You've probably heard or seen the term "neurodivergent" come up in conversation online and offline in recent years, and you may even identify with the term yourself. In a society that often stigmatizes any behaviors that deviate from what is considered neurotypical, being neurodivergent can be an exhausting experience, and the healthcare system, including psychotherapy, hasn't always been supportive of neurodivergent people. Yet new approaches to therapy are emerging for neurodivergent people, what's known as "neurodivergent-affirming therapy." In this post, we'll explore what neurodivergent-affirming therapy can look like, why it's important, and how to know if it's the right fit for your needs.
What Is Neurodivergence?
The term neurodiversity was coined by Australian disability rights activist Judy Singer. According to the Cleveland Clinic, neurodivergence or neurodiversity are nonmedical terms that describe the variations in human neurology that impact how the human brain works. People who are neurodivergent experience different strengths and challenges than those who do not have those neurological differences. Although some people who are neurodivergent may have medical conditions, learning disabilities, and other conditions, others may not have a medical condition or an identifiable diagnosis. Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, clinical depression, and learning disorders, are just a few examples of types of diagnosable neurodivergence.
By contrast, neurotypical is a nonmedical term used to describe people whose strengths and challenges are not affected by a difference that changes how their brain works, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Ultimately, these nonmedical terms aim to empower people with neurological differences to identify and embrace those differences, rather than trying to suppress or hide them.
What Are The Risks of Psychotherapy That is Not Neurodivergent-Affirming?
Historically, the healthcare system has not been helpful to or supportive of neurodivergent people, and neurodiversity was not respected as a natural part of the human population. From institutionalization, to surgical procedures like lobotomies, to shock therapy and over-medication, treatment of neurodivergence was centered around suppressing symptoms and forcing conformity to socially acceptable or “neurotypical” behavior. Traditional psychotherapy or “talk therapy” as it is better known, also encouraged conformity to neurotypical behavior.
These treatments were the culmination of what’s known as “neurotypical bias,” or using neurotypical behavior as the standard for mental health, which causes harm to neurodivergent people by exacerbating the mental exhaustion and stress of masking their symptoms, as well as by over-pathologizing behaviors that aren’t harmful. Therapists with neurotypical bias tried to correct a client’s behaviors such as stimming, without understanding how the behavior was interconnected with the client’s neurodivergence, or that the behavior might have been an attempt to self-regulate or cope with uncomfortable sensory experiences. Neurotypical bias is still very prevalent within the mental healthcare system today, but thanks to the work of Judy Singer and many medical and mental health professionals, a shift to neurodivergent-affirming therapy is underway.
What is Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy?
Rather than trying to suppress behaviors and symptoms that deviate from what is considered neurotypical, neurodivergent-affirming therapy is a therapeutic approach to treatment and overarching philosophy that neurodivergence is not something that needs to be fixed or corrected, but rather something that can be seen as a strength, even with its challenges.
There is no one modality that is considered harmful or helpful when engaging in neurodivergent affirming therapy. What is most important is how a modality and related treatment interventions are applied. Neurodivergent folks often experience frustration with providers that don’t take the time to understand why a certain intervention or approach isn’t working and this can lead to clients choosing to disengage from therapy that could potentially be helpful.
With a neurodivergent-affirming approach, the therapist collaborates with the client to figure out a modality that feels right for them, and use it to build on their individual strengths. Common goals often include building a better understanding of the client's specific experience of neurodiversity/condition, cultivating acceptance and self-compassion, and developing individualized coping skills to manage distress related to functioning in a neurotypical society.
Every person expends energy trying to fit in with our peers and social norms, and often neurodiverse individuals can have increased difficulty navigating this, from trying to mask or hide their symptoms, to trying to decipher social cues, to experiencing sensory overwhelm, and so many other reasons. In neurodivergent-affirming therapy, the therapist works with the individual to identify how this manifests in their daily life, and how it impacts their relationships, their work and school, and more.
Similar to trauma-informed therapy that recognizes the unique impact of trauma on an individual’s mental health, or LGBTQ-affirming therapy that recognizes the unique impact that a person’s sexual or gender identity has on an individual’s mental health, neurodivergent-affirming therapy is a form of cultural competence. Neurodivergent-affirming therapists are working to be aware of potential biases, understand the nuances of neurodiversity, and trust the client’s own experiences.
The Benefits of Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy
The fundamental benefit of neurodivergent-affirming therapy is that it works with the person’s brain, rather than against it. The therapist works with the client to discern when different behaviors are healthy self-regulations, versus maladaptive.
Another benefit is the self-trust and acceptance that it builds in clients as they learn to embrace and build on their strengths. Each person’s experience of neurodiversity will be unique, and it can be very healing to explore those aspects in a therapy setting where that is affirmed and celebrated.
Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapists in Chicago
Moving through the world as a neurodivergent person can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, at times exciting as you realize how uniquely your brain functions, and other times exhausting as you face engrained social biases and misunderstanding. Having a safe space to explore these experiences with a therapist who trusts your perspective can help you build self-acceptance, confidence, and contentment.
At ECC, we have several therapists who offer neurodivergent-affirming therapy, applying multidisciplinary methods from Acceptance and Commitment therapy, to expressive art techniques, to somatic experiencing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and other methods to create a unique experience suited to each individual’s needs and goals.
If you’re looking for neurodivergent-affirming therapy in Chicago, Empowered Connections Counseling offers treatments for individuals of all ages. Reach out today to book an intake session.
About ECC:
Empowered Connections Counseling is a practice of licensed therapists providing quality, multidisciplinary counseling for adults, children & teens, relationships, and families in Chicago and across Illinois. Whether by in-person session or via telehealth, we work with clients to find the therapist and treatment methods that best suit their needs. Connect meaningfully with your life by booking an appointment today.