A Little Off Studios

Let wonder lead you home.[UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Come back soon!]At A Little Off Studios neurodivergent women use art, imagination, and playful self-inquiry to become authors of their personal mythology.In a world that’s not designed for us, we learn to question the things we notice, the things we need, and the way we naturally navigate life. Over time, we lose trust in ourselves, and lose touch with the parts of our inner terrain that make us feel most enchanted and alive. Here, you’ll explore where your sense of self originated, uncover the parts of that story that are ready to be shed, and bring your values and desires back to center.If you feel ready to craft a way of being that feels aligned, empowered, and authentic, welcome!

About AdaEDUCATION
Masters of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, 2015
Masters of Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis, 2015
Bachelors of Cultural Anthropology, Webster University, 2003EXPERIENCE
I began one-on-one work in grad school, helping young and midlife professionals develop and meet wellness goals, including creative self-expression. I continued supporting clients with wellness work informally while I completed a ten-year stint in community development, working with rural and immigrant populations. In 2025 I finally admitted that my heart was still in one-on-one practice, and decided to go all-in on my passion for helping clients that are neurodivergent like myself improve their self-concept through art-making.I’m passionate about this work because of the prominent role artistic expression played in my own self-discovery journey. My late diagnosis caused initial elation. The invisible framework I’d been operating within; the reason things had always felt so off became clear. There’s deep relief in the discovery. But then comes the crash. The “now what?” The “who do I want to be now that I know?” I had a singular north star: my inner spark. The part of me that peeked out when building forts in early childhood, doing theatre as a pre-teen, and going on adventures as a young adult. I wanted to reopen the avenues for that free, sparkly part of myself. My art-making practice gave me a doorway back. When I was creating, I could step away from the need to have everything figured out and simply reconnect with myself.POPULATION FOCUS
Late-diagnosed neurodivergent women, particularly those who've made it to mid-life and are feeling deflated and defeated by the sheer amount of time and effort they’ve invested into fitting-in to get by. Despite all that effort (or maybe because of all that effort), they've found themselves in lives that don't feel good or aligned.I know what it’s like to realize that you’ve been chronically misunderstood, and the about the personal and professional costs of not being able to articulate yourself in a way that breaks through the neurodivergent/neurotypical barrier. I also know what it’s like to self-abandon through excessive masking, people pleasing, and perfectionism. My position is that some masking has its place. It can help to keep us safe. But excessive masking, especially that which takes place amongst your closest people, or in a form that’s wildly out of line with your values, will dull your spark. My goal is to help you rediscover inner self, and your sense of wonder and aliveness.SPECIALTIES
• Late-diagnosed AuDHD, ADHD, and Autism
• Anxiety
• Chronic People Pleasing
• Self-Doubt
• Perfectionism
• Dating & Relationship Challenges
• Life Transitions
• Late BloomersSTYLE OF PRACTICE
My intention is to hold a space that’s neuroaffirming, emotionally-attuned, non-judgmental, steady, safe, and authentic. The relational piece is so important. You should feel free to explore your experiences, past and present, with someone who hears and supports you. Our fit, and the way we connect in the space shapes how we do the work.Sessions will include time for gentle guided questions, and expressive arts exercises to soothe and explore. We will endeavor to untangle the patterns that are keeping you separated from your strongest self-concept. Verbal processing will help us to organize thoughts shape goals, but the crux of the work is in the art.Neurodivergent rumination is real…and debilitating. By utilizing expressive arts, we create space for your suppressed and sparkly parts to come out and play. Throughout our time together, we’ll build on your existing strengths, cultivate a stronger self-concept, and build resourced resilience. My aim is for you to feel confident and at ease being yourself and speaking your truth, and to have a bigger toolbox to help you access that confidence and ease.

