhelm despite caring deeply. These patterns are often signs of a nervous system under chronic stress—not personal failure. I work with you to improve communication, regulate stress responses, and create emotional safety so conversations feel calmer and more productive. My approach is trauma-informed and nervous-system focused, supporting clients navigating relationship conflict, anxiety, PTSD, and emotional burnout. Many people I work with feel like they’re speaking different languages, often due to trauma, chronic stress, or neurodivergent communication styles shaping what happens beneath the surface. I also provide autism and ADHD assessments for children and adults seeking clarity around lifelong challenges with emotional regulation, communication, sensory sensitivity, and executive functioning. Assessment can be a powerful step toward self-understanding, reduced self-blame, and more effective support—both individually and within relationships. **Specialties:** I work with individuals and couples experiencing conflict, emotional reactivity, shutdown, anxiety, or PTSD. Therapy focuses on nervous system regulation and communication skills to reduce escalation and increase emotional safety. I also provide autism and ADHD assessments for children and adults seeking clarity around emotional regulation, communication, and executive functioning. **Credentials & Experience:** I'm Wendy Thornell, LMSW, LCDC-I, trained in trauma focused care, autism evaluations, ADHD screenings and PTSD assessments. I bring both professional expertise and personal insight as a parent, creating a safe, understanding space for teens, parents, and families.

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