Autism Affirming Therapy in North Carolina
Are you Autistic, or do you think that you might be? Maybe you want to be able to better understand an Autistic loved one.
We understand the difficulties you face on a daily basis. At Resilient Mind Counseling, we offer specialized Autism affirming therapy services so that we can help Autistic teenagers and adults. Our team of Neurodivergent affirming therapists either identify as Autistic, AuDHD, ADHD, or have a very strong understanding of Autism in general.
Our practice is AuDHD owned, and we prioritize showing up for a community of people who have been far too often overlooked, dismissed, made to feel different, or invalidated.
Understanding Autism
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals perceive the world and interact with others. It is characterized by a range of challenges in social skills, communication, sensory dysregulation, and Autistic burnout.
Autism is typically diagnosed in early childhood, although some individuals may not receive a diagnosis until later in life.
We understand the beauty of Neurodiversity. Our specialized Autism Affirming Therapy Services are designed to celebrate the unique strengths and abilities of Autistic individuals.
You may be struggling with:
Sensory Sensitivities:
Many Autistic individuals experience heightened sensory sensitivities, such as light, sound, touch, taste, and smell. This can manifest as discomfort or overload in certain environments but can also provide a unique perspective on the world, noticing details others might overlook.
Special Interests:
Autistic people often have intense, passionate interests in specific topics. These interests can be incredibly deep and bring immense joy and fulfillment, leading to expertise in niche subjects. We want to help you deep dive and celebrate your special interests. You’ll never feel “weird” for talking about your passion for the origin of sloths in Costa Rica while you’re in our therapy offices.
Communication Differences:
Autistic individuals may communicate in ways that are nontraditional or nonverbal. This can include gestures, sign language, scripting, echolalia, or reliance on alternative augmentative communication (AAC) devices. These forms of communication are valid and meaningful ways of expressing oneself.
Routine and Predictability:
Many Autistic people find comfort in routines and predictability. Changes to routines or unexpected events can be challenging to navigate, but having a structured environment can provide stability and reduce anxiety.
Social Interaction:
Autistic individuals may approach social interactions differently, finding large gatherings overwhelming or struggling with nuances of social cues. However, they often form deep and genuine connections with others who understand and accept them.
Executive Functioning:
Challenges with executive functioning, such as organization, planning, and time management, are common among Autistic individuals. However, they may also demonstrate exceptional attention to detail and problem-solving skills in areas of interest.
Hyperfocus:
Autistic people often experience hyperfocus, becoming deeply engrossed in a task or topic to the exclusion of other stimuli. This intense focus can lead to great productivity and creativity.
Advocacy and Self-Advocacy:
Many Autistic individuals are passionate advocates for themselves and others within the Neurodivergent community. They work to increase acceptance, accessibility, and understanding of autism, challenging stereotypes and promoting Neurodiversity.
Masking and Camouflaging:
Autistic individuals may engage in masking or camouflaging behaviors to fit in with Neurotypical expectations. This can be exhausting and detrimental to mental health, and embracing one’s authentic self is an important part of self-acceptance.
Strengths and Abilities:
Autistic individuals possess a wide range of strengths and abilities, including attention to detail, creativity, loyalty, honesty, and a unique perspective on the world. Celebrating these strengths is essential for fostering self-confidence and self-worth.
Here are ways that Autism Affirming Therapy can support you:
Embracing Individuality
Our therapy celebrates each person’s unique Neurotype, recognizing that no two neurodivergent experiences are alike. By honoring individual strengths and challenges, we empower clients to embrace their authentic selves.
Creating a Safe Space
Neurodivergent therapists provide a safe and understanding environment where clients can express themselves without fear of judgment or misunderstanding. This nurturing atmosphere fosters trust and encourages open communication.
Respecting Sensory Needs
We recognize and accommodate diverse sensory preferences, ensuring that therapy environments are comfortable and sensory-friendly. From lighting to sound levels, every aspect is tailored to meet the unique sensory needs of each individual. Hell, if you want to do telehealth with your video camera off, that’s absolutely okay with us! Eye contact is not necessary, and fidget toys are encouraged.
Fostering Neuro-Inclusive Language
Our therapists use affirming language that respects the diverse ways individuals process information. By avoiding pathologizing terms and embracing neurodiversity, we create an inclusive space where everyone feels valued and understood. You won’t hear our therapists use ASD, and we’ll always honor the ways that you’d like to identify and connect to your Neurotype.
Developing Coping Strategies For Autistic Burnout
We work collaboratively with clients to develop personalized coping strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and Autistic Burnout. By focusing on strengths and resilience, clients gain practical tools to navigate life’s challenges more effectively.
Building Social Skills
Social skills are taught in a non-judgmental and supportive manner, with an emphasis on authenticity and self-expression. Neurodivergent therapists provide concrete strategies and practice opportunities to help clients navigate social interactions with confidence. We are ANTI-ABA, and DO NOT practice behavioral modification.
