work with your brain, not against it.
Therapy for Autistic and ADHD adults in North Carolina and South Carolina
Interested in an Autism Evaluation?
Life can often feel like you are an observer, watching others but never really understanding why people are the way they are. You can feel like you’ve never truly fit in anywhere. Yes, you may have had those situations or groups where things felt okay, but in retrospect, you’ve felt different, even in those situations. Perhaps you’ve found yourself studying others, trying to practice interacting in the ways they do. And it can be confusing when no one seems to say what they mean, yet you’re somehow supposed to pull meaning out of their messages.
You’re familiar with autism, to an extent, and that hasn’t felt like it quite fits. Everything you’ve typically seen is about kids, or people who don’t speak, or need a high level of support to get through the day. But that’s not you. You have a job, friends, even a relationship. Yet it all feels somewhat surface level.
But then someone sends you a tiktok video, or a reel about autistic adults. And the pieces start to come together. You realize autism isn’t the stereotypes we learned when we were younger. It’s more complicated than that. And the more you watch, read, or listen, the more you relate to other autistic adults. You start to realize that this explains things. There’s nothing wrong with you- your brain is just wired differently from others.
Realizing you are autistic, or getting a diagnosis, can come with a variety of feelings. There’s relief, joy, sadness, regret, confusion, and more. You know you don’t want to change who you are, but you need some help making sense of this new view of yourself. This is where therapy can help.
Counseling is a space where you can truly learn more about who you are, and how you work. Where you can explore stims and sensory needs. You can unmask and start really living as your true, authentic, autistic self. Living in a world that wasn’t built for your brain sucks, but together, we can find ways to make it less harmful.
If you’re ready to start doing the work of unmasking and want to find supports that are genuinely helpful, click below to schedule a free 15 minute consult.
I think I might be autistic...
You can live authentically with your neurotype.
Can adults have ADHD?
You’ve always struggled with organization, but really, who hasn’t? Messy room, doing school work at the last minute, forgetting things often. But your grades never suffered, so you (and others) probably assumed you were just “lazy.” And your emotions- when they’re big, they are BIG. It can be hard to concentrate; your mind can feel like it’s in a million places at once, and you find yourself daydreaming. These things have followed you into adulthood, and you might still find yourself constantly waiting until the last minute to start work projects. You try to get things done early, but without a deadline looming you just can’t seem to get started. You feel like you’re the only adult out there who just isn’t adulting right.
You’ve heard of ADHD before, but thought it was just something that describes hyper kids. The phrase brings up a mental picture of someone you knew in elementary school (probably a boy) who kept jumping around the room, getting up from their desk, and was always in people’s faces. That definitely isn’t you!
But you’ve started hearing more about adult ADD, and relate to it, hard. Maybe your kid got diagnosed recently, and you’ve always said they were just like you. So you start to dig a little deeper, and suddenly it feels like everything points to ADHD. You realize that adults struggle with ADHD too, it just looks different than in kids. The trouble with organization, wanting to be able to do chores but you just can’t. Feeling like you’re lazy when you’re trying harder than anyone!
The more you learn, the more the realization hits you: you have ADHD. Maybe you decide to get an “official” diagnosis, or maybe knowing yourself is enough. Either way, you now have an explanation for why it always felt like you were doing life on hard mode. There’s parts of your ADHD that you love, without a doubt! But there’s also parts that are damn hard.
This is where therapy can help. Counseling can be a space to explore those feelings, address all that shame from years of thinking you’re lazy, or “not working to your potential.” Together, we can come up with systems that really work for you, and no, it doesn’t have to be a planner!
If you’re ready to get started, click below to schedule a free consult to learn more about how to start working with your brain, not against it.
You can learn to unmask and be who you genuinely are
Is it possible to be autistic and ADHD?
You’ve always felt very different from everyone, no matter the space. You started looking at autism and ADHD, but neither really feels like it fits just right. Maybe you’ve even gotten an evaluation and a diagnosis of one or the other, but it just doesn’t feel like the whole story. Sure, you struggle to pay attention, but you also need order and organization. You might have trouble focusing on day to day things, but when it comes to something you’re truly interested in, you are all in. But it feels like more than ADHD hyperfocus; it’s like you can only think about that one thing.
Spaces for adults with ADHD can feel overwhelming at times. Too loud, too busy, too unstructured. But being with autistic adults doesn’t feel like a perfect fit either. In those spaces you may feel like “too much.” And so you’re back to wondering where you truly belong, or if there really is something wrong with you.
Here’s the thing- you CAN be both autistic and ADHD. And they can play off of each other, making you feel like neither are true. While it can be harder to find information about the combination of the two, content about AuDHD seems to really fit. That internal conflict, the push and pull of your needs. It may not be one or the other- it can be both.
Being neurodivergent in one way is hard as hell. Being multiply neurodivergent is even harder. Counseling can be a huge support in figuring out how your brain works, while also helping you figure out ways to stay regulated and not get overwhelmed when life is awful. Through therapy, we can undo the years of internalized ableism and shame, and help you be truly you.
If you want to learn more about how you work as an individual, and find ways to meet your autistic and ADHD needs, click below to schedule a free consult to learn more about how to make your world work for your unique needs.
Neurodivergence-affirming therapy can help you…
Explore your newly discovered neurotype.
Unmask (to the degree you are comfortable with).
Find ways to support your neurotype in your everyday life.
Communicate how your brain works to others.
Embrace the strengths you have, while also honoring the difficulties in being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world.
How therapy for autistic and ADHD adults works
My goal for my clients is for you to have a space where you can be who you genuinely are. Where you can get support in learning how to unmask and manage burnout. Together, we can find tools and skills to help you feel regulated when everything is overwhelming. Sometimes that looks like unmasking or stimming, without fear of judgment. Other times we may focus on finding ways to make adaptations to allow you to be true to your self while finding ways to reduce or prevent burnout, meltdowns, and shutdowns. No matter the focus of a particular session, we will constantly be working towards dropping the mask so you can be your true self.
It can be hard initially to open up and talk about these things, especially when so many of us have been told we’re just lazy, or weird, or even saying things for attention. That’s why we move at your pace. You get to choose how much you say, when you say it, and even how. Verbal communication can be difficult at times, so if you prefer using secure chat on Zoom while we meet instead of speaking, that is totally fine with me. If you need to jump or flap or spin or can’t make eye contact, that is completely up to you and in your control. Please know there truly is no judgment. Hell, I have a desk full of different fidgets that I use during session, and most people can’t help but notice how much I can tend to squirm when I talk. This can be hard, and I commend you for reaching out. We can discuss skills and solutions, while also talking more about how being neurodivergent is for you. As hard as it can be, it’s worth it.
FAQs about therapy for Autistic adults and adults with ADHD
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After a brief consult to see if we are a good fit, we will schedule an intake session. During that time we will talk about your needs, goals, and what you’re looking to get out of therapy. After that, we will work together to get you where you want to be. Learn more.
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While you need an “official” diagnosis for work or school accommodations, I wholeheartedly believe that self-diagnosis is valid and will work with you in a way that assumes you know your true self. You don't have to have a formal diagnosis for us to work together.
And I also recognize that in today’s political climate, many folks feel more comfortable not having a diagnosis on their record. I will absolutely honor that as well. Learn more.
If you're interested in an autism evaluation for a diagnosis, click here to find more information about my assessments.
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Super easy! Head over to my contact page and submit the form to schedule a free consult. I’m excited to get the chance to meet you!
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Great question! I’ve got a series of blog posts about autistic and ADHD adults here.