A3: I have found that persons trained in rehab models of care to be particularly prone to trying to lessen the burden of disability but unfortunately this is one of the only practices that focuses on disability in psychology in traditional training programs. #MyAbleistTherapist

A3: As a client, I would pay attention to how you feel when you interact with them. Are you feeling put down or patronized in any way? Do they give you space to share your feelings without making you feel like it is your fault or it makes a lot of sense? #MyAbleistTherapist

A3: Do they know what ableism is? One of my first trainings as a new psychologist, I had to tell the Human Resources person what ableism was. #MyAbleistTherapist

I remember recently noticing how stressed I was going on the subway. I realized looking around that other people didn't feel stressed for the space they took up and being "in the way". Being able to process with my therapist was very affirming & empowering. #MyAbleistTherapist

Q4. How can we identify our own internalized ableism? #MyAbleistTherapist Kaley Roosen

Find another one! It is not your job to educate therapists and it will add to the stress and shame we are prone to feeling if it's not challenged/validated.

Absolutely! Or challenge them IF you are comfortable with that. Your therapist is there to facilitate your healing. It can be so damaging to feel like this is the best I can get. There are good therapists out there. #MyAbleistTherapist

Yes. Feel it. As disabled ppl, others constantly tell us what we should be feeling. Party not accessible? Don't be so upset about it, move on! Why are you so angry? NO! It's okay to feel these things and learn from them. They are teaching us that the world is not ok.

Start with adding accessibility information on their contact/website. It's such a burden to have to call all these offices and find out their not accessible. Can contribute to hopelessness #MyAbleistTherapist

Also, talking to disabled people on what they need in your community. Hire disabled people! And offer more accommodations than just getting into the building. EX: offer large print materials. #MyAbleistTherapist

Q5. Your bio says you do ‘disability affirmative Psychotherapy”- what is this? Because I feel like we all need this! #MyAbleistTherapist Kaley Roosen

Also, make space in your waiting room for mobility devices! And people with different bodies. Have large furniture without armrests for larger bodies. Have a spot for couple's therapy. Feeling like you are not an afterthought can make a huge difference. #MyAbleistTherapist

A5: It's a way of doing therapy that acknowledges disability as an important consideration in the therapeutic relationship. It neither over-inflates nor under-emphasizes the importance of disability & let's the client lead on how they define disability but...#MyAbleistTherapist

A5: ...at it's core, it sees disability as not inherently bad and sees disabled people as capable of reaching their full potential for happiness and meaningfulness in life. There is a heavy focus on social factors that contribute to disability and access #MyAbleistTherapist

Q6. Ableism and Stigma are really hard to process and look differently depending on your disability. How do you avoid internalizing ableism and stigma to the point that you believe it about yourself? #MyAbleistTherapist #LiveOn Project Kaley Roosen

Q7. Q7. Society sends so many messages that says having a disability is a bad thing. Can you give us any tips for how to combat this in our day-to-day lives? #LiveOn #MyAbleistTherapist Kaley Roosen

Q8. It seems like it’s rare to find a therapist that identifies as being disabled like yourself. Is there any kind of network available that would allow someone to specifically seek out a disabled psychologist? #MyAbleistTherapist Kaley Roosen

Elizabeth Warren #CripTheVote What's your plan to join with orgs like the Live on Project in establishing services 2 promote suicide prevention among people with disabilities, which depending on the disability, is higher than the general population?