May Monthly Mental Health Spotlight: From Isolation to Impact, A Mental Health Journey (Archived)

 

⚠️ Trigger Warning

This post contains references to bullying, emotional abuse, suicidal ideation, and psychiatric treatment. Some readers may find these experiences distressing. Please take care while reading and reach out for support if needed.

This month’s Mental Health Spotlight features a deeply personal story from licensed professional counselor, podcast host, and author Sonia Krishna Chand. In this post, Sonia offers a powerful reflection on the experiences that shaped her passion for mental health advocacy and her path to becoming a psychotherapist.

Her honest and heartfelt account reminds us of the resilience it takes to move through adversity and the importance of creating space for others to heal.

From Misdiagnosis to Mental Health Advocate: My Journey to Becoming a Therapist on the Autism Spectrum

By Sonia Krishna Chand, LPC

April 21, 2025

Why I Chose to Work in Mental Health

My inspiration to work in the mental health field and become a psychotherapist was based on my own life experiences.

I am on the autism spectrum and didn’t get diagnosed until I was 20.

Growing up, I was mislabeled with:

1. A learning disability
2. ADHD
3. Depression
4. Anxiety
5. Emotional handicap

I was bullied constantly because I couldn’t catch social cues. I was set up to be made fun of due to my lack of social skills.

In elementary school:

1. I was laughed at often
2. Rarely invited to birthday parties
3. Felt the beginning of social exclusion

By 5th grade, the girl groups had formed, and people I once considered friends in 3rd grade slowly distanced themselves.

The bullying intensified in middle school. One day during passing period, I made up a cheer about a guy I liked. Some classmates saw and laughed. I thought I was making friends. Instead, that cheer became a cruel lunchtime ritual.

I didn’t realize they were laughing at me, not with me. One girl tried to warn me, but I brushed her off, so eager was I to feel included.

After performing in a halftime show, some boys surrounded me and pressured me to “do the cheer.” They chanted, “Do it, do it, do it.”

My mom stepped in and reported the incident, but the assistant principal dismissed it, saying I “liked” the attention.

Shortly after, I was placed on a mandatory leave of absence from school. My depression had reached an all-time high. I spoke about suicide often and even mentioned fake attempts.

A psychiatrist decided not to hospitalize me but instead placed me on Lithium after a second school meeting. The school wanted to send me to a program for troubled youth.

Staying in the district came at a cost:

1. I had to be escorted to and from class
2. I couldn’t eat in the cafeteria
3. I needed daily behavioral sheets signed or I wasn’t allowed in class

The alienation and isolation only deepened.

Therapy during that time didn’t help. The psychiatrist focused only on school conflicts. There was no space for processing trauma or working on social skills. He viewed me as a “bad child,” someone who needed scolding, not support.

In 9th grade, I started seeing a new therapist who helped initially. She taught me how to be assertive, but she later crossed boundaries.

She tried to facilitate a friendship between me and someone she knew socially. That friendship ended badly, and so did my therapy. The therapist blamed me for being “immature” and called me “unworthy of friendship” in our final session.

Despite this toxic environment, I graduated from high school with honors and went on to college.

My school had once told my parents I’d be “lucky to make it to 8th grade,” but I proved them wrong.

I later wrote a memoir, Dropped in a Maze, where I detail my journey pre- and post-diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. I also share lessons that resonate with everyone, on or off the spectrum.

Now, I host a podcast, On the Spectrum with Sonia, available on all platforms.

My work as a therapist is deeply personal. I want no one to feel as alone as I did. My pain led me to my purpose: helping others feel seen, supported, and whole.

What I Wish People Knew About Therapy

1. Therapy is a safe space, not a sign of weakness
2. It’s not about hearing what you want to hear—it’s about learning tools to care for yourself
3. Therapists are human too; we struggle, we reflect, and we grow
4. Vulnerability is part of the work for both client and clinician

My Self-Care in Practice

Self-care for me is personalized.

1. I’m a passionate runner and I’ve completed 14 marathons and 2 ultra-marathons
2. I’m training for my 15th marathon in NYC this fall (my favorite one!)
3. I love podcasting because it connects me with others and encourages shared storytelling

I truly believe stories make us feel less alone.

A Mental Health Misconception I Want to Debunk

The biggest misconception?

That people with autism have to “look autistic.” There’s no one way autism looks.

People often assume that if someone learns a skill, their autism must be “gone.” In reality, those of us on the spectrum often work very hard to practice what comes naturally to others.

And while diagnoses in children are rising, let’s not forget about adults with autism. We, too, need visibility, resources, and support.

Final Thoughts

🌟 My journey to becoming a therapist is deeply intertwined with the struggles I faced growing up undiagnosed.

💬 I want my clients to know they are not alone, just as I wish someone had told me.

💡 Stories have power. They heal, connect, and remind us that even in our darkest moments, we can rise.

Tags:

Sonia's Bio:

Sonia Krishna Chand, LPC

Podcast Host of On the Spectrum with Sonia is available on all audio platforms

Author of Memoir Dropped in a Maze

https://amzn.to/4hmvZ9a

soniakrishnachand.net

Thank you for stopping by! Until next time, remember that you are not alone in your feelings or experiences. I've got your back! For more updates, click here.

Disclaimer for Monthly Mental Health Spotlight:

The guests featured in the Monthly Mental Health Spotlight on Darkness to Dialogue: Living Well with Mental Illness share their personal experiences and insights about mental health. Their stories are meant to inspire, raise awareness, and foster dialogue. 

Please note that the views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or recommendations of Darkness to Dialogue. We encourage readers to seek professional guidance if they are struggling with mental health concerns. This platform is not a substitute for professional therapy or medical advice.