Neuro-Affirming Therapy for Neurodiverse Women and Girls
Being diagnosed with Autism as a woman can be a bit of a difficult path to navigate alone.
You never seem to fit in. No matter how hard you try it feels as though those around you have some sort of secret code that they all use to communicate with and as much as you have tried you just can’t crack it. There are people in your life but you worry they only tolerate you that they will eventually get burned out and leave.
You are a passionate person you love theater, anime, video games, fantasy books, and other things. Yet no one seems as interested in those things as you are. You can find communities on the internet but you still feel lonely. You might have been told for years that women aren’t autistic but now you are learning that yes, autism impacts women it tends to go under diagnosed.
Autism and ADHD in women and girls is finally being recognized and diagnosed though for many the diagnoses comes after years of being socially isolated. Getting help at any age can be very helpful.
Therapy can help you understand your own communication style, navigate relationships, advocate for your needs, recognize when masking is draining you, and develop ways of connecting with others that do not require you to constantly perform or suppress your autistic traits.
I am a neuro-affirming therapist meaning you do not need to mask, or hide your true self during our sessions. How autism presents in women is different from how it presents in men. We used to think that Autism impacted four times as many men as women, but newer research is showing us women are impacted by autism at the same rate as men. Their journey to diagnoses tends to be quite different. For many women they are late-identified, or late-diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. Masking especially high-masking, is something that many neurodiverse women do and learning how to unmask in a safe and supportive environment is essential.
In our work we will focus on boundary setting, unmasking, recovering from burnout, working through feelings of guilt and shame and helping you find strategies that help you achieve what you want in your life.
Finding a neurodiversity affirming therapist who truly understands the lived experience of autistic women and girls with ADHD can be life changing. As a board certified psychologist based in Charlotte, NC, and providing telehealth services across the US, I specialize in supporting neurodivergent individuals navigating late diagnosed autism, ADHD, masking, and autistic burnout. Unlike traditional pathology based models, my approach focuses on identity exploration and executive function support through innovative, strengths based interventions—including my pioneering work in therapeutic tabletop gaming (TTRPG). Whether you are a parent seeking an ADHD informed therapist for your daughter or a woman looking to unmask and manage sensory processing challenges, I provide a geek friendly, inclusive space for healing. Book your free 15-minute telehealth consultation today to start your work with a specialist who celebrates your unique brain wiring rather than trying to fix it.
Click here to schedule your free 15-minute consultation, or call 704-702-2400. During this meeting, we will review what the process of therapy will look like for you, what you can expect from me, and answer any questions you might have. For more information on therapy with me click here.
Arty by Cosmic Petraits
You do not have to mask in therapy with me. My goal is not to teach autistic women to look or act more neurotypical. Instead, we can work together to understand your autistic identity, recognize your sensory and communication needs, recover from masking and autistic burnout, advocate for accommodations, and build a life that works with your brain rather than against it.
Common Questions About Autism/ADHD Diagnosis
Learning that you are on the Autism spectrum, or have ADHD, as an adult can be both a librating and frightening experience. Your whole perspective and understanding of your life can change in a moment. There is nothing wrong with you, this is learning to see your brain and yourself for who you really are. While letting go of the neurotypical mask can be difficult learning how to embrace your Autism/ADHD can be one of the most powerful experiences in your life. Taking time to process the diagnosis, either through your own research, talking with friends or therapy is very helpful.
I was diagnosed with Autism/ADHD as an adult, what happens now?
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Masking or as it is sometimes called camouflaging is one of the most ‘adaptive’ coping methods that both undiagnosed and diagnosed neurodiverse people utilize. Making creates a unique set of challenges because the better you are at it the more places your masked self can be accepted and the more energy you have to put into keeping the mask on. You might even feel as though you don’t know who you are without the mask. This is a normal feeling and learning how to unmask and show more of your true self to the world takes time and will go better with support. I have free resources in my members area that can help with better understanding masking and how to start being the true you in your day to day life.
I’ve spent my whole life masking. How do I unmask?
