--- title: "On Becoming Yourself: Insights, Reflections and Resources | Michael Holker MSW, RSW" description: Michael Holker, MSW, RSW, is a Registered Social Worker who practices neurodiversity-affirming therapy and is the founder of Becoming Yourself Counselling and Consulting — a virtual practice based in Toronto that serves adults across Ontario. He works with late-diagnosed and self-identified autistic, ADHD, AuDHD and gifted (2e) adults, bringing lived experience of neurodivergence to a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach. He practises alongside Euodia Leung, MSW, RSW, whose focus is anxiety, depression and self-esteem. Book a free 20-minute meet-and-greet. image: https://becomingyourself.com/hubfs/Onbecoming%20yourself%2c%20resources%20for%20ADHD%2c%20Autism%2c%20AuDHD%20and%202e%20Adults-1.webp --- [Skip to main content](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/author/michael-holker-msw-rsw/page/1#main-content) [![Becoming Yourself Logo - Secondary](https://becomingyourself.com/hubfs/Becoming%20Yourself%20Logo%20-%20Secondary.svg) ![Becoming Yourself Logo - Secondary](https://becomingyourself.com/hubfs/Becoming%20Yourself%20Logo%20-%20Secondary.svg) ![Becoming Yourself Logo - Secondary](https://becomingyourself.com/hubfs/Becoming%20Yourself%20Logo%20-%20Secondary.svg) ![Becoming Yourself Logo - Secondary](https://becomingyourself.com/hubfs/Becoming%20Yourself%20Logo%20-%20Secondary.svg)](https://becomingyourself.com) - [Home](https://becomingyourself.com) - [Services & Approach](https://becomingyourself.com/neurodiversity-affirming-therapy-ontario) - [Our Team](https://becomingyourself.com/team) - [Contact](https://becomingyourself.com/contact) - [Blog](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://becomingyourself.com) - [Services & Approach](https://becomingyourself.com/neurodiversity-affirming-therapy-ontario) - [Our Team](https://becomingyourself.com/team) - [Contact](https://becomingyourself.com/contact) - [Blog](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself) - [FREE Meet & Greet](https://becomingyourself.janeapp.com/#/list) [FREE Meet & Greet](https://becomingyourself.janeapp.com/#/list) [Blog](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself) Tags - [Autism](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/tag/autism) - [neurodiversity-affirming therapy](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/tag/neurodiversity-affirming-therapy) - [ADHD](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/tag/adhd) - [Burnout and Masking](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/tag/burnout-and-masking) - [Identity and Self](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/tag/identity-and-self) - [AuDHD](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/tag/audhd) - [Gifted and Twice-Exceptional (2e)](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/tag/gifted-and-twice-exceptional-2e) Search - [Autism](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/tag/autism) - [neurodiversity-affirming therapy](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/tag/neurodiversity-affirming-therapy) - [ADHD](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/tag/adhd) - [Burnout and Masking](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/tag/burnout-and-masking) - [Identity and Self](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/tag/identity-and-self) - [AuDHD](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/tag/audhd) - [Gifted and Twice-Exceptional (2e)](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/tag/gifted-and-twice-exceptional-2e) # Articles By: Michael Holker MSW, RSW Michael Holker, MSW, RSW, is a Registered Social Worker who practices neurodiversity-affirming therapy and is the founder of Becoming Yourself Counselling and Consulting — a virtual practice based in Toronto that serves adults across Ontario. He works with late-diagnosed and self-identified autistic, ADHD, AuDHD and gifted (2e) adults, bringing lived experience of neurodivergence to a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach. He practises alongside Euodia Leung, MSW, RSW, whose focus is anxiety, depression and self-esteem. Book a free 20-minute meet-and-greet. [![A ceramic bowl with a gold-repaired crack rests on a wooden table in soft morning light symbolziing repairing the cracks of the self-critical mind with self-compassion](https://becomingyourself.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SelfCriticalMind.webp?width=365&name=SelfCriticalMind.webp)](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/self-compassion-for-the-self-critical-mind) Nov 2, 2026, 9:03:06 AM ## [Self-Compassion for the Self-Critical Mind: What Mindful Self-Compassion Teaches](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/self-compassion-for-the-self-critical-mind) *By Michael Holker, MSW, RSW · Published November 2026 · Clinically reviewed by* [*Euodia Leung, MSW,...*](https://becomingyourself.com/euodia-leung) [![Five smooth stones balanced on a wooden platform supported by an intricate web of strings, overlooking a peaceful mountain landscape, symbolizing the hidden tension and effort behind high-functioning anxiety.](https://becomingyourself.