Psychotherapy and Counseling with People on the Spectrum
& How I Can Help
I have long considered it a grave disservice to the population of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders, that the message they are often is sent is that they should try to be less like themselves and more like the neurotypical population. Often, kids, teens and adults on the spectrum spend a lot of time trying to be “normal”, fighting sensory overload and overwhelm, fending off personal quirks, and trying so hard to “fit in”, socially and otherwise. Sometimes, it may never cross their minds to do try to do such a thing and, either way, frequently, they are recipients of mistreatment and misunderstanding. They are often bullied or teased. They are often stressed and distressed. All too frequently, and for many different reasons, people on the spectrum experience high levels of stress, as well as symptoms of other mental health difficulties including depression, mood disorders, anxiety, obsessive thinking. Research also shows that there is a high occurrence of depression, mood, and anxiety disorders in families of those with autism spectrum disorders.
Psychotherapy can help by offering a safe space for kids, teens and adults on the spectrum to be able to express themselves more readily, to be able to learn more effective coping skills to manage stress, as well as symptoms of other mental health issues that may be unique to you or your child. Therapy can be a safe space where a person can feel fully accepted for who they are, with all their unique abilities, quirks, gifts and talents and where their challenges can be understood in a compassionate, caring way.
During therapy, we may work on communication and social skills, stress relief, relaxation, self-expression, or ways to cope with the stresses of daily life, depending on the person and their particular needs and development. This may include mindfulness based techniques, movement, like yoga or qi gong or dance based movement, art making, writing, journaling, or even reiki or energy work., all of which help a person to feel more connected to their body, more grounded and thus often able to express emotion and cultivate insight into their own lives, selves, histories, relationships, thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Therapy can help encourage clients of all ages and abilities to express themselves, become more self-aware, increase effective communication, and learn to cope with life and the stress that comes along with being in this world. We may also work on ways to help each person find the most helpful and constructive path forward toward the future, based on the goals each person sees and wants for themselves.
My training and my personal bias is that of an asset value approach. I believe everyone has gifts, abilities and talents to offer the world, and that these are more important and significant than any perceived deficits. Using this basic belief as part of the therapy process aids my clients in finding distinctive, healthy ways of expressing themselves and hopefully, if the need is there, to accept themselves as well. The real catalyst for change in psychotherapy is the relationship between client and therapist.
I have the unique qualification of having worked over the past three decades with individuals diagnosed with various forms neurodivergence from ages 5 to 50, with abilities all over the spectrum, including those who are dually diagnosed. Meaning that I’ve worked with individuals diagnosed with autism, (and previously, Asperger’s or Pervasive Developmental Disorder) as well as Intellectual Disability (ID), who have also been given other mental health diagnoses including Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Bi-polar disorder, Depression, Mood disorders, Tourette’s disorder, Obsessive Compulsive disorder, Anxiety disorders, Schizoaffective disorder, Schizophrenia, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Personality and Behavioral Disorders. I have also worked with those on the spectrum dually diagnosed with learning and intellectual disabilities.
Additionally, I have training and extensive experience in working with non-speakers, unreliably speaking, and minimally speaking individuals as well as those who are comfortable and fluent with spoken words to communicate effectively. I have used many different types of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices with non-speakers and unreliably speaking people successfully in therapy sessions since 2000. I was originally trained in the use of Facilitated Communication when I worked as a direct care support person for autistic teens in 1998 and have been successful at using whatever device individuals are comfortable with and which are their personal and primary mode of communication. Ensuring communication and allowing my clients to be heard and seen for who they are is primary in my practice.
I also have experience using reiki with people dealing with the challenges of apraxia and have supported these individuals in shifting their energy and feeling more grounded and embodied. Reiki and other forms of energy work can help to reduce the stress response (fight, flight, freeze) of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and support the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) response (rest, relax, digest) which in turn can soothe overtaxed sensory systems.
If you have questions about my background and experience in any of the topics above, please feel free to write to me using the form at the bottom of this page; your questions will come directly to my personal inbox.
A few words about diagnoses:
A diagnosis is a label based on certain criteria defined by a small group of people and listed in a very large, thick book. It does not define a person. My goal as a therapist is to help you as my client to feel more comfortable in your world, your body, with your own thoughts and feelings, and to be able to thrive. Therapy can help you, or your child, move toward feeling more whole--which is really your true nature.
