Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy in Washington

Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy for Children, Teens, and Adults

Therapy can provide space to explore whether being neurodivergent resonates with your lived experience whether you are formally diagnosed, self-identified, or simply questioning.

Neurodivergent-affirming therapy honors your brain, your identity, and your lived experience. Instead of focusing on masking or changing personality traits, we work together to build skills, reduce stress, and create a life that feels sustainable and authentic.

What is Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy?

Neurodivergent-affirming therapy is an approach that honors neurological differences including ADHD, autism, sensory sensitivity, and learning differences as valid and meaningful ways of experiencing the world.

Instead of focusing on making someone appear “more neurotypical,” therapy centers on reducing shame, supporting nervous system regulation, and helping clients build lives that work for their brains.

We can explore:

  • How your brain works

  • Where burnout or masking may be happening

  • How systems (school, work, family, culture) impact you

  • Practical supports that actually fit your nervous system

This approach:

  • Respects sensory, communication, and processing differences

  • Reduces shame and masking

  • Builds on strengths and interests

  • Supports accommodations

  • Centers identity, culture, and lived experiences

My Approach

I practice from a neurodivergent-affirming lens. This means I do not see autism, ADHD, or other neurotypes as disorders that need to be “fixed.” Instead, I understand neurodivergence as a natural variation in how the brain processes the world.

Many of my clients come to therapy feeling exhausted from masking, misunderstood in relationships, or burned out from trying to fit into environments that weren’t built for them.

What Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy Means in Practice:

  • Support around unmasking safely and at your own pace

  • Understanding sensory needs and nervous system regulation

  • Exploring identity, especially for late-diagnosed adults

  • Processing trauma related to bullying, racism, sexism, or ableism

  • Executive functioning support that works with your brain — not against it

Our work may include:

  • Understanding burnout

  • Rebuilding self-trust

  • Challenging internalized ableism

  • Developing sustainable routines

  • Learning boundaries that protect your energy

Sessions can be structured or flexible. Direct or exploratory. Deep or practical. We will collaborate to create a space that feels regulating, empowering, and real.

Therapy That Moves at Your Pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Step 1: Schedule a free 15-minute consult call.

    Here’s what to expect during the consult call:

    • Briefly discuss what's bringing you to therapy

    • I'll ask about what you expect of me as your therapist

    • I’ll tell you a bit about myself and my approach as a therapist

    • You can ask me any questions I didn’t cover

    Step 2: If we decide we are a good fit, we'll schedule your 50 minute intake appointment. I'll email you intake forms to complete online before that first session.

    During your intake appointment, I'll ask questions to get to know you better, and provide more specific feedback about how I can help.

    Step 3: From there, I typically meet with clients on a weekly or biweekly basis until you have reached your treatment goals.

  • Individual therapy (50 min) $220

    Parent/Family coaching (50 min) $220

    Please note: I am an out-of-network provider which means I do not accept insurance. I provide superbills for clients who plan to request out-of-network reimbursement from their insurance company.

  • I am an out-of-network provider which means I do not accept insurance. I am happy to provide you with a superbill, which you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. It is your responsibility to contact your insurance company to explore your out-of-network benefits. 

    You may want to ask your insurance provider about the following CPT codes:

    • 90791 - Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation

    • 90834 - Individual psychotherapy

    • 90847 - Family psychotherapy without patient present

    If you are not planning to use insurance, you are entitled to a Good Faith Estimate under the No Surprises Act. Learn more about that here

  • It’s always a good idea to call the number on the back of your health insurance card for more information. Per request, I can email you a monthly superbill (detailed receipt) which you then submit to your insurance company. Your insurance company will then mail you a check with your reimbursement.

    You can ask them the following questions:

    • Do I have out-of-network outpatient mental health coverage? Am I able to use these benefits for telehealth?

    • What is my out-of-network deductible?

    • How much of my deductible has been met this year?

    • Do I need a referral from an in-network provider to see someone out-of-network?

    • What percentage of outpatient psychotherapy sessions are covered per session?

    • How much will I be reimbursed for a 45 minute psychotherapy session (CPT code: 90834)?

    • How do I submit claim forms for reimbursement?

    • How long does it take for me to receive reimbursement?

  • Yes! Please inquire about sliding scale fees and availability.

Contact us!

Tel: (253) 948-5870

Email: drraisa@nshoretherapy.com

Fill out the form below for any questions and inquires. We look forward to hearing from you!