Autism + ADHD + AuDHD

Neurodiverse-affirming therapy

Why go to therapy?

There are no issues to big or too small for therapy. Living in this world is enough of a reason to need to talk to someone. Neurodiverse affirming therapy can help individuals find the value in how they see the world and find self-acceptance. I aim to empower you to embrace your unique way of being. 

If you're finding that navigating the world is presenting challenges, we'll work together to find creative solutions while acknowledging the shortfalls of the systems we live in. We might work to disentangle misattributed shame and guilt, create sensory and emotion regulation techniques, and learn how to develop closer relationships.

What is therapy like?

We can customize the therapy process to what fits you. If you feel comfortable over the phone or a video call, we can do just that. Don't want to sit still? We can decide if nature therapy  is right for you. Prefer peace and privacy in person? I have an office in Capitol Hill for that. 

Therapy with neurodiverse clients is for better self-understanding and from person-first, strengths-based, and positive psychology stances. We'll discover the roots of what bothers you and learn how to heal it or cope through it. Therapy is not to "treat" neurodiversity. You are not a problem to be solved, and you are in the right place. 

Looking for a formal assessment to see if you have ADHD, Autism, or both? I'm unable to provide testing, however I can provide a referral list for folks wanting a formal assessment. Please use the contact form here to reach out about referrals for formal ADHD &/or Autism diagnosis testing.

Why work with Megan?

From the start of my career I have found that neurodivergent clients gravitate towards me, and that I especially enjoy working with them. The therapeutic relationships build with these clients have been some of the most mutually enriching and rewarding.

It is because of these clients that I started to see that I also belong to this community. The wisdom of my clients is such a welcome and heartwarming thing to experience.

Modalities

These are some of the therapeutic modalities and theories that inform my practice. Therapy will be tailored to your personalized goals.

Therapy Lenses

These are the main therapeutic perspectives I utilize when working with neurodiverse clients.

Neurodiverse-affirming therapy means not pathologizing how your brain works. I am not focused on diagnosing you with a problem; I want to help you embrace who you are and learn how to create your own solutions to issues that you may encounter in life. 

Everyone has strengths. It would be a waste to ignore them when figuring out how to find creative solutions.  I will focus on identifying and building upon a client's existing positive attributes, skills, and resources. I aim to promote resilience  and empowerment. Much of mental health treatment focuses on pathology, I prefer to focus on strengths.

I work from the belief that the client is the expert on their own life. I provide therapy that is free from judgement and full of unconditional positive regard. I view therapy as a collaborative process rather than an expert-centered relationship.

Types of Therapy

This is not an exhaustive list, but it is a good snapshot of what I will bring to your therapy experience.

IFS, sometimes referred to as "parts work" can be used to compassionately conceptualize the many different parts of us that may be in conflict with each other. For neurodiverse folks, you may examine a procrastinator, an inner critic, or a misunderstood child part. A core goal of IFS is to create a harmonious system between all parts and the core Self. We can use IFS in neurodiversity-affirming therapy settings to better understand ways to work with ourselves, rather than against. 

Polyvagal theory is a somatic-based approach to teaching clients about their nervous systems. It helps folks understand that they aren't crazy, that sometimes the body takes control in ways we don't expect. This body of research helps inform our work towards better regulation strategies, self-compassion, and feelings of safety.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly manualized therapy originally designed to help clients process traumatic events. It involves some form of bilateral stimulation (alternating stimulating both hemispheres of the brain) traditionally through eye movements. However, if you're like me and have trouble tolerating the rapid eye movement, I utilize EMDR adapted to use tactile vibrations or sound instead.

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