ON MY OWN TIME!
When I’m not meeting with clients, I am exploring historic Southeast Pennsylvania & Southern New Jersey with my awesome partner, walking in nature with friends, or off taking photographs of little wondrous, seemingly-unnoticed things on my own. Favorite simple pleasures include: dry clothes after a canoe trip, soft yarn for weaving, vintage paperbacks, colorful harvests from my vegetable garden, silly game nights full of laughter, cats, tall trees, and well-written scripted tv (ask me for a recommendation!). My fictional ND kindred spirits are Anne of Green Gables, Darius Epps, Amélie, Fox Mulder, and Louise Belcher. The thing I value most in my fellow humans is curiosity.

_____I deeply value the role of therapy, but what I offer on this website or in session isn’t therapy, crisis care, or medical treatment. The information on this website is for general informational purposes and does not replace professional mental health care. If you would like guidance on finding a therapist, I have techniques and resources to help discover the best fit for you. If you are in crisis or experiencing an emergency, please contact 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Dating Profile Review(Intro Pricing $75)In the interest of building a business that’s full of neurodivergent multi-passionate joy for myself, this service is also available! By no means do I think that women need to be partnered in order to be happy, or that if they’re interested in dating that they must do so on the apps. On the contrary, just like your self-mythology, your love and dating mythology is yours to craft! I, myself, spent 10 very happy years single before deciding to try dating again.During that journey, romance and dating became a hyperfixation of mine, so profile reviews are a labor of love. I met my partner on Hinge in 2023, when I was well into my forties, and we’ve been having a grand ole time & nearly inseparable since. We moved in together the following year, and feel very lucky to have found love and compatibility at this level.Online dating isn’t the only way to meet someone, or a guaranteed way to meet someone, but it is a useful tool if wielded correctly. I think of using the apps as being much like thrifting. The inventory is vast and wild, and most of it won’t be for you, but there are gems in there if you have patience, know how to search, and quickly let go of the matches that don’t align.The thing that really helped us was how much care we each put into our profiles. That’s how we were able to find each other.I will take your screenshots, along with the detailed answers you give to provide notes and draft a re-write of your profile to be stronger, with more hooks to encourage meaningful conversations with potential matches. I do not and will never use AI or outsource during this process. I will also review your photos, help you put them into the best order, and make detailed suggestions on the best ways to capture new images if that is needed. If you'd like to discuss your review in more detail, you can add a 30-minute 1:1 coaching call for $55 ($130 total for the review and the call). During the call, we'll walk through your profile, answer questions, and create a personalized action plan. Click Review + Profile Overhaul Call for this option.

Work With A Little Off Studios

“Do I need to be a skilled artist to do the exercises?”
Absolutely not! This work is accessible to all skill levels. Even the simplest drawings and paintings can help you to bypass intellectualization, and access your inner voice. Art belongs to all of us.STYLE OF PRACTICE
My intention is to hold a space that’s neuroaffirming, emotionally-attuned, non-judgmental, steady, safe, and authentic. The relational piece is so important. You should feel free to explore your experiences, past and present, with someone who hears and supports you. Our fit, and the way we connect in the space shapes how we do the work.Sessions will include time for gentle guided questions, and expressive arts exercises to soothe and explore. We will endeavor to untangle the patterns that are keeping you separated from your inner self. Dialogue helps us to shape goals, but the crux of the work is in the art.Neurodivergent rumination is real…and debilitating. By utilizing expressive arts, we create space for your suppressed and sparkly parts to come out and play. Throughout our time together, we’ll build on your existing strengths, cultivate a stronger self-concept, and build resourced resilience. My aim is for you to feel confident and at ease being yourself and speaking your truth, and to have a bigger toolbox to help you access that confidence and ease.SPECIALTIES
• Late-diagnosed AuDHD, ADHD, and Autism
• Anxiety
• Chronic People Pleasing
• Self-Doubt
• Perfectionism
• Dating & Relationship Challenges
• Life Transitions
• Late Bloomers

