Autism & ADHD Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy Online in Massachusetts
“Neurodiversity may be every bit as crucial for the human race as biodiversity is for life in general”
Adapting therapy to be friendly to Autistic, ADHDer, and AuDHD clients is at the very heart of what I do.
It can be tough navigating a world that was not built for your brain. You may have grown up getting a lot of negative feedback for not fitting in or for not doing things the way that you “should.” You may have reached out to therapists in the past who just don’t seem to get it.
Diverge Counseling is a place where you can really be yourself. Clients come to Diverge for support learning to unmask, better meet sensory needs, prevent or recover from burnout, and develop ways of using inherent strengths to face challenges. Fidgets, sitting comfortably, talking about deep interests… it’s all welcome here.
Sometimes clients come to therapy looking for support coping with health conditions associated with autism and ADHD such as Ehlers-Danlos or Epilepsy; if you are struggling with these issues, you are not alone.
Of course sometimes Autistic/ADHDer clients come to therapy for support with concerns that have little to do with their neurotype, that works too— I’m ready to meet you where you are.
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For me, practicing from a neurodiversity-affirming lens means I respect your identities, autonomy, and goals.
I recognize that the ways you are currently coping, make perfect sense and have been a piece of what has let you survive 100% of your hardest days so far.
Clients I have worked with have expressed feeling more in line with themselves, taking better care of their specific communication, social, and sensory needs and feeling more able to self-advocate.
Stimming and other sensory regulation/accommodation is welcome in therapy sessions! -
Yes, absolutely.
Principals of universal design show us that making adaptations for specific groups, benefits us all. For example, making curb cuts in the side walk for those who use wheelchairs also helps those without disabilities to use strollers, shopping carts, etc.
Similarly, neurodiversity-affirming therapy isn’t just helpful for those who identify as neurodivergent. Neurodiversity-affirming therapy recognizes and supports what is unique in us all, without seeing difference as a problem.
