Tips for finding a Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapist in Colorado

Most people do not start looking for a neurodivergent-affirming therapist because things are going great.

They start because they are tired. Burned out. Irritated with themselves. Or quietly wondering why therapy, productivity systems, and “just try harder” advice seem to work for everyone else.

So they Google things like:

• Why does therapy feel exhausting?

• Why do I shut down in sessions?

• Why does talking not help?

• Why do I feel like my brain is broken?

  If that sounds like your search history, you’re in the right place...

A cozy therapy room designed for neurodivergent clients

What People Mean When They Say “Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy”

Neurodivergent-affirming therapy is:

• Therapy that treats ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergent experiences as valid ways of being, not problems to erase

• Work that adapts to your processing style, attention, and energy instead of expecting you to override them

• An approach that understands burnout, shutdown, and overwhelm as nervous system responses

• Therapy that values accommodation, collaboration, and consent over compliance

• A space where masking is not required

Neurodivergent-affirming therapy is not:

• Forcing neurotypical standards of productivity, organization, or emotional expression

  • We will not suggest keeping a day planner!

• Treating coping strategies as symptoms that should be eliminated

• Assuming insight equals change

• Pushing rigid structures, worksheets, or pacing that increases exhaustion

• Attempting to get you to act more "normal" to fit in.

  
  

Commonly asked questions when searching for a therapist:

“Why Does Therapy Feel So Hard for Me?”

This is one of the most common and least talked about questions neurodivergent people ask.

Traditional therapy asks a lot. Sit still. Talk in a straight line. Name feelings on demand. Track thoughts while having them. Notice your body while ignoring it enough to function.

If you are neurodivergent, that can mean doing therapy and masking at the same time.

People leave sessions feeling foggy, irritable, or oddly ashamed without knowing why.

They assume they are doing therapy wrong. More often, the format just does not fit their brain.

That matters.

“Therapy Didn’t Work for Me Before. Is That a Red Flag About Me?”

Why "Standard" Therapy Often Backfires: Research and lived experience show that many traditional modalities were designed for neurotypical brains. When applied to ADHD, Autistic, or AuDHD individuals without modification, they can actually cause harm.

1. The "Intellectualization" Trap

Many neurodivergent people are told they are "too in their heads" or "intellectualizing" their feelings.

• The Reality: For many, "thinking" is how they process. Analyzing a situation is an attempt to find safety through logic.

• The Mismatch: A therapist pushing for "bottom-up" emotional processing before the client feels logically safe can feel like an interrogation.

2. The Gaslighting of CBT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on challenging "irrational thoughts."

• The Reality: If an Autistic person says, "People find me awkward and exclude me," that is often a lived data point, not a cognitive distortion.

• The Mismatch: Being told to "reframe" a valid social trauma can feel like being gaslit by a professional.

3. "Resistance" vs. Executive Dysfunction

If you didn't do the "homework" (like keeping a thought log), you might have been labeled "non-compliant" or "resistant."

• The Reality: That isn't resistance; it's executive dysfunction.

• The Mismatch: Traditional therapy often treats a lack of follow-through as a psychological block rather than a structural one.

Red Flag or Wrong Map?

If you’ve felt misunderstood in the past, it wasn't a "red flag" about your character, it was a sign that your therapist was using a map for a city you don't live in.

When the therapist said...	It sounded professional, but it was actually...	The Neurodivergent Reality
"Everyone feels a little overwhelmed by loud noises/crowds sometimes."	Minimizing. They are trying to "normalize" your experience.	Your nervous system is in a legitimate physical pain or "threat" response, not just a mild annoyance.
"Let’s try not to get too attached to labels; you’re more than a diagnosis."	Dismissive of Identity. They think they’re being "humanistic."	You are seeking a framework to explain decades of feeling broken. The "label" is actually a map to your own brain.
"You’re so self-aware—I'm surprised you’re still struggling with [Task]."	The Insight Gap. They assume "knowing" leads directly to "doing."	You have the "top-down" logic, but executive dysfunction is a "bottom-up" structural barrier. Awareness doesn't fix a dopamine deficit.
"Maybe you’re just not 'ready' to do the work yet."	Shifting Blame. This is a common way to label "non-compliance."	You are likely in burnout or the task is not broken down into neuro-compatible steps. You aren't "unready"; you're exhausted.
"You’re over-analyzing this. Let’s drop into your body and just 'feel' it."	Processing Mismatch. They are pushing a "felt-sense" modality.	For many ND people, bottom-up processing is chaotic. Analyzing is how you navigate the world safely. Forcing "feeling" can lead to a shutdown.
"Have you tried just using a planner/timer/app?"	Over-simplification. They are treating a disability like a "bad habit."	You’ve tried every planner on Earth. The issue is task initiation, not a lack of stationery.

Colorful art supplies ready for virtual art therapy sessions

Tips for Making the Most of Your Therapy Experience

• Be honest about what works for you. If a technique or pace feels off, speak up.

• Set clear boundaries. Neurodivergent affirming therapists respect your limits.

• Use creative therapies if they appeal to you. Often those with neurodivergent brains do better in spaces where talking can take a back seat, like art, somatic, expressive therapy.

• Keep track of your progress. Celebrate small wins and share them with your therapist.

• Ask for resources. Good therapists often recommend books, groups, or tools that support neurodivergent clients.

  
  

Why Location and Accessibility Matter

Colorado offers a range of therapists, but accessibility can be a challenge. Consider:

• Proximity to your home or work for in-person sessions. Try to reduce the barriers to success.

• Availability of virtual sessions if travel or sensory overload is a concern.

• Insurance coverage or sliding scale fees to fit your budget.

  
  

If you are curious about neurodivergent-affirming art therapy and want to see whether this approach might fit, you are allowed to ask questions and choose support that respects your brain.