If you are concerned with a person on the spectrum who is also experiencing grief or loss, I am also uniquely qualified for offering assistance. Visit here to access free downloadable sheets from my book Finding Your Own way to Grieve: A Creative Activity Workbook for Kids and Teens on the Autism Spectrum.
If you have questions, please feel free to send me a message on the Contact Form below, it comes straight to my inbox.
Psychotherapy can help by offering a safe space for kids, teens and adults on the spectrum to be able to express themselves more readily, to be able to learn more effective coping skills to manage stress, as well as symptoms of other mental health issues that may be unique to you or your child. Therapy can be a safe space where a person can feel fully accepted for who they are, with all their unique abilities, quirks, gifts and talents and where their challenges can be understood in a compassionate, caring way.
During therapy, we may work on communication and social skills, stress relief, relaxation, self-expression, or ways to cope with the stresses of daily life, depending on the person and their particular needs and development. This may include mindfulness based techniques, movement, like yoga or qi gong or dance based movement, art making, writing, journaling, or even reiki or energy work., all of which help a person to feel more connected to their body, more grounded and thus often able to express emotion and cultivate insight into their own lives, selves, histories, relationships, thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Therapy can help encourage clients of all ages and abilities to express themselves, become more self-aware, increase effective communication, and learn to cope with life and the stress that comes along with being in this world. We may also work on ways to help each person find the most helpful and constructive path forward toward the future, based on the goals each person sees and wants for themselves.
My training and my personal bias is that of an asset value approach. I believe everyone has gifts, abilities and talents to offer the world, and that these are more important and significant than any perceived deficits. Using this basic belief as part of the therapy process aids my clients in finding distinctive, healthy ways of expressing themselves and hopefully, if the need is there, to accept themselves as well. The real catalyst for change in psychotherapy is the relationship between client and therapist.
I have the unique qualification of having worked over the past three decades with individuals diagnosed with various forms neurodivergence from ages 5 to 50, with abilities all over the spectrum, including those who are dually diagnosed. Meaning that I’ve worked with individuals diagnosed with autism, (and previously, Asperger’s or Pervasive Developmental Disorder) as well as Intellectual Disability (ID), who have also been given other mental health diagnoses including Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Bi-polar disorder, Depression, Mood disorders, Tourette’s disorder, Obsessive Compulsive disorder, Anxiety disorders, Schizoaffective disorder, Schizophrenia, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Personality and Behavioral Disorders. I have also worked with those on the spectrum dually diagnosed with learning and intellectual disabilities.
Additionally, I have training and extensive experience in working with non-speakers, unreliably speaking, and minimally speaking individuals as well as those who are comfortable and fluent with spoken words to communicate effectively. I have used many different types of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices with non-speakers and unreliably speaking people successfully in therapy sessions since 2000. I was originally trained in the use of Facilitated Communication when I worked as a direct care support person for autistic teens in 1998 and have been successful at using whatever device individuals are comfortable with and which are their personal and primary mode of communication. Ensuring communication and allowing my clients to be heard and seen for who they are is primary in my practice.
I also have experience using reiki with people dealing with the challenges of apraxia and have supported these individuals in shifting their energy and feeling more grounded and embodied. Reiki and other forms of energy work can help to reduce the stress response (fight, flight, freeze) of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and support the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) response (rest, relax, digest) which in turn can soothe overtaxed sensory systems.
If you have questions about my background and experience in any of the topics above, please feel free to write to me using the form at the bottom of this page; your questions will come directly to my personal inbox.
A few words about diagnoses:
A diagnosis is a label based on certain criteria defined by a small group of people and listed in a very large, thick book. It does not define a person. My goal as a therapist is to help you as my client to feel more comfortable in your world, your body, with your own thoughts and feelings, and to be able to thrive. Therapy can help you, or your child, move toward feeling more whole--which is really your true nature.
If you are concerned with a person on the spectrum who is also experiencing grief or loss, I am also uniquely qualified for offering assistance. Visit here to access free downloadable sheets from my book Finding Your Own way to Grieve: A Creative Activity Workbook for Kids and Teens on the Autism Spectrum.
If you have questions, please feel free to send me a message on the Contact Form below, it comes straight to my inbox.