Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy
Autism & ADHD Therapy in Oregon
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy is a collaborative, non-pathologizing approach that treats conditions like Autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences as natural variations in human wiring rather than deficits to be "fixed". It prioritizes your inherent strengths, authentic coping, and sensory needs.
How it's different
Neurodivergence as Valid Diversity: Central to neurodivergent-affirming therapy is the belief that neurodivergent ways of being are a natural human variation. This perspective challenges the notion that neurodivergence is a pathology or a deficit needing correction.
Strengths-Based: Instead of trying to suppress behaviors or change who you are (masking), therapy centers on understanding your unique processing style and building on your natural abilities. Incorporating passions and interests is key.
Trauma-Informed: It recognizes that the chronic stress of masking, sensory overload, and navigating rigid environments causes deep trauma, and treats these root causes.
Autonomy-Respecting: Therapists honor your physical boundaries, communication styles, and processing pace (e.g., allowing movement, flexible eye contact, or extra processing time).
Neuro-Affirmative Goals: Goals focus on sustainability, mental well-being, and self-advocacy rather than forcing behavior to look "normal".
Neurodivergent people often experience higher rates of co-occurring challenges like cPTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use. This is often connected to the ongoing stress of navigating a world that isn’t always designed for neurodivergent minds—things like sensory overload, masking, executive functioning demands, and experiences of misunderstanding, rejection, or bullying.
"Neurological differences are natural variations of the human genome — not simply deficits to be cured."
~Judy Singer~
Core Focus Areas of Neurodiversity Therapy
Unmasking: Providing a safe space to explore and embrace your authentic self without fear of judgment.
Burnout Recovery: Addressing the exhaustion that comes with living in a neurotypical-centric world.
Executive Functioning: Developing personalized, neurodivergent-friendly strategies that work with your brain (e.g., interest-based motivation and energy management).
Sensory Accommodations: Learning to identify and advocate for your sensory needs in your daily and professional life
Alexithymia, Interoception, and Emotional Regulation: Supporting you in the different ways to experience emotions due to alexithymia and interoception involvement.
Addressing Internalized Ableism: Helping clients develop a more positive self-identity through a neurodiversity lens by challenging internalized negative beliefs rooted in societal ableism leads to an enhanced appreciation of their neurodivergent traits and to recognizing when they are facing ableism in their interactions with others and within themselves.
Relationships: developing and maintaining meaningful relationships that work with your energy level.
Energy Management: acknowledging and grieving your limits, learning about your boom-or-bust cycles, and incorporating a pacing system that works for you.