Where in the world is my ideal therapist?
May 11, 2020 5:51 AM
I'm looking for a really great, extremely autism positive therapist who is currently taking new patients for online therapy. Since this will be a digital interaction, I'm easy as to geography.
So, in various ways the lockdown situation has really highlighted some issues in a way where it's looking l like my current therapist isn't ever going to be what I want/need her to be. That sucks, and in some ways it sucks to be looking for a new therapist now, of all times. However, it's occurred to me that one bonus is that since pretty much all therapy is online now anyway, I'm no longer limited to my current locale, which has been a major issue, particularly when looking for therapists who treat adults with autism. I got diagnosed a couple of years ago, and I'm still in the process of figuring out what that means for me. I'm looking for a therapist who:
- Knows about autism and the variety of ways that can present - eg, won't assume that I have low empathy, doesn't stick to a misleading 'functioning level' typology, will be able to talk about executive functioning issues
- Not only won't pathologise normal autistic traits, but will be actively autism positive and encourage me to explore accommodations, stim in a healthy way etc, while remaining sensitive to the difficulties of navigating a neurotypical world
- Ideally, is also aware of trans issues and actively trans-positive; minimally, will be okay with the fact that I'm nonbinary and will try not to misgender me or my friends
- Is taking new clients for online-only appointments in English, with some timeslots that are doable for a person living in a GMT timezone
This person could be anywhere, as far as I'm concerned - I just want someone who gets this stuff and can help me.
So, in various ways the lockdown situation has really highlighted some issues in a way where it's looking l like my current therapist isn't ever going to be what I want/need her to be. That sucks, and in some ways it sucks to be looking for a new therapist now, of all times. However, it's occurred to me that one bonus is that since pretty much all therapy is online now anyway, I'm no longer limited to my current locale, which has been a major issue, particularly when looking for therapists who treat adults with autism. I got diagnosed a couple of years ago, and I'm still in the process of figuring out what that means for me. I'm looking for a therapist who:
- Knows about autism and the variety of ways that can present - eg, won't assume that I have low empathy, doesn't stick to a misleading 'functioning level' typology, will be able to talk about executive functioning issues
- Not only won't pathologise normal autistic traits, but will be actively autism positive and encourage me to explore accommodations, stim in a healthy way etc, while remaining sensitive to the difficulties of navigating a neurotypical world
- Ideally, is also aware of trans issues and actively trans-positive; minimally, will be okay with the fact that I'm nonbinary and will try not to misgender me or my friends
- Is taking new clients for online-only appointments in English, with some timeslots that are doable for a person living in a GMT timezone
This person could be anywhere, as far as I'm concerned - I just want someone who gets this stuff and can help me.
Just a note because I was asked about it - I am self-funding.
posted by Acheman at 1:35 PM on May 11, 2020
posted by Acheman at 1:35 PM on May 11, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by corvine at 1:15 PM on May 11, 2020