Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy for Adults with ADHD, Autism & AuDHD
Online therapy in San Jose and throughout California.
Many neurodivergent people begin their healing with the question, “how can I be more productive?” As emails, deadlines, and to-dos stack up, it can feel like you’re falling further behind each day, even if you’re trying as hard as you can to keep up. I’m here to reassure you that you’re not lazy or defective.
As a neurodivergent person, the effort required to just exist in San Jose, the Bay Area, or any major city in California is... intense. Organizing your thoughts, needs, and plans can feel like a full-time job on its own. Although tools to support better organization and focus can be helpful, the struggles driving your need for those tools often come from a deeper and more meaningful challenge.
Neurodivergent people learn early to focus their attention outward, focusing on reading the room and other people to avoid discomfort, judgement, and shame. When life is all about adapting, blending in, or surviving, it’s hard to know who you are underneath it all, and what you really need to feel your best. I’m here to help you find out!
What we can work on:
Masking (and unmasking)
Executive functioning
Sensory and emotional regulation
Relationships
Burnout
Self-worth
FAQ
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Not at all! I work just as happily with formally-diagnosed people as I do with those who have self-diagnosed or are considering whether they are neurodivergent. Whatever stage you are at, therapy can help you feel more autonomous and self-compassionate.
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Neurodivergent-affirming therapy treats neurodivergence as a natural, loveable, worthy way to be. Rather than trying to fix defects, this type of therapy focuses on empowering you to leverage your strengths, accept support without shame, and guide your own life.
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Sure it can! I find that talking through your stress, overwhelm, and even shame can help build confidence, lift mood, and reduce analysis paralysis. That said, I also think therapy can highlight productivity as our attempt to protect ourselves from shame – and some ways of showing up in the world that can feel even better than getting it all done.
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Yes, and this is one of my favorite areas to support. Being neurodivergent doesn’t have to mean relationships are harder, but it often comes with a few differences in how you communicate with others. Therapy can help you clarify your values and needs within your relationships, and offer guidance to help you connect more deeply with those you care about.
About your therapist:
I’m Shawn - a neurodivergent therapist, musician, and dog-dad based in San Jose, CA and serving clients remotely across California. I offer Humanistic therapy to people with Autism, ADHD, and AuDHD to people who want to feel like human beings more than a set of problems to fix. I focus on your strengths, needs, and perspective and help you build confidence in who you are. I use tools from ACT, CBT, and DBT to help you feel more in control of how you react to stress.
More about me and my approach here.
If this sounds helpful, let’s connect.