Encouraging Special Interests
Special interests are celebrated as valuable and meaningful aspects of individual identity. Clients are encouraged to explore and pursue their passions, which can lead to increased self-awareness, motivation, and engagement. Our therapists will encourage you to deep dive into your special interests, because we understand the importance of being able to info dump, parallel play, and validating experiences.
3 EASY STEPS
Start Autistic Affirming Therapy in North Carolina
At Resilient Mind Counseling in Asheville, NC we understand that asking for help can be hard. Reaching out to an online therapist in North Carolina is a courageous first step. Start your neurodivergent therapy journey with us today by following these steps.
STEP-01
Book Free Consultation
Start by reaching out to us for a free consultation.
BOOK NOW
STEP-02
Begin Counseling Now
Then you can schedule your first appointment with one of our online therapists.
Choose Therapist
STEP-03
Healing With Support
Get the support and understanding you need and deserve!
Start Now
Other Counseling Services We Offer in North Carolina
Resilient Mind Counseling provides online therapy throughout Durham and North Carolina. For anyone ranging from teens 12+ to adults. Besides neurodivergence, we also specialize in LGBT therapy and BIPOC struggles. Additionally, we provide depression treatment, anxiety treatment, and PTSD treatment. Along with mood disorder treatment, couples therapy, and marriage counseling! First, start by contacting us today!
Trusted Counseling Asheville
Frequently Asked Fee &
Insurance Questions
We accept payment through a HIPAA compliant payment processing software.
This ensures that your financial information remains encrypted and protected.
I’m nervous about starting therapy. Is that normal?
Therapy can be vulnerable and new, so it’s natural to be nervous. It can be scary to think of opening up or crying in front of someone new, perhaps fearing that it will be awkward and uncomfortable. The fear around that can feel overwhelming. Getting the counseling we need can be challenging. And although it’s normal to be nervous, that doesn’t make it feel great. It takes courage to continue getting the help you need.
Therapy is a space where you can be yourself and feel safe from judgment, including feeling nervous. We’re committed to finding a way to care for your nervousness and ensure sessions are as comfortable as possible.
We’re here if you want to talk about it during a free phone consultation.
How do I know if my therapist is the right one for me?
Take your time to read through this website. If you sense that we may be a good fit based on what you are reading, you can call us.
During a free phone consultation, you can ask one of our therapists about how they have helped other people like you before, ask how they work as a therapist, or any other questions you may have that are specific-to-you. You’ll also be able to tell them what’s up, and you and one of our therapists can decide together how they can help.
It will usually take a couple of sessions to feel comfortable and develop a relationship. During the sessions, you’ll be able to understand how comfortable you feel in sessions. Our approach is not going to work for everyone. What’s most important is that you find someone who you feel is the right fit for you. We can explore that together.
What if I don’t want to talk about something?
If something feels overwhelming or even terrifying to discuss, that’s actually very normal. It can often feel difficult to talk about some things. During sessions, your therapist will never push you to talk about things that are too painful for you to talk about. They will be there to guide you towards discovering what feels comfortable for you to share. Working at your pace, together you can look at the tough stuff if you’re ready.
You can also share with them that you are nervous to open up about something, and you and your therapist can talk about that too. Whatever is present for you. Whatever you are going through. Bring that to session and you can explore that together.
I’m scared that if I open up, you will think I’m crazy.
If you open up, we will not think you are crazy. We will think you are someone who’s very courageous. Many clients have had the same fear (that people would think they are crazy).
Through our own life journeys and working with clients, we know how “normal” your experience is.
You’re not being dramatic or “too much.” Nothing you can say will cause us to judge you.
We know nobody’s perfect. We all struggle. We all suffer in different ways.
Whatever it is you’re going through, we provide a safe space where you can feel heard and supported without judgment.
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
You might already know that you want to share sensitive information about your loved ones and you don’t want them to find out what you’ve said. So we want you to know that unless there is an imminent danger to yourself or someone else, everything you share is completely confidential.
There is nothing more important than your privacy.
You can rest assured that you can talk about anything without fear of that information getting out.
If you have specific questions about how confidentiality works, you can ask during your free phone consultation or anytime during your work with your therapist.
What can I expect during the first session?
Overall, you can think of the first session as a structured assessment that helps your therapist get to know you and the challenges that brought you into treatment. They’ll invite you to share more about yourself, and you can also talk about what’s worked or not worked for your mental health in the past.
Some questions that your therapist might ask during a first session include:
- What brought you to therapy?
- Have you gone to therapy before? How did that go?
- What do I need to know about you to understand your current challenges?
You can ask your therapist questions as well. You might be curious about their experience or how future sessions work.
The most important part of a first session is that you see if you feel your therapist is a good fit for you. If you feel supported, seen, and at ease with them, you can discuss if you’d like to meet again.
LET'S TALK
Your Next Step for
Healing Journey
Sometimes the hardest part is getting started. We’re here to make it easier with a free consultation—just a conversation, no pressure, only support.