Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting interpersonal interactions and cognitive, social, communication, and motor skills. It also may lead to specific behaviors and interests. People’s experiences of ASD can vary greatly. For this reason, counseling interventions for individuals with ASD also range in their purpose and intent.
Available Treatment Options
Most mental health professionals agree that early intervention for people with ASD leads to better outcomes. Therapists may reduce problematic behaviors and improve communication, social skills, and sensory skills. Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is a type of behavioral therapy that counselors use specifically to increase desired behaviors and reduce undesired ones. Counselors may use Play Therapy to increase awareness of emotions and social skills and Speech-Language Therapy to improve communication skills.
Therapists Who Specialize in Helping Those Who Struggle With Autism
Individuals who seek therapy are brave. They are acknowledging their natural need for support and taking an emotional risk. This is why I seek to facilitate a warm and supportive environment, where my clients may ease into the therapeutic process at their own speed. I conduct individual, couples, and group therapy with children, adolescents, and adults. I also offer neuropsychological evaluatio...
I know how past hurts and traumatic experiences impact the quality of our daily lives, often resulting in depression, anxiety, trust issues, troubled or dissatisfying relationships, poor work or school performance, and negative self-esteem. My passion lies with helping people resolve past or present trauma. I will walk alongside of you and help facilitate opportunities that provide a deeper...
I have 12+ years of clinical experience providing therapy to children, adolescents, college students, and adults. My specialization is in helping people reach their "best selves" in developing age appropriate skills in order to push through any 'road blocks' in ones personal development. My training and experience started in 2004 at New York University's Masters Program and carried through to m...
"When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change." ~Wayne Dyer: Changing our perspective can be a powerful asset in shifting our own actions, interactions and reactions to the challenges and/or stressors of life. Entering into therapy can be overwhelming and a bit scary; but it can also be a great opportunity to understand where you have been, consider where you are in th...
I am a School Counselor and have experience as a Community Counselor as well. My responsibility as a mental health practitioner is to support mental health and guide clients to a better out look on life and a positive view about who they are and the importance of their life in this world. I especially gear my focus to children in middle school, adolescents, but also offer support to adults who ...
Are you frustrated by your child's behavior? Children communicate through behavior. Exploring the meaning of challenging behaviors can help identify obstacles that may be preventing a child from expressing and managing strong feelings, from developing meaningful/effective relationships, and from coping with stress. The clients I typically see are resilient and want things to improve. This can m...
I have 30+ years experience taking care of patients in crisis and helping people with emotional concerns. My practice primarily involves adults who are struggling with relationship issues, work problems, anxiety, depression, or just a vague sense that something is wrong or missing in their lives. Many patients started treatment feeling unmotivated, empty, or cut off from their emotional life. I...
What do I do for a living? I meet with people and talk about the most intimate aspect of their lives. It's not a bad job and I love the work I get to do. While I often draw from a variety of psychological techniques, I am firmly rooted in psychodynamic/psychoanalytic theory which is a really fancy way of saying I believe authentic relationships bring about sincere change in people. As such, I w...
Marissa Kushner, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist who provides individual therapy, behavioral parent training, and comprehensive psychological assessments. Dr. Kushner has expertise in the application of cognitive-behavioral and behavioral approaches to address anxiety, ADHD, disruptive behavior problems, mood disorders and interpersonal difficulties. Specializing in Pediatric Psychology, Dr....
The focus of my art therapy practice is to help clients navigate life's challenges through self expression, processing emotions, increasing coping strategies, and fostering creative problem solving. I specialize in working with children and adolescents facing emotional or behavioral challenges including: school issues, mood disorders, grief/loss, trauma, low self esteem, communication issues,...
Building relationships and trust are at the heart of McKala's practice, and she believes everyone has unique and resilient qualities that can be tapped into, especially during difficult times in life. McKala enjoys working alongside clients to help him/her to reach his/her fullest potential. She strives to create a safe, therapeutic environment, where clients feel accepted and understood. McKal...
Do you find yourself struggling with life transitions such as school, professional development, and marriage? It can be difficult to become your authentic self when you are dealing with life stressors and personal road blocks such as; self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. I am passionate about the work that I do with adolescence and young adults (18-35), and the impact on the larger family syst...
I enjoy helping people better understand their own actions and behaviors. I hope to help you grow from this level of self-awareness. It is my goal to assist you in finding skills and tools to better navigate your challenges. I provide an environment free of judgment to explore your issues on a deeper level without bias. I work with clients of all ages through different stages and struggles of...
My goal as a psychologist is to help you realize your best possible self. To that end I focus on helping people build skills and capabilities in order to live happy, meaningful and successful lives. In our fast paced, achievement focused culture, it's easy to get off track and one day wake up to realize you're not living the life you wanted. Therapy can be a means to explore values and goals,...
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Education Specialist with over 13 years of clinical experience treating individuals, couples, and families. I help people improve their health and relationships by teaching practical skills, exploring existential issues, and helping with meaningful relationship changes. I enjoy integrating the arts into my practice to help create a safe and stimulating...
