You want to go to individual counseling, but you’re afraid the therapist won’t understand you. In fact, maybe you’ve tried therapy before and it just felt really awkward. While the therapist you saw before was nice, they just didn’t understand you. You didn’t feel like you were fully heard and to be honest, you didn’t even feel like counseling helped that much. You left therapy sessions still feeling unsure, annoyed with people in general & frustrated.
There is a difference between counseling with a therapist who has a little training in autism, and a therapist who specializes in neurodiversity.
Does this sound like you?
- You have difficulty reading social cues and wish people would just be direct
- You’re intellectually gifted but have always struggled to understand social interactions
- You feel alone or like the odd person out
- You feel anxiety when there are unexpected changes in your routine
- You’ve wondered if you were autistic
- Your child was diagnosed with autism and now you realize you might be on the autism spectrum
- You might have a diagnosis of social anxiety, Asperger’s or high functioning autism
If so, you may have what we call “autistic traits,” high functioning autism or what used to be called Aspergers. These traits mean you see things a little differently than most people, and it’s really important that you see a mental health professional who understands. You want someone who is an expert in this area and can really help you get the most out of your counseling experience!
Individual Counseling For Adults & Teens with Autism Traits
You will benefit from our counseling services if you feel uncomfortable interacting with others, you get frustrated or overwhelmed by changes to your routine, you worry about failure and so you avoid trying new things or setting goals, you think you have autism traits, and you wish you could handle stress better and life could feel easier.
At our Palo Alto Autism Counseling Clinic, we specialize in helping adults and teens in Silicon Valley who identify as neurodiverse, having autistic traits, diagnosed autism or Aspergers. We offer a variety of therapeutic and support groups, but we also offer individual counseling. Our mental health professionals are autism experts. Therefore, you’ll feel more understood by our therapists than you might have in counseling before. We’ll help you explore the things in your life you find challenging, teach you new skills and give you space to grow. Through individual counseling, you’ll increase your self confidence and be more independent.
Specific Benefits of Individual Counseling at Open Doors Counseling
Through individual counseling sessions with Dr. Tasha you’ll increase your self awareness and learn new skills including:
- Strategies to reduce social anxiety and improve your communication and social skills
- How to build closer relationships and friendships
- Techniques to reduce worries around setting goals and making changes in your life
- How to tolerate change more easily and increase in flexible thinking
In counseling sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to explore your identity, challenges, and concerns in a nonjudgmental space. As you begin to identify what you care about in life and how to make your life more fulfilling we will build the skills to help you reach those new goals. Then, you’ll have the space to practice the new skills you are learning and the support to problem solve any challenges that come up.
What’s Individual Counseling Like at Open Doors Therapy?
You’ll meet on a regular basis, typically every week for 1 hour, with Dr. Tasha Oswald. Over time you’ll build trust feel understood by Dr. Tasha. Together you’ll work collaboratively on addressing issues that are important to you. You’ll work at a pace that is comfortable for you. Through counseling, you will practice strategies to communicate more effectively with people, become more relaxed during social interactions, reduce anxiety around change, enhance your problem-solving skills, and more.
Dr. Tasha’s Approach to Individual Counseling
You are an individual, so we will tailor your therapy experience to help you meet your individual goals. For instance, some of the therapeutic techniques Dr. Tasha will use include motivational interviewing, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and social skills training. Through your work in counseling sessions, you’ll begin to build skills and overcome the challenges that are causing you to feel frustrated or overwhelmed. You’ll grow in confidence and skills.
Many of our individual counseling clients decide to continue their own in a group setting to really hone their social skills and have a chance to practice relating to others. If appropriate, you’ll you’ll have the opportunity to discuss the value of group therapy and whether you want to prepare to join one of our groups.
Individual Counseling Fee
$250 1-hr individual counseling
Learn more about fees and payment
Begin Autism Therapy in Palo Alto
If you live in the Silicon Valley area, feel like you may have some autistic traits and would like to begin individual therapy, we can help. Simply send us an e-mail or call today. Things can be easier. You can find someone who understands, reduce your stress and find new ways to relate to the world around you. Let us help.
The first step to beginning individual therapy is to set up a free consultation with Dr. Tasha.
Let us help you or your loved one find peace, connection and meaning in your life!
Other Services & Autism Resources at Open Doors Therapy
Sometimes it may feel hard or overwhelming to figure out what type of service is best for you or to take that first step of reaching out. At Open Door Therapy, we understand this. As a Palo Alto counseling clinic that specializes in helping teens and adults with autistic traits, we understand the unique challenges of finding high quality autism resources. Our licensed mental health professionals are autism experts. During your initial phone call, we will help guide you through the process of figuring out which service will suit you best. Whether you’re looking for individual counseling, supportive group therapy for several different age groups/populations, workshops on neuro diversity or support for parents of a child with autism, we are here to help.
The first step is to set up a free consultation with Dr. Tasha. We offer a variety of resources and want to help make sure to match you with the right service. Dr. Tasha will help guide you, step-by-step through the process of beginning autism therapy, a support/social skills group, or a related service.