Therapy to help Autistic folks thrive in a neruotypical world.
Supporting your unique brain through creativity and collaboration
You deserve to have access to mental health care that understand your unique brain and how you interact with the world. Many of our Autistic clients come to us after having tried other forms of therapy that left them feeling unheard and unsupported. Our therapists work with you to understand how your brain works, your sensory needs, how you communicate with others, and the challenges that you faces. We do not engage in behavioral modification. Instead, we work with you to develop tools to support your body and mind. We will slowly work to change your environment to better support your nervous system, while also empowering you to ask for accommodations and supports in places outside of your control. Our goal is you help you feel empowered to unmask when possible and live according to your values.
We can support
executive functioning differences with time management, focus and attention, etc.
sensory difficulties
managing meltdowns and shutdowns
conflicts in relationships
understanding your diagnosis
support with accommodations at school or work
emotional regulation
communication skills and understanding how you prefer to communicate
feeling burnt out or overwhelmed
difficulties at school or work
Our Approach
At Kaleidoscope, we work differently from other practices, in that we focus on your environment, not just your brain and body. Many of our therapists have lived experience being neurodivergent and understand the distress that can come from living in a world not built for you. We spend time understanding your own unique brain, your sensory needs and preferences, and how to harness your special interests. Our therapists focus on understanding the systems and environments that you are living in and how we can modify them to fit your needs. In therapy you can explore your relationship to your brain and neurodivergence, how you feel about it, and how to make it work for you. We also focus on communication and feeling comfortable in asking for accommodation or for your needs to be met.
How we support
Psychoeducation helps us focus on understanding how your brain and body work, as well as how they work together.
Narrative therapy supports processing how you show up in the world and the struggles you may have living with Autism . We can look at the beliefs you hold about how your brain works and explore new ways of support.
Affirming DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) is a modality that can help improve distress tolerance and emotional regulation.
Art Therapy is helpful in processing things that are difficult to find words for. The creative process can also be helpful for processing various emotions related to being neurodivergent and how it relates to your identity and life.
Common Questions
Can you support with with asking for accommodations?
Yes! We regularly work with people to ask for accommodations at school or at work. We will ask for you to sign a release form granting us permission to talk about your case with the organization from which you are requesting the accommodations. Depending on requirements, you may need to have formal testing done, which is something we can guide you through.
Can my therapist diagnosis me?
Our therapist’s can informally diagnosis all of clients and they have to have a diagnosis on file if you want to submit for out of network reimbursement with your insurance. Unfortunately, our therapist’s cannot give you a formal diagnosis. That has to be done through educational, psychological, or neuropsychological testing. However, we can walk you through the testing process.
Do you provide ABA therapy?
No, and we don’t work with people who engage in ABA (applied behavioral analysis). There is so much research that shows the harm of ABA. People from inside and outside the Autistic community have advocated that ABA can cause long term trauma. If you want to learn more please read this article. All of our work is non-compliance based and grounded in understanding that neuronormative standards are not the best way. Please reach out if you have questions.