Ryn Mitchell

Many find that their own inner strength has been weakened and dimmed through shouldn'ts, couldn'ts, wouldn'ts, don'ts, and no's.
I'm here to say, "yes, you can, and yes, yes you will.”

There is no denying more people are struggling with mental health today than ever before. When I began my journey, transitioning from a preschool teacher to working in the fields of psychology and sociology, one very major thing stood out to me. For too many people, therapy remains either inaccessible, unaffordable, or deeply out of touch with how they actually function day to day. Too often, that gap isn’t just ignored — it’s exploited. There’s an entire industry built around preying on vulnerable people who’ve been priced out of care, offering one-size-fits-all advice wrapped in false promises and aggressive sales tactics. I work in this space because too many people are forced to choose between silence and a care system that was never designed for them in the first place.

And this world wasn't built with neurodivergent people in mind — not in school, not in the workplace, and definitely not in most mental health frameworks. I get asked frequently what tools I have used and the answer is never what people expect. It's not even a tool, it's a mindset. Tools will come and go like diets, new fad apps with colorful adds and temporary squirts of dopamine cheering you on. That you will use daily for three weeks until you miss a day and now you'll never succeed ever... and then suddenly, you discover three yeas later, you forgot to cancel the monthly subscription.

Successfully navigating neurodivergence isn't done through someone handing you tools & apps alone, it is about changing your mindset. From when we are wee we often are told "Why are you like this" and in the moments of confirmation or diagnosis, freeze with the realization "This is why I'm like this." Some take it as a gift, and others face stress and fear. All emotions are valid and so are you. Whether it's your new superpower or your big Sunday Scary, I gotchu boo.

Neurodivergence is truly unique to each of us and there is no one cookie cutter method of coping, or one tool for success that you just haven't heard of yet. I am presence as we exist together, I am structure and I am support, designed to meet people exactly where they are. At the core of everything I do is the belief that showing up is an act of courage, not convenience. The people I work with don’t need to be fixed — they need space to breathe out before they breathe in, the safe space to practice tools that actually fit, and most of all they need someone to listen without judgment - someone who sees their effort without needing them to prove their worth.

Whether it’s a single task to accomplish or a lifelong goal, I’m here to walk with, not ahead. And if all we do today is show up — that’s more than enough. Yay You 🎉

they/them

Volunteer Crisis Counselor
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Remote | August 2024–Present

• Provide real-time emotional support, crisis de-escalation, and safety planning for individuals in acute distress via text-based communication.
• Trained in active listening, trauma-informed care, suicide intervention, and culturally competent support techniques.
• Maintain composure in high-pressure, high-stakes environments while adhering to confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Collaborate with supervisors and team members to ensure quality of care and appropriate escalation when necessary.
• Commit to regular shifts and ongoing professional development through continuing education modules and reflective practice.

PAST VOLUNTEERING:

Volunteer Crisis Counselor
The Trevor Project — Remote | [Start Date]–[End Date]

• Delivered confidential, identity-affirming support to LGBTQ+ youth in crisis through text and chat platforms.
• Applied evidence-based de-escalation techniques and risk assessments for suicide, self-harm, and abuse situations.
• Specialized in supporting youth navigating gender identity, sexual orientation, family rejection, and minority stress.
• Maintained ethical communication, nonjudgmental presence, and trauma-informed engagement during emotionally intense interactions.
• Community Care Cook - Food Bank in Seattle WA
• Evaluated weekly food bank inventory to identify unfamiliar or underutilized ingredients commonly overlooked or discarded. Nobody should go hungry because they don't know how to cook something
• Developed original, cost-effective recipes tailored to available ingredients, with an emphasis on accessibility, minimal equipment, and cultural inclusivity.
• Translated and distributed recipe cards in 12 languages to ensure community-wide comprehension and reduce food waste.
• Bridged gaps between food security and cultural familiarity by empowering recipients with practical, approachable cooking knowledge.