Kelsey Ward is a licensed clinical supervisor and mental health counselor with expertise in assessment, gender-affirming care, and clinical supervision. Their practice centers on affirming care for LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent adults. They have observed that masking, misdiagnosis, and identity-related barriers often delay neurodivergent identification in queer clients. Kelsey’s clinical work is supported by an academic background in teaching counseling ethics and professional development at the graduate level, with a focus on integrating current research and equity frameworks into training. They also advocate for LGBTQIA+ communities at state and national levels, which informs their approach to both practice and education. These combined experiences enable them to address this topic from clinical, educational, and social justice perspectives.