About Erin McCarthy Shaw
My Approach

Families and adults often arrive here because something doesn't quite add up—clear strengths alongside persistent challenges that resist a tidy explanation.
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Neurodivergence is the recognition that minds don't all develop along the same path. Some take side roads, some move ahead too quickly or pause where others pass through, and some arrive at insight by routes that are less traveled—but no less valid. This understanding shapes everything I do.
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I don't believe in forcing complex people into rigid diagnostic categories. Instead, I look for patterns across development, experience, history, and context—building a coherent profile that honors the full picture of who you are. Diagnoses may offer useful language and access to support, but they never define you.
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Assessment is about collaborating around your story. I gather information from multiple sources: developmental history, interviews, standardized cognitive and achievement testing, behavioral observation, and input from the people who know you best—family, partners, educators, or colleagues. Nothing is considered in isolation. Every piece matters.
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The goal is always clarity and understanding—not just diagnosis.
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You'll receive a report that makes sense, feedback that connects the dots, and concrete guidance for moving forward. The process asks a lot of you, but most people describe something unexpected at the end: relief. Often for the first time, their full story has been gathered, honored, and understood as a whole.
My Background & Training
Professional Training and Education
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Clinical Neurosciences Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare System & Yale School of Medicine
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Yale-New Haven Hospital
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Yale Child Study Center
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Yale University School of Nursing - Master of Science in Nursing, Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing
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University at Buffalo, the State University of New York - Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
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Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Bachelor of Arts in Scottish Music (Piping)
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Continuing Education
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MindfulU Level I and Level II Certification; Advanced Training in Gifted and 2e Assessment
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Academic Appointments and Teaching
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Assistant Clinical Professor, Yale School of Nursing (2026)
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Guest Lecturer, Yale School of Nursing (2024–2026)
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APRN Licenses
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New York (402324)
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Connecticut (5414)
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Vermont (101.0136434TELE – telehealth only)
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Memberships
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American Psychiatric Nurses Association
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Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted