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How to Find a Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapist

Published: August 17, 2021 Updated: June 21, 2022
Published: 08/17/2021 Updated: 06/21/2022
Headshot of Sharon Kaye-O'Connor, LCSW
Written by:

Sharon Kaye-O’Connor

LCSW
Headshot of Rajy Abulhosn, MD
Reviewed by:

Rajy Abulhosn

MD
  • What Does it Mean to Be Neurodiversity-Affirming?Neurodiverse-Affirming
  • Why Finding the Right Therapist Is so ImportantImportance
  • Where to Find a List of Neurodiversity-Affirmative TherapistsWhere to Find
  • Things to Look For In a Neurodiversity-Affirmative TherapistWhat to Look For
  • How to Review a Therapist’s Profile or WebsiteReview
  • What to Consider During Your First Appointment1st Session
  • What to Do if You Can’t Find a Neurodiversity-Affirming TherapistCan't Find
  • Final Thoughts on Neurodiversity-Affirming TherapistsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
Headshot of Sharon Kaye-O'Connor, LCSW
Written by:

Sharon Kaye-O’Connor

LCSW
Headshot of Rajy Abulhosn, MD
Reviewed by:

Rajy Abulhosn

MD

If you’re autistic or neurodivergent and are seeking to begin psychotherapy, it can be challenging to find a therapist who understands the unique needs specific to the neurodiverse community. Fortunately, as the neurodiversity movement grows, and there becomes a greater acceptance of the neurodiversity perspective among clinical professionals, finding a neurodiversity-affirming therapist is more possible than ever.

BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

What Does it Mean to Be Neurodiversity-Affirming?

A neurodiversity-affirming therapist approaches therapeutic work with the understanding that autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, Tourette’s syndrome (TS), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), dyspraxia, and certain other conditions aren’t problems to be cured or solved, but individual neurotypes with unique strengths, needs, and challenges.1,2 The neurodiversity movement shifts away from the idea that brains falling outside of “typical” are “disordered.”

A neurodiversity-affirming therapist will possess a basic understanding of different types of characteristics unique to each neurotype. For example, they would have knowledge that an autistic client might have special interests or sensory needs. A therapist informed in neurodiversity would also be well-versed in areas specific to the neurodiverse community and the nuances of the experience of neurodivergent individuals.

Why Finding the Right Therapist Is so Important

In therapy, “goodness of fit” is a key element in the healing process. It’s important to work with a therapist who understands your unique experience of the world. As neurodivergent clients, it is also helpful when your therapist is knowledgeable about concerns such as sensory issues, anxiety specific to the neurodivergent experience, and autistic burnout.

Where to Find a List of Neurodiversity-Affirmative Therapists

When seeking a therapist, start by asking the people you know if they have any referrals. Check to see whether they can refer you to that therapist’s website or provide other contact information. Often, primary care providers keep lists of mental health clinicians. You can also search through your health insurance to find a therapist who accepts your plan and specializes in specific areas (e.g., anxiety or depression).

Online directories like Choosing Therapy also allow you to search and browse therapists, view their clinician profiles, and determine who might be a good fit. Additionally, you might consider checking with organizations that serve neurodiverse communities.

These organizations include:

    • Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN)
    • The Asperger/Autism Network (AANE)
    • Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)

4 Things to Look For In a Neurodiversity-Affirmative Therapist

When it comes to finding a neurodiversity-affirmative therapist, there are things to look for or consider, such as licensing, certifications, education, personality fit, availability, and cost.

Four things to look for in a neurodiversity-affirmative therapist are:

1. Licensing, Certifications, & Education

Look for a therapist who is licensed to practice psychotherapy in your state. Different types of credentials include licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), licensed clinical psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), licensed mental health counselors (LMHC), and licensed professional counselors (LPC). Psychotherapists should have a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited university.

2. Personality Fit

Personality fit and comfortability with a therapist go a long way. When you feel like you can relate to your therapist, it makes the therapeutic process easier and more effective. You might search for someone of a particular gender or age range, or seek someone from a particular community (e.g., LGBTQ+ or someone from a particular religious background).

3. Scheduling & Availability

One of the challenges of finding a therapist is finding someone who has availability that works for you. When contacting a potential therapist, feel free to ask about their usual hours of availability. Let them know what times of day work best with your schedule (i.e., morning, afternoon, evening) or whether you require flexibility from week to week.

4. Cost

The most primary and practical concern of finding a therapist is cost. Sustained therapy is often essential, meaning that financial sustainability is an important consideration. Finding a therapist in-network with your insurance can make consistent long-term work a possibility. Also, check to see whether the therapist in question offers a sliding scale fee.

How to Review a Therapist’s Profile or Website

When reviewing a therapist’s profile or website, check whether they mention experience in the areas of autism, ADHD, neurodiversity, etc. Some therapists who are neurodivergent themselves might put their neurotypes in their profile. As the neurodiversity movement grows, more therapists are becoming open about their own identities.3 Be sure to make note of any pathologizing or outdated language.

What to Ask During a First Call

After selecting a series of potential therapists, it’s important to ask questions during your first phone call or visit.

Here are some questions to ask potential therapists:

      • Can you tell me a little bit about your experience working with autistic/ADHD/neurodivergent clients?
      • How/where did you learn about autism/ADHD/neurodiversity?
      • Are you autistic/ADHD/neurodivergent?
      • What are some of the main approaches you use in therapy (e.g., psychodynamic therapy or CBT)
      • How long do clients generally stay with your practice?
      • Have you ever worked with (your specific area of concern)?
      • Do you offer remote sessions via phone or video?
      • Do you accept my insurance/offer a sliding scale fee?

What to Consider During Your First Appointment

The first few sessions are a time to get to know each other. Although this process can take a while, things to consider during the first session are: Do you feel comfortable speaking and sharing with your therapist? Do they seem curious and receptive? Do they seem to have expertise or understanding in the areas you would like to explore?

After about three or four sessions, you will probably have a good sense of whether your therapist is the right fit for you. Your therapist should also have a good sense by then if they feel like they can adequately help you progress forward. If the therapeutic relationship doesn’t feel like a match after three or four sessions, it’s OK to let your therapist know, and to seek someone different who may more effectively meet your needs.

What to Do if You Can’t Find a Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapist

If it is difficult to find a neurodiverse-affirming therapist where you live, you may want to explore teletherapy. Because most therapists are licensed by state, teletherapy would provide access to a wider range of therapists. If it still remains difficult to find a neurodiversity-affirming therapist, consider the possibility of online or in-person support groups or peer support from other individuals in the neurodiverse community.4

Although it might be difficult to find a therapist who is knowledgeable and well-versed in the strengths and challenges of the neurodiverse community, it may still be possible to find a therapist who is open to learning about your neurodivergent identity from neurodivergent sources.

Remember that new providers are entering the field all the time, so if it is difficult to find the right therapist, continue to check with insurance panels, online directories, and referral networks. New therapists in private practice tend to have the most availability.5

Final Thoughts on Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapists

If you feel like you would benefit from speaking with a neurodiversity-affirming therapist, you aren’t alone.  Fortunately, as acceptance of the neurodiversity movement grows, there is also a greater acceptance of the neurodiversity perspective among clinical professionals. Ultimately, when seeking a neurodiverse-affirming therapist, seek out someone who is warm and receptive to learning about you as an individual.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for referrals by the companies mentioned below.

BetterHelp (Online Therapy) – BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Online-Therapy.com – Receive help for anxiety and depression. The Online-Therapy.com standard plan includes a weekly 45 minute video session, unlimited text messaging between sessions, and self-guided activities like journaling. Recently, they added Yoga videos. Get Started

Brightside Health (Online Psychiatry) – If you’re struggling with serious mental illness, finding the right medication can make a difference. Brightside Health treatment plans start at $95 per month. Following a free online evaluation and receiving a prescription, you can get FDA approved medications delivered to your door. Free Assessment

Choosing Therapy’s Directory – Find an experienced therapist who is committed to your wellbeing. You can search for a therapist by specialty, availability, insurance, and affordability. Therapist profiles and introductory videos provide insight into the therapist’s personality so you find the right fit. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp, Online-Therapy.com, and Brightside

For Further Reading

  • Online Therapist Directory: Sort neurodiversity-affirming therapists by specialty, cost, availability and more. Watch intro videos and see articles written by the therapists you’re considering working with. When you’ve found a good match, book an online therapy appointment with them directly.
  • 15 Best Books on Autism
  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov
5 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Exceptional Individuals (2020). Neurodiversity: Meaning and Disorder Types. London, England. Retrieved from: https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

  • Litchfield, Ryan. (December 16, 2020). Peer Support Brings Hope and Strength for Autistic Communities. Retrieved from: https://researchautism.org/peer-support-brings-hope-and-strength-for-autism-communities/

  • Engelbrecht, Natalie (December 18, 2020). Autistics Make Excellent Therapists. Embrace Autism. Retrieved from: https://embrace-autism.com/autistics-make-excellent-therapists/

  • Brown, Lydia (August 4, 2011). The Significance of Semantics: Person-First Language: Why is Matters. Retrieved from: https://www.autistichoya.com/2011/08/significance-of-semantics-person-first.html

  • Kaye-O’Connor, Sharon (March 9, 2021). What is Neurodiversity? Choosing Therapy. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/neurodiversity/

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Headshot of Sharon Kaye-O'Connor, LCSW
Written by:

Sharon Kaye-O’Connor

LCSW
Headshot of Rajy Abulhosn, MD
Reviewed by:

Rajy Abulhosn

MD
  • What Does it Mean to Be Neurodiversity-Affirming?Neurodiverse-Affirming
  • Why Finding the Right Therapist Is so ImportantImportance
  • Where to Find a List of Neurodiversity-Affirmative TherapistsWhere to Find
  • Things to Look For In a Neurodiversity-Affirmative TherapistWhat to Look For
  • How to Review a Therapist’s Profile or WebsiteReview
  • What to Consider During Your First Appointment1st Session
  • What to Do if You Can’t Find a Neurodiversity-Affirming TherapistCan't Find
  • Final Thoughts on Neurodiversity-Affirming TherapistsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
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