Parent Counseling

Online Therapy Now Available!

You're parents. More than anything, you want to see your child happy, independent, and thriving. So, you do everything you can to support your neurodivergent child. However, that leaves you exhausted most of the time. Half the time you question yourself and worry you are doing something wrong. So much of your life is taken up with trying to advocate for, teach, and support your unique child. Still, it doesn't seem like enough. Social situations can be challenging for them, and there is more conflict in your home than you want to admit. You find yourself prioritizing your child's needs until you have no energy left.

We understand.

• Does your teen or adult child (12+ years old) possess remarkable intelligence or perhaps fall within the category of being neurodivergent, yet they struggle with reading social cues?
• Are you concerned about your child's social connections, the possibility of them being targeted by bullies, or spending excessive time in isolation?
• Are you feeling frustrated by the avoidance of adult responsibilities displayed by your autistic teen or young adult?
• Do you find yourself worrying about your child's future and their capacity for independent functioning?
• Are you and your child finding yourselves caught in repetitive arguments where their listening seems to be impaired?
• Does your child's motivation and self-advocacy skills cause you concern?
• Are you anxious about the potential for your son or daughter to suffer or be taken advantage of by others?
• Has your child received a diagnosis of social anxiety or being on the autism spectrum?

• Are you seeking guidance on how to provide optimal support for your child's transition into adulthood?
• Are you doing your utmost and feeling overwhelmed or burnt out?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions then you are not alone. As the parent of a neurodivergent child, you may be feeling apprehensive and overwhelmed about how to provide your child with the best support possible. The good news is that you are not alone! Our team of experienced therapists specializes in autism therapy and can help your family develop solutions tailored to your child's needs.

Parenting a Twice-Exceptional Teen or Adult with Autism is Complex and Exhausting

As a parent, you may find it frustrating and upsetting when others don't understand your neurodiverse child. You know how amazing they are, and you wish everyone could see them through the same lens as you do. However, their unique profile, with their incredible strengths but also challenges, often leads people to make inaccurate and critical judgments about your child. Instead of recognizing their anxiety, overwhelm, or feeling hurt and misunderstood, they may label your child as stubborn, lazy, or defiant. 

These harsh criticisms not only hurt your child but also deeply affect you as a parent. They may make you feel angry, misunderstood, and lonely. This can cause you to doubt your parenting or blame yourself. You might even find yourself criticizing or thinking you should have done more to support your child in overcoming their areas of difficulty. In the face of these numerous challenges, it's common to have little self-compassion for yourself.

Imagine what it would be like to be heard, validated, and understood!

With a lack of sufficient understanding and support in life, it's understandable to feel stressed or overwhelmed. You may have concerns about your child's unique developmental differences and their ability to keep up with their peers and find their place. All you want is for your child to feel accepted, fit in, and thrive. It's natural to worry about their social isolation, low mood, perfectionism, low self-esteem, or heightened anxiety. You witness how these challenges can make various aspects of daily life difficult for your child and yourself.

You strive to encourage your child's independence and often question when and how to provide guidance. When your child expresses difficulty in doing something, it can be challenging to determine if they are exhibiting manipulative or avoidant behavior. You're unsure about the level of assistance you should offer. Perhaps, you're contemplating whether to step in and take care of things for them or encourage them to try on their own.

You are not alone.

As autism experts, we have had the privilege of working with numerous parents of neurodiverse children who find themselves in similar situations as you. We have walked alongside exhausted and concerned parents, fully understanding the common challenges that families face and the strategies that have proven helpful for others. We hold immense respect for the dedication and hard work you pour into caring for your family. Whether through individual counseling sessions or a support group tailored for parents of neurodiverse children, we provide the support, validation, and guidance you have been seeking. We strive to create an inclusive and understanding environment that respects and celebrates neurodiversity.

Individual Counseling for Parents: What to Expect

You will have regular sessions with your autism therapist, typically once a week for 50 minutes.  During this time, you will build a trusting relationship and see your therapist as a supportive ally who understands and embraces neurodiversity. Together, you will collaboratively address the important issues that you are facing, ensuring that the pace of progress is comfortable for you. You will learn and practice effective strategies for communicating with your child, supporting their independence, and problem-solving skills, and boosting their confidence and motivation.

Our therapists use a variety of approaches, tailored just for you, including internal family systems therapy,  cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy, motivational interviewing techniques, and skills training to help you gain greater insights into your child's perspective and challenges.

Over time, you will become more comfortable managing your own worries and frustrations related to your child. You will also develop a greater sense of hope for your child's future. If desired, there will be opportunities to connect with other parents facing similar challenges and explore the value of participating in our supportive community during your sessions.