Anxiety Therapy for Neurodivergent Women in Portland & Washington
Finding Relief When Your Brain Works Differently
If you're reading this, you might be wondering if your anxiety feels different from what others describe. Maybe you've noticed that traditional anxiety management techniques don't quite fit, or perhaps you're realizing that what you've called "anxiety" for years might actually be the exhaustion of constant masking, sensory overwhelm, or the weight of navigating a world that wasn't designed for how your brain works.
I specialize in anxiety therapy for neurodivergent women, particularly those who are autistic or AuDHD. My approach recognizes that anxiety in neurodivergent individuals often has unique roots and requires a different understanding than conventional anxiety treatment typically offers.
Understanding Anxiety Through a Neurodivergent Lens
For many of my clients, anxiety isn't just about worried thoughts or fear of the future. It's deeply intertwined with the neurodivergent experience. You might recognize yourself in some of these patterns:
Your anxiety spikes when routines are disrupted or plans change unexpectedly. What others call "going with the flow" feels like free-falling without a parachute. This isn't rigidity or being difficult – it's your nervous system's need for predictability in an unpredictable world.
Social situations leave you drained and anxious, not because you're shy or antisocial, but because you're constantly translating between your natural way of being and what's expected. You might replay conversations for hours, analyzing whether you said the "right" thing or if your mask slipped.
Sensory experiences that others barely notice can trigger intense anxiety responses. Fluorescent lights, background noise, or certain textures might send your nervous system into overdrive, but you've learned to hide your discomfort so well that no one notices you're struggling.
The perfectionism that's earned you praise throughout your life comes with a shadow side – the constant anxiety of maintaining impossibly high standards while your internal resources are already stretched thin. You might find yourself caught between the fear of letting people down and the exhaustion of keeping up appearances.
Why Traditional Anxiety Treatment Often Falls Short
Many of my clients come to me after years of therapy that helped somewhat but never quite addressed the core of their experience. They've been told to challenge their "irrational" thoughts, practice mindfulness, or "just breathe through it" – advice that can feel invalidating when your anxiety stems from very real challenges of living in a neurotypical world.
Traditional anxiety treatment often assumes that anxiety is primarily about distorted thinking patterns or learned fear responses. While these elements can be present, neurodivergent anxiety frequently has additional layers:
Sensory processing differences mean your nervous system might be in a constant state of alert, scanning for overwhelming stimuli. This isn't something you can simply think your way out of.
Executive function challenges can create anxiety around time management, task initiation, and organization. When your brain struggles with these foundational skills, anxiety becomes a constant companion.
Communication differences mean you're often translating between your natural communication style and neurotypical expectations, creating a baseline of social anxiety that's about survival, not social phobia.
Masking fatigue creates a unique form of anxiety – the fear of being "found out," coupled with the exhaustion of maintaining a persona that doesn't align with your authentic self.
My Approach to Anxiety Therapy
I combine evidence-based treatments with a deep understanding of the neurodivergent experience. My training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-based CBT (I-CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Prolonged Exposure Therapy provides a strong clinical foundation, but I adapt these approaches to honor how your brain works.
Rather than trying to make you fit into a neurotypical framework, I help you understand your anxiety within the context of your neurotype. We explore questions like:
How much of your anxiety is actually your nervous system's appropriate response to overstimulation or overwhelming demands? Sometimes what we call anxiety is actually your body's wisdom telling you that something in your environment or lifestyle isn't sustainable.
Where does reasonable accommodation end and avoidance begin? I help you distinguish between honoring your genuine needs and patterns that might be limiting your life in ways you'd like to change.
What would anxiety management look like if it centered your neurodivergent needs rather than trying to eliminate them? We work on strategies that support your nervous system rather than fighting against it.
What to Expect in Our Work Together
Our journey begins with a free 15-minute consultation where we can connect and determine if we're a good fit. If we decide to move forward, the intake session provides space for a comprehensive review of your history and a holistic assessment of biological, psychological, and social factors affecting your well-being. Together, we'll establish goals that reflect what you want from therapy – not what others think you should want.
In our ongoing sessions, you'll find a space where:
Your neurodivergent traits are understood as differences, not deficits. We won't waste time trying to make you "less autistic" or "more normal." Instead, we focus on what's causing distress and what changes would improve your quality of life.
Unmasking is safe and encouraged. You don't need to perform neurotypicality in our sessions. Stim if you need to, avoid eye contact if it helps you think, communicate in whatever way feels natural. The energy you save by not masking can be redirected toward actual therapeutic work.
Your expertise about your own experience is valued. You've likely spent years studying yourself, trying to understand why things feel so hard. That knowledge is valuable, and I see my role as adding professional expertise to your self-knowledge, not replacing it.
Practical strategies are tailored to your brain. We might explore accommodations like written processing time, movement breaks, or sensory tools. I won't suggest strategies that require executive function skills you don't have or sensory experiences that overwhelm you.
Beyond Symptom Management: Integration and Identity
While reducing anxiety symptoms is important, my approach goes deeper. Many of my clients are at a point where they're asking, "I know I'm autistic – now what?" They're not in crisis; they're seeking to understand themselves more fully and create a life that honors their neurodivergent identity.
This might mean:
Reevaluating relationships and boundaries through a neurodivergent lens. What you've called social anxiety might actually be your intuition telling you certain relationships are unsustainable.
Exploring career and lifestyle changes that better accommodate your needs. Sometimes anxiety decreases dramatically when you stop forcing yourself into environments that don't fit.
Processing grief and anger about late diagnosis and years of misunderstanding. There's often complex emotional work involved in recognizing how much harder you've had to work just to appear "okay."
Developing authentic connection with others who understand your experience. Anxiety often decreases when you find your people and can exist authentically in relationships.
A Different Kind of Healing
I understand the unique challenges of being a high-achieving, late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman. Like many of my clients, I know what it's like to maintain high performance while managing invisible challenges. I bring both professional expertise and personal understanding to our work.
My clients often describe feeling seen and understood in ways they haven't experienced before. They appreciate that I can hold space for both their struggles and their strengths, recognizing that the same traits that create challenges can also be sources of power when properly supported.
If you're tired of anxiety treatment that doesn't quite fit, if you're ready to understand your anxiety within the context of your neurodivergent identity, and if you're seeking integration rather than just symptom management, I'd be honored to support you on this journey.
Begin Your Journey Today
Taking the first step toward anxiety therapy that truly understands your neurodivergent experience can feel vulnerable and hopeful at the same time. You've likely tried many approaches before, and it makes sense if you're cautious about trying again.
I invite you to reach out for a free consultation where we can discuss your specific needs and explore whether my approach aligns with what you're seeking. Together, we can work toward not just managing anxiety, but understanding it as part of your larger journey toward authentic, sustainable well-being.
Contact me today to schedule your consultation and learn more about pricing and availability. Your journey toward anxiety relief that honors your neurodivergent identity can begin whenever you're ready.