Neurodivergent Affirming
Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy in California
Therapy for ADHD, Autism, AuDHD, and more, without pathologizing who you are. Available virtually throughout California. At TheraQ, we provide neurodivergent-affirming therapy for clients who want support without having to mask, explain, or reshape their identity to fit someone else’s idea of “normal.” Whether you are newly diagnosed, self-identified, or still exploring how your brain works, we are here to help you better understand yourself and build a life that truly fits.
Trauma-Informed & Identity-Affirming Therapy in California
Our clinicians are trauma-informed, identity-affirming, and experienced in supporting neurodivergent clients of all ages. Sessions are available online across California. We accept many major insurance plans, and also offer affordable services on a sliding scale starting at $20 per session. Sliding scale services are not available with all clinicians, but we will help connect you with the best fit for your needs and budget.
What Does Neurodivergent-Affirming Mean?
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy starts with the understanding that your neurotype is not broken and does not need to be “fixed.” We reject ableist ideas of “normal functioning” and instead focus on helping you recognize your needs, build on your strengths, and move toward your own goals.
We do not use compliance-based approaches.
That means:
We will not ask you to suppress stimming
We will not force eye contact
We will not pressure you to appear “less autistic” or “less ADHD”
We also recognize how systemic bias contributes to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis, particularly for women, AFAB individuals, BIPOC clients, and high-masking presentations. At TheraQ, we strive to do better.
Instead, we work with you to:
Reduce burnout and sensory overload
Unlearn shame, internalized ableism, or masking strategies that no longer serve you
Build tools for executive functioning, self-advocacy, and emotional regulation
Create relationships, routines, and environments that honor your brain and body
We welcome:
Autistic clients (diagnosed, self-identified, or exploring)
ADHD and AuDHD clients navigating attention, overwhelm, or burnout
Teens and adults exploring identity, masking, or rejection sensitivity
Late-diagnosed clients who feel like they are “starting over”
LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC neurodivergent clients navigating layered identity stress
Parents and partners of neurodivergent people seeking clarity and support
Concerns We Address:
Executive functioning challenges
Sensory sensitivities and shutdowns
Autistic burnout and masking exhaustion
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)
School, work, or social pressures
Imposter syndrome or self-doubt
Anxiety, depression, or trauma linked to misdiagnosis or invalidation
Our Approach to Therapy
Your goals, your pace, your voice. Therapy is collaborative and adapted to you, not to a manual or rigid social norms. Depending on your needs, sessions may include:
Collaborative problem-solving and planning
Tools for task initiation, transitions, and managing overwhelm
Rebuilding trust in your own perception and experience
Exploring identity and unmasking safely
Mindfulness, body-based awareness, or sensory strategies
Optional integration of psychological testing results, if relevant
Our therapists may draw from CBT, DBT, ACT, person-centered, and trauma-focused approaches, but always through a neurodivergent-affirming lens.
Why Clients Choose TheraQ
Therapy without pressure to “perform” or mask
Clinicians who truly understand neurodivergence
Full acceptance of self-diagnosed and exploring clients
Recognition of the toll that burnout, invalidation, and masking can take
Integration of both therapy and psychological testing for clients who want support and clarity
Affordable options, with many major insurance plans accepted
Sliding scale therapy available with select clinicians from $20
Accessible, virtual sessions across California