Life. Is. HARD! As a psychologist, I often say I am in the “business of hope.” But what is hope? And how do we have it authentically when it feels like the world is increasingly chaotic, unfair, and cruel? This talk will focus on what hope truly is from a psychological standpoint and explore how to apply it meaningfully to our lives. I also will talk about the importance of hope from a neurodiversity perspective. We will also identify potential barriers towards having hope and workshop solutions to overcome those challenges.

BIO: Matthew Zakreski, PsyD is a high energy, creative clinical psychologist who utilizes an eclectic approach to meet the needs of his neurodiverse clients. He is proud to serve as a consultant, a professor, a speaker at national and international conferences, and a researcher on Giftedness. Dr. Zakreski is a member of Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted and the National Association for Gifted Children, as well as Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education and the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children. Dr. Zakreski is the co-founder and lead clinician at The Neurodiversity Collective.