_____
I deeply value the role of therapy, but what I offer on this website or in session isn’t therapy, crisis care, or medical treatment. The information on this website is for general informational purposes and does not replace professional mental health care. If you would like guidance on finding a therapist, I have techniques and resources to help discover the best fit for you. If you are in crisis or experiencing an emergency, please contact 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

A Little Off Studios Coaching AgreementExpressive Arts 1:1 Coaching AgreementThis Coaching Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into on [Date], by and between:Coach: Shannon “Ada” Connelly / A Little Off Studios
Email: [email protected]AndClient: [Your Full Name]
Email: [Your Email]Collectively referred to as “the Parties.”All notices and communications under this Agreement shall be delivered by email to the addresses provided by the parties. Each party is responsible for notifying the other of any change in contact information.1. Purpose of Coaching
The purpose of this Agreement is to define the terms under which the Coach will provide expressive arts coaching services to support the Client’s neurodivergent self-concept, personal growth, creativity, emotional expression, and self-exploration through arts-based modalities.Expressive arts coaching may include (but is not limited to) drawing, painting, writing, collage, journaling, or other creative processes.2. Nature of Services
The Coach provides coaching and creative facilitation services only. These services are:
• Not psychotherapy or counseling
• Not medical, psychological, or psychiatric treatment
• Not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any mental health conditionThe Client understands they are responsible for their own emotional, mental, and physical well-being during and after sessions.If the Client is currently under the care of a mental health professional, they are encouraged to inform them of participation in coaching.3. Session Structure
• Sessions are conducted over Zoom
• Session length is 60 minutes
• Session frequency is weeklyThe Coach may use expressive arts processes tailored to the Client’s goals, including reflection, dialogue, and somatic and creative exercises.4. Client Participation
The Client agrees to:
• Participate willingly in coaching sessions and exercises
• Take responsibility for their own choices and actions
• Use their discretion when engaging in expressive or emotional work
• Communicate boundaries and needs clearly5. Emotional Safety and Boundaries
Expressive arts work may bring up emotional material. Somatic practices may cause gentle activation of nervous system responses (e.g., activation or settling).The Client understands that this coaching may involve:
• Increased awareness of body sensations, emotions, or memories
• Use of movement, stillness, and expressive arts as tools for regulation and explorationThe Client acknowledges:
• They are responsible for self-care during and after sessions
• They may modify, pause, or stop an exercise at any time
• They may prioritize comfort and consent in all practices
• The Coach will not force participation in any activity
• The Coach may suggest grounding or support strategies when appropriate6. Fees and Payment
• Session fee: $125 per session or $440 four-session package rate
• Payment is due at the time of booking
• Payments are processed through the Coach’s designated online payment platform
• Services may be suspended or cancelled if payment is not received7. Cancellations and Rescheduling
• Client must provide at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling
• Late cancellations or no-shows may be charged full fee
• The Coach reserves the right to reschedule with reasonable notice8. Confidentiality
The Coach agrees to maintain confidentiality regarding all Client information shared during sessions, except in the following cases:
• Risk of harm to self or others
• Legal requirement (court order or applicable law)
• Written consent from the Client9. Intellectual Property
All materials, exercises, frameworks, and creative processes provided by the Coach remain the intellectual property of the Coach unless otherwise stated.
The Client may use session insights for personal use only and may not reproduce or distribute proprietary materials without written consent.10. Termination
Either Party may terminate this Agreement at any time by email.The Coach may terminate immediately if the Client engages in abusive, unsafe, or inappropriate behavior, or if the Coach determines coaching is no longer suitable.If the Coach terminates, the Client will receive a prorated refund for any unused prepaid sessions.If the Client terminates, all fees are non-refundable and any unused sessions are not eligible for refund.11. Limitation of Liability
The Client agrees that the Coach is not liable for any direct or indirect outcomes resulting from participation in coaching sessions. The Client assumes full responsibility for their own decisions and actions.12. No Guarantees
The Client understands that coaching is a collaborative process and no specific outcomes or results are guaranteed.13. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any disputes shall be brought in the courts located in Pennsylvania.14. Entire Agreement
This document represents the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes any prior discussions or agreements.Any amendments must be made in writing and signed by both Parties.15. Acknowledgment and Consent
By signing below, both Parties acknowledge they have read, understood, and agree to the terms of this Expressive Arts Coaching Agreement.

