What Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy Actually Looks Like (and How to Know If a Therapist Gets It)
If you’re neurodivergent — ADHD, autistic, AuDHD, or questioning — you may have had therapy experiences that felt confusing, invalidating, or quietly exhausting.
You might have been told you were “overthinking,” encouraged to push through burnout, or expected to fit into therapeutic models that didn’t account for how your brain actually works.
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy is different.
What Does “Neurodivergent-Affirming” Really Mean?
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy starts with the understanding that neurodivergence is not something to be fixed.
Instead of focusing on masking, compliance, or “coping better,” this approach centers:
nervous system regulation
autonomy and consent
identity safety
realistic support (not productivity pressure)
Your therapist understands that ADHD and autism impact emotions, relationships, trauma responses, and energy, not just attention or behavior.
How Trauma Shows Up Differently for Neurodivergent Adults
Many neurodivergent adults carry trauma — even if they wouldn’t traditionally label it that way.
This can include:
chronic invalidation or misunderstanding
masking to survive school, work, or family systems
sensory overwhelm and burnout
being treated as “too much” or “not enough”
Trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming therapy recognizes these experiences without minimizing them or forcing them into a narrow definition of trauma.
Signs a Therapist Is Truly Neurodivergent-Affirming
If you’re searching for an ADHD- or autism-affirming therapist, here are some green flags to look for:
They adapt sessions to your energy, processing speed, and communication style
They don’t pathologize stimming, special interests, or sensory needs
They understand burnout, demand avoidance, and masking
They collaborate with you instead of pushing rigid goals
They respect that “progress” may look nonlinear
Most importantly, you feel less pressure to perform in the therapy room.
Can Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy Be Done Online?
Yes — and for many neurodivergent adults, online therapy is actually more accessible.
Virtual therapy can:
reduce sensory overload
allow for safer regulation
support flexible pacing
eliminate the stress of commuting
Online therapy also expands access to therapists who truly understand neurodivergence, even if they aren’t local.
Finding the Right Fit
You deserve a therapist who understands both neurodivergence and trauma, and who doesn’t ask you to become more “neurotypical” to be supported.
If you’re looking for neurodivergent-affirming therapy for ADHD, autism, or trauma — whether online or in person — it’s okay to trust your sense of fit.
Therapy should feel like a place where your nervous system can finally exhale.
If you’d like to learn more about working together, you can explore my individual therapy services or reach out to schedule a consultation.
