Coach Maryam, SMHS — Autism Life Coach

Coach Maryam is a compassionate and highly trained autism life coach who brings both professional expertise and personal understanding of neurodivergence to every session. With a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Disability Management, she has built a deep and versatile foundation for supporting neurodivergent individuals.

Maryam's coaching philosophy is deeply inward-focused. She believes that many of the struggles her clients face stem from a disconnection from themselves—often caused by years of pressure to conform to neurotypical expectations. Her primary goal is to help clients reconnect with their authentic selves, unmask in safe and affirming environments, develop emotional regulation strategies, and build meaningful connections with others.

Her practical toolkit includes habit stacking (building routines to reduce cognitive demand), bottom-up strategy (breaking complex tasks into manageable pieces), and a wide range of coping techniques. She holds multiple certifications including IBCCES Student Mental Health Specialist, Safe Management Crisis Intervention Training, ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Collaborative Problem Solving Training, and Multisensory Environment Therapy Lab Training.

What makes Maryam's coaching especially powerful is her own lived experience with neurodivergence. Having navigated her own path toward self-regulation, independence, and self-acceptance—often without a coach or mentor of her own—she is passionate about helping her clients make progress with greater support and efficiency than she had. She also serves as a parent coach, working with families to strengthen dynamics and understanding.

Maryam specializes in job search and career support, social skills and communication, mental health and emotional regulation, executive function and organization, educational support, and self-understanding and advocacy. The most fulfilling part of her work is witnessing those breakthrough moments of self-discovery that lead to self-compassion, confidence, and genuine growth.

She reminds her clients that patterns are not facts—just because something has happened a certain way in the past does not mean it will always be that way. Feeling stuck often comes from believing the future is already decided, but coaching helps ground you in the present and recognize that change is always possible.

Outside of sessions, Maryam enjoys painting, digital art, video games, fantasy tabletop games, weightlifting, yoga, and spending time with her cat.