A Little Off Studios

[UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Come back soon!] Hi! I'm Ada. Welcome.I help late-identified neurodivergent women recalibrate toward the inner spark that went missing while they were masking. As neurodivergent women we deserve to find ways to feel whole again, and to decide who exactly we want to be going forward. At A Little Off Studios we use art for its incredible powers of mirroring and self-discovery.

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 their wellness goals, including artistic 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 to myself that my heart was still in one-on-one practice, and decided to go all-in on my long time-passion of of helping clients through expressive arts.POPULATION FOCUS
Late-diagnosed neurodivergent women (and AFAB folks), particularly those who made it to mid-life, looked around, and went, “what the fuck?!” I know what it’s like to realize that you’ve been chronically misunderstood, and the personal and professional costs of not being able to articulate yourself in a way that breaks through the ND/NT 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 in your own home, amongst your closest people, or on your own time, will dull your spark. My goal is to help you rediscover yourself.SPECIALTIES
• AuDHD, ADHD, and late-diagnosed 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, expressive arts exercises to get you out of your thinking brain, and somatic techniques to soothe what comes up. We will endeavor to untangle the patterns that are keeping you separated from your true self. Dialogue helps us to shape goals, but the crux of the work is in the art. Many ND women are already painfully self-aware. Neurodivergent rumination is real…and debilitating. By utilizing expressive arts and somatics, 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 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, Amélie, Sookie St. James, Fox Mulder, and Linda 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)Romance and dating are a hyperfixation of mine, so profile reviews are a labor of love. I met my partner on Hinge in 2023, when I was 44, and we’ve been having a grand ole time & nearly inseparable since. We moved in together 2024, and happily share a 600 square foot space, so something’s working! A lot of people claim online dating (OLD) is dead, and they were saying that in 2023 also. That wasn’t true for us, and it doesn’t have to be for you. OLD 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 put a lot of care into my profile, and so did my partner, and 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 your profile to be stronger, with more hooks to encourage 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.



“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 old habits of masking, silence the thinking brain, and access your inner voice.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, expressive arts exercises to get you out of your thinking brain, and somatic techniques to soothe what comes up. We will endeavor to untangle the patterns that are keeping you separated from your true self. Dialogue helps us to shape goals, but the crux of the work is in the art. Many ND women are already painfully self-aware. Neurodivergent rumination is real…and debilitating. By utilizing expressive arts and somatics, 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 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
• AuDHD, ADHD, and late-diagnosed 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?In this container neurodivergent women use the self-reflective language of art to communicate with our inner-selves, strengthen our sense of agency, and guide us toward our inherent inner magic.If…—You’ve been masking for so long, you don’t know who you are anymore.
—You don’t know how to rebuild self-trust.
—You struggle with your sense of purpose or direction.
—You get stuck in rumination or shame loops.
—You don’t know what’s next, but you can’t stay in the status quo.And…—You want to re-open a conversation with your inner-self.
—You want to access your lost sense of wonder and empowerment.
—You want to love the way you see yourself without the mask.Then you will feel at home at A Little Off Studios.For late-identified neurodivergent women, our self-concept is so often obscured by the expectations of others. This is especially true in the years or decades before discovery or diagnosis. But now that we know, reclaiming who we will transform into is squarely within our power. There’s joy and possibility in that. But first we have to become reacquainted with that inner knowing that’s been lost.Discovery of neurodivergence in mid-life often causes initial elation because the invisible framework we’ve been operating within; the reason things haven’t felt quite right for the last few decades becomes clear: it was our beautiful, complicated, sometimes-debilitating neurodivergence all along. 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?” It’s not as if perfectionism and people-pleasing have magically disappeared. We’re left with painful self-awareness, grief, and confusion. So what IS next?For me, I knew I couldn’t change everything at once. But I had a singular north star: my inner spark. The part of me that peeked out when building forts in my childhood, doing theatre as a pre-teen, and going on adventures as a young adult. The spark hadn’t ever been there all the time, and I don’t expect it to be now, but I wanted to reopen the avenues for that part of myself – that free, sparkly part – to reappear as often as she liked. Who I would be going forward was someone who not only made room for her, but embraced her, and improved my self-concept around her.Much (but not all!) of the expressive art we do at A Little Off Studios is watercolor-based, and there’s good reason for that. Getting out of our thinking minds is key to uncovering our inner spark. For many neurodivergent women, water is a conduit to feeling like ourselves. We’re the bog witches, sea hags, and river nymphs. We’ve noticed that we have a stronger connection to water than our peers. It’s one of the things we’ve been called “odd” for. But it doesn’t stop us because we can’t get enough. We get a shiver of awareness when we hear a thunderclap in the distance, we feel resonance when we dip our toe in a river or pool, and our busy mind finally quiets when we feel the rhythm of the sea in the sand beneath our feet. Watercolors allow us to play in that magic every day, right in our homes, and use the art for its incredible powers of mirroring and self-discovery. The art helps us connect with our inner voices in a way that our thinking brains just can’t access.