What is A Little Off Studios?I use one-on-one coaching to guide neurodivergent women in a dual art practice:
—Learning to use art as a soothing stim.
—And exploring the self-reflective language of art to communicate with your deeper self, strengthen your sense of agency, and guide you toward your inherent inner magic.If...—You’re done being defined by lenses that are not your own
—You twist yourself into a pretzel in order to meet outside expectations
—You get stuck in rumination or shame loops
—You struggle with purpose or direction
—You’ve lost your sense of wonder and aweAnd you yearn to…—Trust yourself more deeply
—Make decisions with less anguish
—Show up for yourself where you once felt unsupported
—Edit your mask so that it’s in closer alignment with your values.
—Design a life shaped by intentionThen you will feel at home at A Little Off Studios.Intellectualization keeps us stuck, but creativity moves us forward. When neurodivergent creativity is neglected, we become estranged from ourselves. Our minds are busy, associative, and ever-buzzy. When that energy is stifled, it turns into anxiety or a state of deep freeze. We become immobilized, switching between overthinking and endlessly consuming other people's content.Unexpressed creativity needs direction! It needs an outlet. Humans have always made artful objects because making meaning is part of what it means to be human. We come from a long tradition of people who stitched, carved, painted, collaged, embroidered, scribbled, decorated, and adorned the world around them. To create is to join the long-standing human ritual of meaning-making.The neurodivergent experience is deeply relational. It’s influenced by the people, settings, and systems that surround us. When we can learn to step back and create an inner experience that is no longer dismissed or distorted by our surroundings, we gain the power to become our own myth-makers. The stories we tell ourselves about who we are shape what's possible for us. If your personal myth no longer feels true or doesn’t align with your values, playing in art-making offers a way to revise it through curiosity, experimentation, and imagination.Women who discover their neurodivergence in midlife often find that they want to un-shrink, and come back to themselves. They want to do so in a way that’s meaningful and powerful, but also thoughtful and deliberate. Creativity is the key to that returning.In our practice we will explore art-making as a mechanism for self-soothing, and also for personal inquiry. You might be surprised how quickly art helps you see both old and emerging versions of yourself from different angles. Sometimes the things you can't yet say with words become obvious once you've made them with your hands.You are so many things. Explore them here. Stay curious. Take chances. Get messy. We’ll follow what delights you, what frustrates you, what soothes you, and what draws more wonder into your life.

Mission
To help neurodivergent women become authors of their own mythology and self-concept through art-making, imagination, and playful self-inquiry.Vision
A world increasingly shaped by neurodivergent women’s voices because they’ve learned to trust their inner selves and step into grounded self-confidence.Values
• Self-authorship. You get to write your own mythology.
• Re-enchantment. Wonder and awe are avenues to better understandings of ourselves.
• Creativity as a birthright. Art belongs to everyone, not just skilled artists.
• Neuroaffirming. This is a space for your messy, loud, sensitive, full self.
• Curiosity as a practice. We make room for exploration and complexity.
• Play as essential. Experimentation reveals truths that analysis alone cannot.
• Creation dampens rumination. Energy moves when our hands are busy.

_____
I deeply value the role of therapy, but what I offer on this website or in session isn’t therapy, crisis care, or medical treatment. The information on this website is for general informational purposes and does not replace professional mental health care. If you would like guidance on finding a therapist, I have techniques and resources to help discover the best fit for you. If you are in crisis or experiencing an emergency, please contact 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.