Embracing Neurodivergence with Affirming Therapy
What does it mean to be neurodivergence-affirming in the context of therapy?
Neurodivergence-affirming therapy means I see your autism or ADHD as a fundamental and wonderful part of who you are - not as something to fix, cure, or overcome.
It means:
Your way of being is valid. You don't have to translate yourself, suppress how your body wants to move, or make facial expressions or hold eye contact.
We work with your nervous system, not against it. Meltdowns and shutdowns aren't failures; they're nervous system responses that make sense given your experiences and neurobiology.
Your goals guide our work. I don't impose neurotypical benchmarks of success. We define what thriving looks like for you.
Accommodations are standard, not special. Fidgeting, moving, looking away (or asking me to), turning the video off, requesting written summaries - these are all welcome in our work together.
What is it like to work with a neurodivergent therapist?
There's less explaining. You don't have to justify why talking feels draining or why certain sounds are infuriating. I understand autistic burnout, sensory overwhelm, time agnosia, and the exhaustion of masking.
I model unmasking. I often stim during sessions. I'm direct and imperfect in my communication. I acknowledge when I need to take a moment to process. I reflect back what I’ve heard to ensure it matches what you meant. I have a strong orientation towards justice and inclusion.
Authenticity over performance. You don't need to perform being a "good client." You're invited to show up as you’re able and comfortable to, defenses and all.
Flexibility is built in. Whether you need adaptability or a predictable and externally enforced structure, shorter sessions or longer processing time, creative expression or traditional talk - our work is shaped to best support you.
Sensory considerations matter. Even virtually, my space is designed with neurodivergent comfort in mind: low lighting, minimal visual clutter, encouragement of fidgets and movement, flexibility around positioning.
Predictability and transparency. I'm clear about session structure, what to expect, and any changes in advance. I explain my clinical thinking and collaborate openly with you.
Trauma therapy that understands neurodivergent nervous systems
As neurodivergent people, we often carry complex trauma from a lifetime of being misunderstood, othered, pressured to conform, or from experiencing sensory and emotional overwhelm without having access to reprieve. Standard trauma therapy approaches often miss how our nervous systems work differently, or the specific texture of our lived experiences.
My approach is grounded in nervous system literacy, understanding your autonomic responses and protective adaptations through frameworks like Interpersonal Neurobiology and Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy. We pay attention to what your body is communicating while honoring that interoception (noticing internal cues and sensations) can be challenging for many neurodivergent folks.
This means:
• Using concrete tools like body maps, sensation charts, and gestures or sounds when words feel inaccessible
• Pacing that respects your processing speed, whether that's slower and more methodical, or fast and non-linear
• Recognizing that trauma responses and neurodivergent traits can overlap (hypervigilance and sensory sensitivity, shutdown and burnout, etc.)
• Validating that ableism and forced masking can feel traumatic
• Building regulation strategies that work with your unique experience of neurodivergence, not despite it
You belong here, exactly as you are.
If you've spent your life trying to fit into spaces that weren't made for you, our shared space can be different.
Here, your neurodivergence isn't something we work around: it's something we honor.
Your nervous system's responses make sense. Your needs are legitimate.
A greater sense of ease and freedom happens not by becoming less of who you are, but through having the space to fully become yourself.
Get in touch
You’re welcome to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with me directly, or you can use the contact form if starting in writing feels easier.
When scheduling, you’ll be asked for a credit card as part of the standard booking process. There is no charge for the consultation, and this will only be used should we decide to work together.
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