If you're autistic, have ADHD or both, you may have tried therapy before and come away feeling like the goal was to make you act more "normal." That's exhausting, and it misses the point. A neurodivergent-affirming therapist starts from a different place: your brain isn't broken, and therapy should work with how you think, feel and process the world. This guide explains what affirming therapy means, what sessions can focus on and how to find support in Kitchener-Waterloo or online.
This post is general information, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan.
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy in Kitchener-Waterloo
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy is for autistic people, people with ADHD and anyone who thinks their brain works differently and wants support that respects that. You don't need a formal diagnosis to start. Our counselling pages for both autism and ADHD say we work with people who have a diagnosis and people who simply recognize themselves in the traits.
People often come to therapy for things that sit on top of being neurodivergent, not because of it. Anxiety, low mood, burnout, relationship stress and years of feeling misunderstood can all build up. Therapy can help with those, without treating who you are as the problem.
If you're not sure where to begin, a free 15-minute consultation with our admin team is a low-pressure first step.
What affirming therapy means, and what it does not
At its core, affirming therapy treats neurodivergence as a difference, not a defect. In a 2023 article in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, researchers describe a framework for neurodiversity-affirming interventions for autistic people. They note that these approaches should not ignore or downplay real challenges, but should help strengths show up even in the face of them, without putting an unfair burden on the autistic person.
In practice, affirming therapy usually means:
Your goals come first. You decide what you want to change, and what you don't.
No pressure to mask. The aim isn't to make you look less autistic or less ADHD.
Respect for your communication style. Direct questions, pauses, stimming and info-dumping are all fine.
Practical tools that fit your brain. Systems and strategies are built around how you actually work.
Room for strengths. Focus, creativity, honesty and deep interests are part of the picture too.
What it is not: affirming therapy isn't a cure model, and it doesn't treat autistic or ADHD traits as something to train away.
What sessions can focus on
Every person is different, so sessions are shaped around you. Common focus areas include:
Burnout. Recovering when life has demanded more than you have to give.
Sensory load. Understanding what drains you and building in recovery time.
Executive function. Planning, starting tasks, time and follow-through, with strategies that fit your life.
Anxiety and low mood. Often linked to years of feeling different or misunderstood.
Relationships. Communication with partners, family, friends and coworkers.
Identity after a late diagnosis. Making sense of your past and deciding what the label means to you.
Masking is a big theme for many adults. A 2023 review of camouflage and masking in adult autism describes it as copying behaviours and hiding personality features to fit in, and notes it may bring difficulties including depression and anxiety. Your sessions can be a place where you don't have to perform.
Making therapy work for how you work
Therapy should fit you, not the other way around. Our autism counselling page says our therapists tailor the approach to each person, whether that means more structure, creative interventions or sensory-friendly accommodations.
It's okay to ask for what helps. You might want to know what the session will cover in advance, take breaks, or move between talking and doing. Tell your therapist what works for you, and what doesn't. A good fit will take that seriously.
Online sessions are another option. Some neurodivergent people find it easier to focus and relax at home, with their own lighting, seating and comfort items nearby. You can also start online and try in person later, or switch back and forth.
ADHD, autism, or both
Many people are autistic and have ADHD. Others have one and wonder about the other. Affirming therapy doesn't require you to sort that out first.
Our page on counselling for ADHD describes a neurodiversity-affirming approach: ADHD isn't a flaw, it's a different way of thinking, feeling and processing the world. Sessions can focus on attention and overwhelm, emotional regulation, strategies for organization, focus and follow-through, and healing from years of feeling "not good enough."
For autistic clients, sessions can focus on sensory challenges, emotion regulation, social confidence on your own terms and the anxiety or low mood that can come from feeling out of step with others. If you're looking for an ADHD and autism therapist in Kitchener, tell our admin team, and they'll match you with someone experienced with both.
Questions to ask a neurodivergent-affirming therapist
It's fair to check whether a therapist is a good fit before you settle in. You might ask:
How do you think about autism and ADHD? Are they something to fix, or a difference to work with?
Can we adjust how sessions run, such as breaks, written summaries or a predictable structure?
How do you handle it if I find a strategy doesn't work for me?
Have you worked with autistic adults or adults with ADHD before?
Listen for answers that put your goals first. If a therapist talks mainly about reducing visible traits, that may not be the right match for you.
If you're searching for a neurodivergent therapist in Waterloo, or for autistic adult therapy in Waterloo, our admin team can talk through options and help you choose. People looking for neurodiversity-affirming counselling in Kitchener can ask the same questions when they book. It's okay to try a session or two and see how it feels. If it isn't right, switching to someone else is a normal part of finding a good fit.
When you want an assessment too
Some people want a formal assessment for clarity, accommodations or simply peace of mind. In Kitchener-Waterloo, we offer adult autism assessments, and psychological assessments for ADHD for children (6 and up), teens and adults.
You don't need an assessment to start therapy. Some people begin therapy first and decide about an assessment later. Others want answers before anything else. Either path is fine. Our admin team can explain the assessment process during your free consultation, including costs.
Waterloo and Kitchener offices or online
Waterloo. Our Uptown Waterloo office is at 22 King St S, close to King and Erb, in units 404 and 103. Free parking is available in municipal lots off Regina or King.
Kitchener. Our Kitchener office is at 72 Victoria St S, 3rd Floor, Kitchener, ON N2G 4Y9, inside CollabHive. Phone (519) 340-1756. It offers appointments seven days a week.
Online. Online sessions are available for people anywhere in Ontario. If you're looking for a neurodivergent therapist near me but don't want to travel, online can be a good fit.
Our main line is (519) 954-4900.
Cost and billing
Here's what to know about cost:
Sessions with our therapists range from $130 to $200, depending on the clinician.
Depending on your plan, insurance may cover some or all of the cost. Coverage varies, so it's worth checking your plan.
We accept Health Spending Accounts (HSAs).
We can direct bill many insurers, including for sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). Desjardins is the exception: through TELUS eClaims, we can direct bill Desjardins for sessions with an RSW, RP or psychologist, but not for an RP (Qualifying).
Your first step
Book a free 15-minute consultation with our admin team. Tell them you're looking for neurodivergent-affirming therapy in Kitchener-Waterloo, and they'll help you find a therapist who's a good fit for how you work.
If you're in crisis: if you're having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or anyone is in danger, call or text 9-8-8 any time, day or night, or call 911. You can find more options on our crisis lines page.
You deserve support that fits who you are.