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HighfunctioningAnxiety.webp?width=365&name=HighfunctioningAnxiety.webp)](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/high-functioning-anxiety-hidden-weight) Oct 25, 2026, 11:06:48 AM ## [The Hidden Weight of High-Functioning Anxiety](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/high-functioning-anxiety-hidden-weight) *By Michael Holker, MSW, RSW · Published October 2026 · Clinically reviewed by* [*Euodia Leung, MSW, RSW*](https://becomingyourself.com/euodia-leung) [![A person reading the room at a dinner table, smiling while their shoulders are tense — people-pleasing as a fawn response](https://becomingyourself.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PeoplePleasingFawnResponse.webp?width=365&name=PeoplePleasingFawnResponse.webp)](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/how-to-stop-people-pleasing-fawn-response) Oct 14, 2026, 9:31:55 PM ## [How to Stop People-Pleasing — When It Once Kept You Safe](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/how-to-stop-people-pleasing-fawn-response) You said yes before you checked whether there was anything left to say yes with. You apologized for... [![Adult relaxing with a journal in a sunlit living room, illustrating self-understanding and wellbeing through neuroaffirming care.](https://becomingyourself.com/hs-fs/hubfs/neuroaffirming-care-adults-self-understanding.webp?width=365&name=neuroaffirming-care-adults-self-understanding.webp)](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/neuroaffirming-care-expert-perspectives) Sep 25, 2026, 8:30:00 AM ## [Neuro-Affirming Care in Practice: 4 Therapists on What Helps](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/neuroaffirming-care-expert-perspectives) Neuroaffirming care is becoming more visible in conversations around autism, ADHD, and AuDHD, late... [![Gifted adult boredom at work — a capable professional staring past a finished task in a quiet office](https://becomingyourself.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GiftedMeaning.webp?width=365&name=GiftedMeaning.webp)](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/gifted-adults-meaningful-work) Sep 18, 2026, 9:00:01 AM ## [When Competence Isn't Enough: Gifted Adults & Meaningful Work](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/gifted-adults-meaningful-work) *By Michael Holker, MSW, RSW · Published August 2026 · Updated October 2026* You might be very good... [![Euodia Leung, MSW, RSW, now accepting new therapy clients across Ontario at Becoming Yourself](https://becomingyourself.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EuodiaLeungRSW%20(1).png?width=365&name=EuodiaLeungRSW%20(1).png)](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/euodia-leung-rsw-joins-becoming-yourself) Sep 3, 2026, 3:05:30 PM ## [Becoming Yourself Is Growing: Euodia Leung, MSW, RSW Has Joined the Practice](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/euodia-leung-rsw-joins-becoming-yourself) *By Michael Holker, MSW, RSW · Published September 2026* **Quick facts** - **Who:** Euodia Leung, MSW, RSW —... [![Gifted adult loneliness — a woman sitting apart, present in the room but feeling unseen](https://becomingyourself.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GiftedLoneliness-1.webp?width=365&name=GiftedLoneliness-1.webp)](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/gifted-adult-loneliness) Sep 1, 2026, 7:50:18 PM ## [The Existential Loneliness of Gifted Adults: Feeling Unseen](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/gifted-adult-loneliness) You might be surrounded by people and still feel like the only one of your kind in the room. Maybe... [![Illustration of a neurodivergent man recovering from burnout, moving from exhaustion toward rest, regulation, and renewed energy.](https://becomingyourself.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BurnoutRecovery.webp?width=365&name=BurnoutRecovery.webp)](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/neurodivergent-burnout-recovery-in-ontario) Aug 15, 2026, 9:00:00 AM ## [Neurodivergent Burnout Recovery: What Healing Takes When Rest Isn’t Enough](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/neurodivergent-burnout-recovery-in-ontario) Neurodivergent burnout is long-lasting exhaustion, lost skills and lowered tolerance for sensory... [![Illustration of an overwhelmed neurodivergent adult experiencing sensory overload from bright lights, noise, and competing sensory input.](https://becomingyourself.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SensoryOverwhelm.webp?width=365&name=SensoryOverwhelm.webp)](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/sensory-overwhelm-in-ontario) Jul 31, 2026, 9:00:00 AM ## [Sensory Overload in ADHD and Autistic Adults: What Helps](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/sensory-overwhelm-in-ontario) If you have ever left a grocery store feeling like your skin is buzzing or ended a workday so... [![Neurodivergent professional masking burnout in Toronto's Financial District corporate towers.](https://becomingyourself.