My passion and interest in mental health for the gifted stems from both my clinical experience as well as my lived experience as a gifted adult. As the daughter of an educator of gifted children, I also grew up with an awareness of cuts to gifted education programs, something which has made the need for advocacy all the more significant. Books like The Gifted Adult and the Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children confirmed much of what I have seen in clinical practice over the years and underscored my belief that the gifted community is often overlooked and underserved. I have worked with several clients who have been either misdiagnosed, misunderstood, or both. When combined with systemic issues like sexism and/or racism, gifted individuals can feel profoundly alienated and unsupported. Because gifted kids and teens are often quite sensitive, this can lead to seeking solace in substances or alcohol, which can further compound their difficulties. Instead of being helped and receiving support and mentorship for their unique gifts and talents, gifted individuals who have fallen into substance use or drinking risk being seen as criminals or slackers, when they are anything but that. Good Will Hunting, one of my favorite films, does an excellent job of portraying the struggle faced by many gifted individuals who struggle with emotional challenges; often they face a choice between being loyal to friends and reaching to fulfill their potential. This conflict, especially when it is not recognized as one and is occurring in one’s teens or early twenties, can create a tremendous amount of distress and anxiety. Additionally, I have observed parents struggling to find help for their children, teenagers or young adult children who are often excelling academically but struggling socially or interpersonally due to interests that don’t necessarily align with their peers. And, while gifted children may be capable of functioning on a cognitive or intellectual level that may be years beyond their actual age, we know that their social and emotional development is of course not as rapid, which can create a unique cluster of symptoms and difficulties. I am passionate about working with gifted clients because they are often so rewarding to work with; the intensity and sensitivity that defines gifted children, when channeled properly, can lead to incredible accomplishments. It has been incredibly fulfilling to work with gifted clients who, over time, go from seeing themselves as failures to seeing themselves as unique and more than capable.