You’re ready to give therapy a chance, but the process of trying to find a therapist who truly understands the unique strengths and challenges of a neurodivergent person can feel so overwhelming. How are you supposed to know from a short profile if this person is someone you can spill your guts to? This guide is designed to help you navigate the process by breaking down some clear, actionable steps to identify a professional who is genuinely supportive of your experiences.

Late-diagnosed and high-masking autistic adults often carry an invisible burden. Our ability to “pass” as neurotypical is seen as a strength in society, but it comes at a deep personal cost. Many of us don’t realize how much effort we exert to our mask until we begin to unravel and burn out. For some of us, realizing that we’ve been masking our true selves for our ENTIRE lives can be more shocking than our autism diagnosis itself. Our masks have been running for so long that we don’t know where they begin or end, blurring the lines between who we are and who we feel pressured to be. 

Finding out you are autistic as an adult - whether through self-identification, therapy, or a formal evaluation - is absolutely life-changing. For many of us, it’s a moment of clarity, validation, and relief, and it can bring a wave of self-compassion.  But after that initial realization sets in, what comes next? This post covers some of what you might experience as you begin to digest what this new awareness means for your life and journey down the unmasking process. 

For many late-diagnosed Autistic adults, unmasking is both empowering and unsettling. After a lifetime of suppressing Autistic traits to fit into a neurotypical world, the question Who am I beneath this mask? takes center stage. Expressive arts exercises can offer a powerful, nonverbal vehicle to reconnect with your authentic self in a way that feels grounding and embodied. In this post, we’re diving into 5 of my favorite unmasking expressive arts exercises.

Growth, healing, and self-discovery don’t follow a one-size-fits-all path - especially for neurodivergent folks. Whether you need deeper self-understanding, practical strategies, or creative expression, the right support can make all the difference. But how do therapy and coaching compare, and which one is right for you? Let’s dive in.

Starting therapy - whether for the first time or with a new therapist - can feel overwhelming, especially for neurodivergent adults. The sensory stressors, the effort of traveling, and the energy drain of in-person sessions can all chip away at the capacity we need to actually engage in the work. Virtual therapy offers a more accessible, flexible alternative, allowing us to prioritize growth without the added strain.

If you struggle to identify and express your feelings, you might be experiencing Alexithymia. It can make trying to navigate feelings seem like reading a book in a foreign language. It’s also a really common experience for autistic people. 

For many neurodivergent individuals, traditional talk therapy has failed. We’ve spent years cycling through therapists, wondering why we can’t just “get it.” We show up each week and do the “work”, but it always seems like something isn’t quite right. Finding a neurodivergent therapist can make all the difference in creating a safe and valuable therapeutic space. 

The path to a late autism diagnosis is like finding a missing puzzle piece that for many of us, we didn’t know was missing. It can be a powerful, emotional experience that leads one to self-acceptance and authenticity.