Therapy can be a powerful tool for healing and growth, but for many neurodivergent people, it has not always felt like a safe space. Too often, therapy asks clients to mask, conform, or ignore their needs to fit into a model that was not built with them in mind.
Creating safety in therapy starts with recognition. Neurodivergent clients may communicate differently, process emotion in nonlinear ways, or need adjustments to the pacing and structure of sessions. None of that is a problem. It is a difference that should be met with respect and care.
A safe space in therapy means not having to explain or justify every response. It means the therapist is already familiar with neurodivergent experiences, or is open to learning. It also means honouring things like sensory needs, stimming, or using tools like notes or visuals to support processing.
Therapy becomes safer when it moves at the client’s pace. Some clients may want to explore identity or trauma. Others may need to focus on burnout or executive function. There is no single right way to do therapy, especially for neurodivergent people.
Affirming support is not about fixing who you are. It is about holding space for who you are, as you are. Therapy can be a space to unmask, rest, experiment with new strategies, and reconnect with self-worth.
To understand how systemic barriers create obstacles for neurodivergent people, read How Systems Fail Neurodivergent People — and What Can Change.
If you are looking for therapy that centres your needs, book a free consultation with Darci.