Meet Our Team - Catherine Mutti-Driscoll
Catherine Mutti-Driscoll, MA, PhD, CALC
Position at the Hallowell Todaro ADHD Center:
ADHD and Executive Function Coach
How long have you been working at Hallowell Todaro ADHD?
Since May 2020
Where did you grow up?
Madison, Wisconsin
What are your favorite books / TV shows / movies?
I enjoy contemporary romance / chick lit and romantic comedy movies. For books, my favorites are The Bride Test and The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. I love these books because they uniquely feature neurodiverse female characters. A couple of my favorite movies include The Holiday and Love Actually.
Complete the following sentences:
When I’m not at work, you can find me...
parenting my two sons, age 9 and 5.
When I want to de-stress, I...
take a walk, chat with a close friend/my spouse, read a real book/listen to an audiobook, watch a movie, get a massage, or take a bubble bath.
My favorite time of year is...
fall, midwest style with sunshine, leaves changing, and cozy sweaters :-)
My favorite thing to cook is...
take out! Just kidding….sort of :-)
The best gift I ever received was…
my engagement ring...I love the simple classic design! :-)
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I’d go to...
a tour of Europe because I haven’t done that yet!
What led you to pursue a career helping others?
I believe in human potential. I believe that everyone, regardless of their particular strengths and challenges, should have access to/support in working towards their most awesome life. I am someone who is always learning and trying new things and I love to bring this experience to my work with clients. Together, my clients and I are able to learn more about ADHD and the strategies for optimizing their strengths, interests, and goals. Coaching is an inspiring collaborative process!
What education, skills, and expertise do you bring to your role?
I have spent a lot of time in school because I enjoyed it! :-) I have a Bachelor's in Human Development and Social Relations from Earlham College, a Master's Degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Oregon, and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Washington.
After I learned about the neurodiversity in my own family in 2017, I began learning as much as I could and orienting my career in this direction. I became a Certified ADHD Life Coach (CALC) in October 2019 after completing training at Laurie Dupar’s IACT Center, and then began my own coaching business upon graduation. I also completed a Leadership in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) Fellowship at the Center on Human Development and Disability at the University of Washington in 2019-2020. I continue to work part-time at the University of Washington as the ECHO Autism Washington Coordinator, coordinating a training program that shares best practices about how to diagnose and treat Autism with doctors and nurses across Washington state. Finally, I became a certified Sanity School Parent Trainer in February 2020.
Who/what inspires you?
I am an avid reader about neurodiversity, personal development, and women’s issues. Four books that have meant a lot to me include Glennon Doyle's Untamed, Radical Compassion by Tara Brach, The Power of Receiving by Amanda Owen, and A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD by Sari Solden and Michelle Frank (just to name a few!). I organize a monthly Meetup Group that reads chapters of the Radical Guide workbook together. These sessions have attracted an inspiring group of women!
What’s your personal philosophy/approach toward the work you do?
I believe that my clients are creative, resourceful, and whole, and definitely do not need to be “fixed”! I believe that my clients are the experts in themselves and that they have many of the tools they need to be successful already inside of them. However, for many of us, even when we know what will work for us, it can be difficult to implement that knowledge without encouragement, reminders, and accountability from an outside source. By asking questions to generate self-reflection and sharing helpful ADHD resources, I provide the support that my neurodiverse clients need to move forward toward their most important life goals.
What is one small thing people can do to improve their lives and increase their happiness?
Do your best to learn about, accept, and be your authentic self. It can sometimes be difficult to uncover and be true to one’s authenticity since many of us have received negative messages about who we are and the particular aspects of ourselves that do not meet others’ neurotypical expectations. As Judy Garland encourages, “Always be a first rate version of yourself rather than a second rate version of someone else.” I encourage you, to the best of your ability, to go forth and be you! :-)
We provide coaching and therapy to help people manage a variety of cognitive and emotional conditions.