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Bone deep exhaustion, or burnout, is often what can proceed an autism diagnosis. This is burnout that comes from a lifetime of masking. It is an exhaustion that goes beyond what most books on burnout can address. Neurodiverse burnout is different and takes a different path of recovery than it does for neurotypical folks. Working through burnout is possible and is easier with support. I have additional free resources on burnout and recovery in my members area.
Why am I suddenly so exhausted?
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What if I also have ADHD?
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For many neurodiversity is not just Autism it can include ADHD. The term that is commonly used now is AuDHD to encompass both diagnoses. The two diagnoses can magnify the challenges in one another and can make functioning difficult. There are many resources available to include self-help books for AuDHD folks, medication, and therapy. The good news is you are not on this journey alone, many are walking along side of you and have tips and tricks that can be helpful as you learn how to navigate life with AuDHD.
What does neuro-affirming therapy look like?
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As a neuro-affirming therapist I don’t see your Autism/ADHD/AuDHD as something that needs to be fixed. Your brain is not broken it just works differently. My job isn’t to make you neurotypical, or to improve how well you mask. My job is to help you learn about how your brain works, how to manage your challenges so that you can go out and live your authentic life. You won’t have to mask in session with me. We can speak plainly and talk through the challenges you face so that you can recover from burnout, learn how to reduce masking, and be fully present and engaged in your life.
Can I work with Dr. Megan online if I don’t live in North Carolina?
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Yes! As part of the PsyPact my North Carolina license in recognized in over 40 states. This means that I can practice virtually across the US. The full and most up to date list of states that are part of the PsyPact can be found here. If your state is not part of the PsyPact, write to your state representatives to let them know you want your state to join!
No. For many women this has been a journey of self-discovery not one of a formal diagnosis and evaluation. I work with many women who are self-identified as being neurodiverse. Formal diagnosis and evaluation can be helpful for some but it is not needed for everyone. If you think that you could benefit from Neuro-affirming therapy and to learn about Autism or ADHD neuro-affirming therapy is a great place to start.
Do I need a formal Autism or ADHD diagnosis?
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There are many therapist out there and finding the right one for you is vitally important. I understand the journey that the neurodiverse woman has been on. She starts with being the shy girl in the classroom, who is later picked on and bullied. She gets diagnosed with anxiety, then depression, and possibly OCD or BPD. She has learned to be an over achiever and did very well in school and early in her career. Now though, she is burned out. She is exhausted and does not know how much longer she can keep this up. You don’t have to keep doing this all alone, we can work together to help you find a path out of burnout and into the life you want to be living.
I take my work and my training seriously. I am among only 4% of psychologists that are board certified. I continually read new works in the field and want to bring as much of the newest findings in research to our sessions to help you. Finding the right fit is important. This is why I offer a free 15-minute meet and greet call so I can answer your questions and you can see if you would feel comfortable working with me.
Why should I work with Dr. Megan Connell?
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What to expect at your first session
Our first meeting will be an intake interview. Our intake will start with a review of the informed consent and limits of confidentiality. During the intake interview I will ask a wide range of questions so that I can understand you, your history and your reasons for seeking therapy. This session will usually last between 45-60 minuets.
What to expect at Follow-Up Sessions
Your follow up sessions will all be around 45-55 minuets. We typically will start with a check in to see if there is anything urgent we need to discuss. We will then typically move into discussing your therapy homework, how it went and what you observed. We will then start talking through the challenges you are facing. My approach will be a combination of listening, education about the human mind and human behavior, and discussing alternative behaviors to help you reach your therapy goals.
How Often We meet
I like to meet once a week with my clients for about four to eight weeks (depending on the nature of the challenge weekly sessions might go on for longer). Then, once it seems you are doing well, we will start meeting every two weeks, and if the gains are maintained, we then move into monthly check-ins. If you continue doing well we either move into maintenance therapy, where we meet every one to three months, or we terminate therapy. I hope to have most of my clients reaching termination of active therapy in 12 sessions.
“My ultimate goal in therapy is to have my clients reach the point where they feel therapy is no longer needed.”