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Maskingburnout.webp?width=365&name=Maskingburnout.webp)](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/masking-burnout-in-toronto-recovery-guide) Jul 15, 2026, 9:00:05 AM ## [When You Can’t Stop Performing: Masking at Work for Neurodivergent Professionals in Toronto](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/masking-burnout-in-toronto-recovery-guide) Masking at work is hiding your natural way of being to fit a neurotypical workplace: rehearsing... [![Adult sitting calmly in a warm therapy-like space with soft natural light and flowing abstract patterns, representing RSD management for neurodivergent adults in Ontario.](https://becomingyourself.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RSD.webp?width=365&name=RSD.webp)](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/rsd-management-for-neurodivergent-adults-in-ontario) Jun 30, 2026, 9:00:02 AM ## [How to Manage RSD: Three Strategies for Neurodivergent Adults](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/rsd-management-for-neurodivergent-adults-in-ontario) *By Michael Holker, MSW, RSW · Updated October 2026* **To manage rejection sensitive dysphoria, name...** [![Illustration of a neurodivergent woman calming a shame spiral with self-compassion, representing ADHD, autism, emotional dysregulation, masking, and nervous system regulation in Ontario](https://becomingyourself.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ShameSpiralinOntario.webp?width=365&name=ShameSpiralinOntario.webp)](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/shame-spirals-in-adhd-autism-ontario) Jun 15, 2026, 7:58:24 AM ## [Shame Spirals in ADHD and Autism: Why and How to Stop Them](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/shame-spirals-in-adhd-autism-ontario) "Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change." — Brené Brown If you... [1](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/author/michael-holker-msw-rsw) [2](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/author/michael-holker-msw-rsw/page/2) [3](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/author/michael-holker-msw-rsw/page/3) [4](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/author/michael-holker-msw-rsw/page/4) [5](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/author/michael-holker-msw-rsw/page/5) [Next](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself/author/michael-holker-msw-rsw/page/2) #### Welcome, We’re glad you’re here. Dive into articles, tools, and insights designed to help you better understand yourself, grow, and feel great. Whether you’re exploring neurodivergence, seeking tips for emotional balance, or simply learning more, we hope these resources support your journey. ###### **Anecdotes and Confidentiality** Personal anecdotes bring ideas to life and foster connection. The identifying details have been changed to ensure confidentiality. These stories illustrate concepts, acknowledging that everyone’s journey is unique. ###### **Disclaimer** This information is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns. I am a registered social worker offering psychotherapy services to Ontario residents.  For a complimentary [Meet & Greet](https://becomingyourself.com/contact) or more on my practice, reach out! We hope these resources help you pursue a more authentic, meaningful life. ![Late-Diagnosed Autism, ADHD puzzle-1-1](https://becomingyourself.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Late-Diagnosed%20Autism%2c%20ADHD%20puzzle-1-1.webp?width=900&height=506&name=Late-Diagnosed%20Autism%2c%20ADHD%20puzzle-1-1.webp "Late-Diagnosed Autism, ADHD puzzle-1-1") [![Becoming Yourself Logo ](https://becomingyourself.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Social%20Media%20Logo%20-%20Secondary%20Light-4.png?width=228&height=87&name=Social%20Media%20Logo%20-%20Secondary%20Light-4.png "Becoming Yourself Logo ")](https://becomingyourself.com/hubfs/BecomingYourselSolidColoursNoWordingTransparent-2.png) 1108 - 250 Consumers Rd. #413 North York, ON M2J4V6 (For Mailing Purposes Only)  Becoming Yourself Counselling and Consulting provides neurodiversity-affirming online therapy for adults across Ontario. Virtual Counselling is available across Ontario, including Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Mississauga, and elsewhere in Ontario. **THERAPY FOR:** [ADHD](https://becomingyourself.com/adhd-therapy-for-adults-in-ontario) [AUTISM](https://becomingyourself.com/autism-therapy-for-adults-in-ontario) [AuDHD](https://becomingyourself.com/audhd-therapy-in-ontario) [Gifted & Neurodivergent (2e)](https://becomingyourself.com/therapy-for-gifted-adults-in-ontario) **DISCOVER:** [Home](https://becomingyourself.com) [Services & Approach](https://becomingyourself.com/neurodiversity-affirming-therapy-ontario) [Our Team](https://becomingyourself.com/team) [Contact](https://becomingyourself.com/contact) [On Becoming Yourself Blog](https://becomingyourself.com/onbecomingyourself) © 2026 Becoming Yourself Counselling and Consulting.  All rights reserved. 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