Are you considering autism therapy?
Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with autism? Do you suspect you might be autistic?
I specialize in providing therapy to neurodivergent individuals. I especially love working with people who are autistic.
Therapy for autism can help
Autism is not something that needs to be cured. Autism is not a disease or an illness, it means that your brain works is wired differently than other people. We work on how to better understand what makes you unique and how to navigate a world that can be challenging.
It makes me sad that our current understanding of autism often frames it as an issue that needs to be fixed when autistic humans are so beautiful and worth celebrating.
Ashlyn Baker, MA, LCMHCA, NCC
Symptoms of Autism
- Difficulty guessing what others are thinking or feeling
- Experiencing social anxiety
- Preferring routines
- Having a very deep interest in certain subjects and activities
- Having issues with personal space
- Sensory differences (sensitivity to loud noises, lights, textures, etc)
- Preferring solitude over company
- Avoiding eye contact (or making too much eye contact)
- Seeming rude to others without meaning to
- Taking things literally
How autism therapy that's affirming can help
As a therapist who is autistic, I have a unique understanding of the damage that can be done through non-affirming autism therapy. Even the formal diagnosis of “Autism Spectrum Disorder” implies that there’s something wrong with you simply because your brain is wired differently. Just because you may exhibit some of the symptoms of autism listed above does not mean that you must change who you are to fit in. The things that make you unique are worth celebrating.
My approach: therapy for autism
I utilize an approach that doesn’t categorize our clients as “sick” or “other”, but rather as a fully functioning human who is navigating a modern world that wasn’t built for them. Facing an autism diagnosis can be really scary. You deserve to work with someone who sees your values and knows the challenges that can come with being autistic. I believe in providing treatment that will prioritize your wellbeing without forcing you to mask your autism. My goal will never be to teach you how to behave like someone you’re not. My goal is to help you live your life to its fullest potential, embracing yourself entirely.
Understanding autism and its impact on your life
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by a range of traits, social differences, and diverse sensory profiles. It describes a difference in how the brain processes and perceives the world – how the brain is wired. It’s connected to having an enlarged amygdala, which is the part of the brain that processes your ‘fight or flight’ response, processing memory, making decisions, and emotional responses.
It can be overwhelming at times to have an autistic brain because autistic brains have more synapses firing at once.
Ready to move forward with autism therapy?
You’re ready to get support from someone who understands what makes you unique. You’re ready to work with someone who isn’t going to tell you the only solution is to mask. You’re ready to live your best life, unapologetically. As a virtual counseling practitioner, I am ready to work with you in the state of North Carolina, on your schedule, at your convenience. My approach is kind, client-centered, and entirely focused on your wellbeing.
1. Schedule a free phone consultation
A phone consultation lasts around 15 minutes and is a great opportunity to get to know you and how I can best assist you. Once we gather some details, we schedule you for your first session.
2. Talk to an autism-affirming therapist about how we can help
The first intake session will involve getting to know you on a more detailed level. I’ll ask questions about who you are, your background, your family, your goals for therapy, and your expectations. This will be a time for you to ask questions to me and make sure you’re happy and comfortable.
3. Learn to embrace your autism
As you start to learn more about yourself through regular therapy sessions, you’ll begin to appreciate the things that make you unique. I will help guide you through a process of healing and learning how to navigate a neurotypical world without being forced to mask who you are.
Not ready to begin your therapy journey today? That’s ok! Here are some resources I recommend to my autistic clients that you might find useful!
Autism resources:
Be sure to stay up to date with my blog!
Play Therapy for Neurodivergence
“Toys are children’s words and play is their language” – Dr. Garry L Landreth, the ‘father’ of play therapy. What is play therapy? Play therapy
Sensory Processing and Autism
Autism is a neurodivergent condition that heightens a person’s sensitivity to the world around them. Each autistic individual has a distinct brain, and their sensory
The Gender Gap in Autism Diagnosis
Girls and women are underdiagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. There are a number of reasons for this. Most importantly, though, is that the vast majority
LGBTQ+ and Autism: The Perfect Pairing
Research indicates that autistic people are more likely to identify as belonging to the LGBTQ+ community. This means that autistic people can experience a wider
Other mental health services I offer:
Anyone can suffer from any number of mental health struggles at once. If this specific type of therapy isn’t suited for your needs, take a look at our other areas of focus:
Information on our virtual therapy services for North Carolina
Before the pandemic, a lot of mental health professionals viewed virtual therapy in a negative light. After the pandemic, the overall attitude in the mental health community has certainly changed. Now we have an opportunity to provide crucial psychotherapy support to anyone in the State of North Carolina! If you live in NC and are interested in working with us, we can make that happen. I utilize an entirely secure digital platform to conduct our sessions and are able to ensure your privacy. The only caveat to working with me is that you must be located in the NC during the session.