A woman with shoulder-length dark hair and light skin, wearing colorful floral glasses, a white cardigan, and a floral top, taking a selfie in an indoor office or study space with bookshelves and a desk in the background.

About Ashley Zapata, MA, LVN, CDP


Author | Educator | Doctoral Student in Clinical Psychology

Hi, I'm Ashley!

I created Your Brain Explained because I believe knowledge is power and I want to empower others to thrive in life!

As a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), author, neurodivergent educator, and advocate, helping others has always been at the heart of my work. I hold a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and am currently pursuing my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD), where my education, research, and clinical training continue to deepen my understanding of neurodiversity, cognition, mental health, and the aging brain.

As my education, clinical experiences, and lived experience as a neurodivergent individual grew, so did my passion for understanding the human brain. I've seen firsthand how confusing diagnoses and brain differences can feel—for individuals, families, caregivers, educators, and even professionals. That passion ultimately inspired me to create Your Brain Explained, where I strive to make these topics discussed here more approachable and empower others through education.

My mission is to make complex topics like ADHD, autism, dementia, and executive functioning easier to understand through evidence-based education, practical resources, and compassionate communication.

Through my books & educational information sheets, my goal is to bridge the gap between science and everyday life. Whether you're trying to better understand yourself, support a loved one, or expand your professional knowledge, I hope you'll find resources that leave you feeling more informed, more confident, and empowered to thrive.

I believe knowledge reduces fear, understanding builds compassion, and education empowers people to thrive.

I'm so glad you're here, and I hope these resources help you on your journey toward understanding the incredible complexity of the human brain.

*Disclaimer: All content on this website, including text, graphics, images, and tools, is for educational, informational, and self-advocacy purposes ONLY. Ashley is a doctoral PsyD student; however, the information on this site does not constitute psychological advice, therapy, diagnosis, or medical treatment. Use of this site does not establish a professional-client or supervisor-student relationship. Always seek the advice of a qualified, licensed healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or psychological condition.

Have a Suggestion/Comment About My Books?

I’d love to hear from you!

If you've read A Brain Like Mine or The Dementia Care Journey and have a suggestion for a future guidebook, or would like to leave me a personal review please send me a message below.

Your experiences help shape the resources I create for individuals, families, caregivers, and neurodivergent minds!