Neurodivergent Affirming Therapy
In Seattle
Unique Support for Unique Adults
Therapy for Neurodivergent Adults
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy embraces the idea that neurodivergence isn’t something to “fix” or “cure.” Instead, it celebrates your strengths, unique thinking, and the way your brain works. This approach is about helping you understand yourself better, speak up for your needs, and create strategies to navigate the challenges that come with being neurodivergent.
A neurodivergent-affirming therapist gets it—they’re trained to truly understand and respect the experiences of neurodivergent individuals. Together you’ll build a safe space where open communication and empowerment take center stage.
If you’re neurodivergent, you might deal with things like sensory sensitivities, struggles in social settings, task management challenges, or the weight of societal biases. Neurodivergent-affirming therapy is rooted in the neurodiversity paradigm, which values diversity, highlights strengths, champions empowerment and inclusion, and respects your independence. It’s not just about supporting you—it’s about changing how society views neurodivergence, fostering a more inclusive world where neurodivergent people can thrive and be recognized for their incredible contributions..
Book your consultation today, and let’s get started
Why Do Neurodivergent Adults Go to Therapy?
Neurodivergent individuals seek therapy for various reasons, each unique to their personal experiences and needs
Navigating with Social Challenges
Neurodivergent individuals often have unique communication styles, which can make social interactions tricky. Therapy offers a safe space to explore and strengthen your own way of communicating.
Addressing Mental Health
Neurodivergent folks often experience anxiety and depression at a higher rate. Therapy provides a supportive space to explore these struggles, honoring the connection between neurodivergence and mental health.
Developing Coping Strategies
The neurodivergent experience comes with its own set of challenges. Therapy helps you create personalized strategies to navigate daily life with more ease.
Enhancing Self-Understanding
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy helps you explore your identity, embrace your strengths, and navigate challenges, fostering self-discovery and self-acceptance.
Navigating Transitions
Life transitions, like starting college or a new job, can be tough for neurodivergent individuals. Therapy provides guidance and support to navigate these key moments.
Building Self-Advocacy Skills
Advocating for your needs is essential, whether at work, school, or in daily life. Therapy can help you build self-advocacy skills, empowering you to communicate clearly and confidently.
Improving Relationships
Neurodivergent people can face relationship challenges, especially with differences in communication or social cues. Therapy can help you navigate these differences, build stronger connections, and create more fulfilling relationships.
Improving Executive Functioning
Struggles with organization and time management can make daily life tough. Neurodivergent-affirming therapy helps you build these skills, making life feel more manageable.
What Are Neurodivergent Folks Struggling With?
Neurodivergent individuals may face a range of challenges in navigating a world primarily designed for neurotypical experiences.
Social Challenges
Neurodivergent individuals often face challenges in social interactions, as ableism and neurotypical expectations can make it harder to understand social cues and form relationships.
Sensory Sensitivities
Sensory processing differences can create heightened sensitivities or difficulties in processing sensory information, affecting everyday experiences.
Executive Functioning
Executive functioning challenges, like difficulties with organization, time management, and planning, can create obstacles in many areas of life.
Employment Barriers
Neurodivergent individuals may face challenges in the workplace, especially when employers and colleagues lack awareness and accommodations for their unique strengths and needs.
Bullying and Harassment
Neurodivergent individuals may be more vulnerable to bullying and harassment, as differences in behavior or communication styles can be misunderstood or stigmatized.
Educational Obstacles
Traditional educational settings often don’t accommodate diverse learning styles, making it hard for neurodivergent students to succeed without personalized support and accommodations.
Systemic Bias
Neurodivergent individuals often face systemic biases in education, employment, and healthcare, as societal norms tend to favor neurotypical experiences.
Healthcare Disparities
Healthcare systems often fall short in meeting the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals, leading to disparities in access to and quality of care.
Legal and Policy Gaps
Legal frameworks and policies often have gaps, failing to fully protect the rights and well-being of neurodivergent individuals, which can worsen their vulnerability to discrimination and prejudice.
What is Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy?
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy respects and validates the unique experiences, strengths, and challenges of neurodivergent individuals. Unlike traditional models that pathologize neurodivergence, this approach sees neurodiversity as a natural part of human diversity and focuses on empowering individuals.
Strengths-Based Focus
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy focuses on identifying and celebrating the strengths and abilities of neurodivergent individuals, rather than fixating on perceived deficits.
Empowerment and Self-Advocacy
This therapy encourages self-discovery, self-advocacy, and the development of personalized coping strategies, promoting a strong sense of agency and autonomy.
Cultivating a Positive Identity
It involves exploring and affirming neurodivergent identities, building a positive sense of self, and challenging societal stigmas and stereotypes.
Take The Next Step
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy is key in reshaping the narrative around neurodivergence. By focusing on strengths and empowerment, it helps build a more inclusive, understanding society. This approach celebrates the unique strengths and challenges of neurodivergent individuals, advocating for environments where their contributions are acknowledged and celebrated.
Your journey isn't defined by obstacles, but by empowerment and understanding. Whether you're navigating social challenges, managing sensory sensitivities, or working on overall well-being, our therapists are here to support you. Your individuality deserves recognition, and we're committed to helping you thrive in an environment that values who you are.
Your Specialized Therapist
Sam McCann, LMHCA
Specializing in neurodiversity-affirming therapy for late and self-diagnosed ADHD and Autistic adults.