Yulika Forman, PhD, LMHC
The Informal Introduction
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Hello, I am so glad that you have found my page. Instead of starting with my work history and credentials, I wanted to introduce myself and some of the people and creatures that I love, as well as the place where I live and things I love to do.
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I live in the Boston area with my three children and two cats. I love being outdoors, and am most passionate about cycling, downhill skiing, running, rock climbing, and hiking. I also enjoy art, reading, live theater, movies, and baking. I bring a lot of energy to everything I do, and that includes my work.
As a professional working in the disability space, I started out working with children. I work with many disabilities and in addition have a strong interest in autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and other related conditions.
I absolutely love working with families and helping them figure out what their children need in order to thrive and how to make it happen. It bothers me when children do not get the right services and accommodations, and are misunderstood in school. I feel lucky to do work that I am truly passionate about. I think that it is this passion, along with my extensive expertise and deep commitment to my work, that make me an effective professional.
Over time, I have become aware of the challenges that adults have finding neuroaffirming supports, and about five years ago I started working with adults as well. Since then, I have has the privilege of supporting many neurodivergent adults through the process of questioning their diagnosis, receiving a diagnosis, figuring out their social relationships, understanding and accepting their autism, figuring out their needs and helpful accommodations, learning to self-advocate, managing energy levels, preventing and managing meltdowns, etc.
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I hope you poke around on my website and come back many times. Please find my social medial links at the bottom of this page. My Instagram and Facebook accounts give a good sense of my work philosophy, as well as who I am as a person.
Please email, call, or text if I can be of help. I am easy to talk to :) Hope to hear from you soon!
The Formal Introduction
I have worked in what is known as the "disability field" for the past twenty years, as a psychotherapist and special education consultant and advocate. I have deep expertise with conditions such as autism, ADHD, "AuDHD, " communication disorders, sensory integration and processing disorder, specific learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, gender dysphoria, depression, anxiety and many other conditions.
My background is multi-disciplinary, which I find incredibly valuable in my work. I am trained as a clinician, rehabilitation counselor, and developmental psychologist. Over the years, I sought out extensive knowledge of the conditions I work with, including the very important piece: understanding the lived experience. I have moved from being trained in a deficit model to being deeply committed to strength-based, neurodivesity paradigm, while still comfortably navigating the legally defined disability spaces in schools, universities, and workplaces. ​
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I received a PhD in Human Development in 2005 from Tufts University, Master’s degree in Mental Health and Rehabilitation counseling in 1999 and BA in Psychology in 1997 from the University of South Florida. I have also completed the Federation for Children with Special Needs Parent Advocate Training (Boston, MA), Fundamentals of Special Education course, Suffolk University School of Law (Boston, MA), Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Bootcamp, as well as multiple other special education law and clinical trainings. I have worked as an advocate in over 40 school districts in MA and in more than 20 other states, attended hundreds of IEP meetings and reviewed countless IEP proposals, public school evaluations, as well as neuropsychological and other private evaluations.
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As a clinician, I am trained in Trauma-focused CBT, somatic approaches to treating trauma, Internal Family Systems, as well CBT and CBT specifically for OCD and Anxiety. I adjust using these methodologies to my clients' needs and preferences. My approach to therapy is collaborative and supportive. I am in the process of getting trained in conducting neuroaffimring autism and ADHD assessments, and should be offering them starting January 2025.
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If I can be of assistance, please email, call, or text me. I am easy to talk to :) Hope to hear from you soon!
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