Autism
Do you have an autism diagnosis, or do you recognise autistic traits in yourself? Many autistic people find social situations challenging, have difficulty processing sensory input, or struggle with change. I help you understand yourself better and develop strategies that suit you.
Do you recognise this?
- Social situations take enormous energy, even when they seem 'enjoyable'
- You mask in social situations and are completely exhausted afterwards
- Certain sounds, lights or textures are overwhelming or painful
- Changes to your routine or unexpected events cause a lot of stress
- You often take things literally and do not always follow jokes or irony
- You have intense interests that you put a lot of time and energy into
- You often feel 'different' and not understood by other people
- You find it hard to put into words what you feel or what you need
What is autism?
Autism is a neurological variation in the way your brain processes information. It affects how you experience sensory input, how you communicate and how you understand the social world around you. Autism is not an illness that has to be cured. It is a different way of being, and one where guidance can help.
Many adults are diagnosed only late in life, or recognise themselves in autism without a formal diagnosis. Women in particular, and people who have learned to mask well, often fall outside the classic picture. It can still explain a great deal: why you become overstimulated more quickly, why social situations are so tiring, or why you have always felt different.
Understanding your autism is not a label that limits you. It is a key that lets things fall into place. From there you can learn what you need in order to function well and live in better balance.
Symptoms of autism
Processing sensory input
- Oversensitivity to sound, light, touch or crowds
- Becoming overstimulated easily in busy places
- Needing quiet and time alone to recover
- Difficulty filtering out background stimuli
Social interaction
- Difficulty reading social signals or body language
- Uncertainty about unwritten social rules
- Social situations take far more energy than they should
- Masking: presenting yourself as someone you are not in order to fit in
Thinking and behaviour
- A strong need for structure, routine and predictability
- Intense interests or areas of expertise
- Difficulty switching flexibly between tasks
- Detail-focused thinking: the bigger picture can sometimes be hard to see
Do you recognise several of these symptoms? Book a free intro call and talk through what you are experiencing.
Treatment
Therapy is not about making yourself 'normal'. It is about understanding yourself and developing strategies that make your life easier. We work from acceptance of who you are.
Psychoeducation
Learning about autism and how it affects you is the first step. Together we look at your own profile and what it means for your daily life.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (adapted)
CBT adapted for autism helps you recognise thought and behaviour patterns, without any expectation that you make yourself 'normal'.
Sensory integration strategies
We develop practical strategies for handling sensory input: planning moments of quiet, using noise-cancelling headphones, or adjusting your surroundings.
Social skills training (in your own way)
Not in order to mask, but to understand social situations better and to find strategies that suit you. We work on communicating what you need.
How long treatment takes
How long it takes depends on what you are asking for help with. Sometimes it is about coming to terms with a diagnosis, sometimes about tackling the symptoms that come with it.
Short-term (6-15 sessions)
For a recent diagnosis or a specific question, focused on psychoeducation, managing sensory input and practical tools.
Longer programme (15-20+ sessions)
For co-occurring symptoms such as burnout, anxiety or depression, or for coming to terms with a late diagnosis and its impact on your life.
The treatment lengths given here are a guide. Every programme runs differently, and we tune the treatment to your own situation and needs.
Curious what a course of treatment costs? See the prices per session and what your insurer or employer may cover.
See the pricesWhen to seek help
Seek help if you recognise the following:
- You have just had a diagnosis and want to understand what it means for you
- You suspect you are autistic and want to explore that
- You are chronically overstimulated or exhausted
- You have symptoms (burnout, anxiety, depression) that may be connected to autism
- Masking takes too much of your energy
- You do not feel understood by the people around you
What you can do yourself
Understanding your own brain is the most important step. Here is what you can already do:
Balancing sensory input
- Map out which situations take your energy and which give it back
- Deliberately plan time to recover after busy periods
- Use aids such as earplugs, sunglasses or noise-cancelling headphones
Structure and predictability
- Make use of diaries, lists and fixed routines
- Prepare for changes by thinking them through in advance
- Give yourself permission to say no to things that take too much energy
Self-acceptance
- Read first-hand accounts from other autistic adults
- You are not broken. Your brain works differently, and that is okay
- Seek out people who understand you and with whom you can be yourself
Understanding autism is not an end point, it is a starting point. It is the key to a life that fits you better.
Frequently asked questions about autism
No, an official diagnosis is not required. If you suspect that you are autistic, or you recognise yourself in the traits, we can look together at how therapy can help you.
Absolutely not. The aim is the opposite: to understand and accept yourself better, not to adapt yourself to neurotypical expectations. We work on strategies that suit you.
No, and that is not the aim either. Autism is a neurological difference, not an illness. Therapy helps you deal better with challenges and accept yourself as you are.
That is completely fine! You do not have to make eye contact with me if it feels uncomfortable. I adapt to what you need.
Many autistic people actually find online therapy more comfortable. You are in your own familiar surroundings, there is less sensory input than in a consulting room, and it is easier to take a break when you need one.
Start today
Ready to take the first step?
Book a free, no-obligation 15-minute phone call and find out what I can do for you.