For many neurodivergent clients, therapy isn’t a place to instantly relax.
It can feel like another space where you’re expected to get it right.
– You try to look engaged, even when you’re overwhelmed
– You rehearse what to say before you say it
– You watch the therapist’s face for signs of judgment
– You smile when you’re actually shut down
Masking doesn’t just disappear when the session starts. And for some, unmasking doesn’t feel safe, it feels exposed.
That’s why neurodivergent-affirming therapy is about more than insight.
It’s about co-creating a space where there’s no performance required.
Where regulation comes before reflection. Where stillness, stimming, silence, or saying “I don’t know” are all welcome.
Unmasking isn’t the only goal. Safety is!
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