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Biography
Dr. Gaines is a counseling psychologist with over a decade of experience in clinical practice, specializing in assessment, as well as college-level psychology instruction. She is herself a late-identified autistic adult and has neurodivergent immediate family members. She is passionate about ensuring that accurate and neurodiversity-affirming information about autism is available and accessible for autistic individuals and others in their lives, as well as to broader society. She loves to focus on the many and varied strengths that autistic individuals have to offer to the world.
Education
PhD in Counseling Psychology from Texas Tech University
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Texas Tech University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of the South
Certifications
I am a licensed psychologist in the states of Alabama and Texas. I also have Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology, which allows me to practice telepsychology in all PSYPACT states.
Area of Expertise
Psychological Assessment
Adult Autism Assessment
Psychotherapy
Psychological Education
Modalities
Client-Centered
Mindfulness-Based
Cognitive-Behavioral
Neurodiversity-Affirming
Affiliations
Research and Publications
Gaines, M.V., Giles, C.L., & Morgan, R.D. (2013). The detection of feigning using multiple PAI scale elevations: A new index. Assessment, 20(4), 437-447. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191112458146
Gaines, M.V., Frederick, R.I., & Giles, C.L. (2009, March). Validating the SIRS using Mixed Groups Validation using the M-FAST as an estimator of base rate. In R.I. Frederick (Chair), Validating Tests without Criterion Groups [Symposium]. The American Psychology-Law Society, San Antonio, TX.
Gaines, M.V., Giles, C.L., Morgan, R.D., & Steffan, J. (2007, August). The combined use of the M-FAST and PAI in the detection of malingering among inmates [Poster presentation]. American Psychological Association, San Francisco, California
How to Help with Autism Brain Fog: Effective Strategies for Autistic Adults
Has your brain ever felt fuzzy or exhausted––like it’s moving through molasses to complete basic tasks or remember something? If so, you’ve likely experienced brain fog. People use the term “brain fog” to describe mental fatigue, forgetfulness, impaired executive function and increased effort to do daily tasks.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and brain fog tend to go hand in hand since there’s some overlap between symptoms of brain fog and autistic traits, which can trap autistic adults in an exhausting cycle.
Brain fog has several causes and manifests differently for different people. While some may experience executive dysfunction or memory difficulties, others may find themselves struggling more with fatigue or social anxiety. Just like other facets of autism, brain fog doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why it’s important for autistic adults to feel empowered to create individualized solutions for the challenges that brain fog presents.
Read on to learn some potentially effective strategies for autistic adults to reduce brain fog.
How to Set Boundaries as an Autistic Adult: A Comprehensive Guide
Boundaries are essential for maintaining emotional well-being and mental health. They protect personal space and help foster healthier relationships. Effective boundaries define what’s acceptable and what’s unacceptable in your relationships.
For adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), setting and enforcing boundaries is an empowering form of self-advocacy that can reduce stress, prevent autistic burnout and create a sense of control over one’s life.
Read on to learn about effective healthy boundaries and how to set boundaries as an autistic adult.
Understanding Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria in Autism: A Guide for Autistic Adults
Do you ever feel intense emotional pain when faced with the slightest bit of criticism? Or, does rejection send you into a spiral of shame and avoidance? For some people, these are signs of rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD).
Rejection sensitive dysphoria is an intense emotional response to perceived rejection, criticism, or failing to meet expectations. In both autistic and allistic (non-autistic) people, it manifests as an acute sensitivity to rejection, often leading to feelings of deep emotional pain, anxiety or depression when an individual believes they’ve been dismissed or judged negatively.
For autistic individuals, RSD may manifest differently than typical rejection sensitivity. Emotion regulation challenges may mean that their emotional response to perceived rejection can be more intense and long-lasting, often leading to avoidance of social situations or heightened anxiety about relationships and social interactions. This can create a cycle where fear of rejection limits opportunities for connection and support. Differences in social communication, such as struggling to interpret nonverbal and other social cues, could also exacerbate RSD for autistic adults.
Read on to learn more about RSD, its psychological impacts and how to cope.