Providing individual therapy to those with Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Adjustment, and Women on the Autism Spectrum to those living in:
North Carolina; License number 5060
Maine; License number PS2672
South Carolina; License number PSY.1766 PSY
Washington; License number PY60181879
Practicing under the PsyPact, mobility number 9418, in the Following States:
Alabama - AL SB 102 (Enacted 3/18/2021; Effective 6/1/2021)
Alaska- AK H.B. 110 (Enacted 6/22/2026, Effective 9/20/2026)
Arizona - AZ HB 2503 (Enacted on 5/17/2016; Effective 7/1/2020)
Arkansas - AR HB 1760 (Enacted 4/25/2021; Effective (11/18/2021)
Colorado - CO HB 1017 (Enacted 4/12/2018; Effective 7/1/2020)
Connecticut -CT S 2(Enacted 5/24/2022; Effective 10/1/2022)
Delaware - DE HB 172 (Enacted 6/27/2019; Effective 7/1/2020)
District of Columbia - DC B 145 (Enacted and Effective 4/2/2021)
Florida -FL H 33(Enacted 5/25/2023; Effective 7/1/2023)
Georgia - GA HB 26 (Enacted 4/23/2019; Effective 7/1/2020)
Idaho - ID S 1305 (Enacted 3/23/2022; Effective 7/1/2022)
Illinois - IL HB 1853 (Enacted 8/22/2018, Effective 7/1/2020)
Indiana -IN S 365(Enacted 3/10/2022; Effective 7/1/2022)
Kansas - KS SB 170 (Enacted 5/17/2021; Effective 1/1/2022)
Kentucky - KY HB 38 (Enacted 3/18/2021; Effective 6/28/2021)
Maine - ME HB 631 (Enacted 6/22/2021; Effective 10/18/2021)
Maryland - MD HB 970 (Enacted and Effective 5/18/2021)
Michigan -MI H 5489(Enacted 12/22/2022; Effective 3/29/2023)
Minnesota - MN SB 193 (Enacted 5/25/2021; Effective 5/26/2021)
Mississippi -SB 2157(Enacted 4/8/2024; Effective 4/15/2024)
Missouri - MO HB 1719/MO SB 660 (Enacted 6/1/2018; Effective 7/1/2020)
Montana - MTH.B. 241 (Enacted 4/16/2025 ; Effective 10/1/2025)
Nebraska - NE L 1034 (Enacted 4/23/2018; Effective 7/1/2020)
Nevada - NV AB 429 (Enacted on 5/26/2017; Effective 7/1/2020)
New Hampshire- NH SB 232 (Enacted 7/10/2019; Effective 7/1/2020)
New Jersey -NJ A 4205(Enacted 9/24/2021; Effective 11/23/2021)
North Carolina - NC 361 (Enacted 7/1/2020; Effective 3/1/2021)
North Dakota -ND S 2205(Enacted 4/13/2023; Effective 8/1/2023)
Northern Marianas - CNMI HB 22-80 (Enacted and Effective 10/24/2022)
Ohio -OH S 2 (Enacted 4/27/2021; Effective 7/26/2021)
Oklahoma - OK HB 1057 (Enacted 4/29/2019; Effective 7/1/2020)
Pennsylvania- PA SB 67(Enacted 5/8/2020; Effective 7/8/2020)
Rhode Island -RI H 7501(Enacted 6/21/2022; Effective7/1/2023)
South Carolina -SC H 3204(Enacted 5/16/2023; Effective7/17/2023)
South Dakota -SD H 1017(Enacted 2/13/24: Effective 7/1/2024)
Tennessee -TN S 161 (Enacted and Effective 5/11/2021)
Texas - TX HB 1501 (Enacted 6/10/2019; Effective 7/1/2020)
Utah - UT SB 106 (Enacted on 3/17/2017; Effective 7/1/2020)
Vermont -VT H 282(Enacted 6/1/2023; Effective 7/1/2024)
Virginia- VA SB 760(Enacted 4/11/2020; Effective 1/1/2021)
Washington -WA H 1286(Enacted 3/4/2022; Effective 6/9/2022)
West Virginia - WV SB 668 (Enacted 4/21/2021; Effective 11/18/2021)
Wisconsin -WI A 537 (Enacted 2/4/2022; Effective 2/6/2022)
Wyoming - WY S 26 (Enacted 2/15/2023; Effective 2/15/2023)