Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) & Autistic Mental Health

Autistic adolescents and adults may experience unique challenges related to emotional regulation, anxiety, social communication, sensory sensitivities, identity development, and navigating environments that do not adequately accommodate their needs.

Dr. Neal provides neurodiversity-affirming therapy that supports autistic individuals in understanding their emotional experiences, identifying personal strengths, developing effective coping strategies, and navigating relationships while honoring their authentic identities.

Common treatment areas include:

• Emotional dysregulation, overwhelm, shutdowns, and burnout

• Anxiety, depression, OCD, and co-occurring mental health concerns

• Social communication, relationships, and self-advocacy

• Masking, identity development, and self-acceptance

• Sensory-related stress and individualized accommodations

• Executive functioning, independence, and life transitions

Treatment incorporates structured, individualized interventions, including adapted CBT and DBT skills, visual supports, explicit instruction, and practical strategies that accommodate each client's processing and communication preferences.

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ADHD & Executive Functioning Difficulties

ADHD can affect far more than attention. Adolescents and adults with ADHD may experience challenges with planning, organization, task initiation, emotional regulation, time management, motivation, and follow-through.

Dr. Neal provides evidence-based ADHD therapy and executive functioning support that addresses both the emotional and behavioral aspects of daily functioning.

Treatment may focus on:

• Procrastination, avoidance, and difficulty initiating tasks

• Organization, prioritization, planning, and time management

• Emotional reactivity, frustration tolerance, and self-criticism

• Academic, occupational, and daily living responsibilities

• Building sustainable routines and organizational systems

• Strengthening independence, accountability, and self-confidence

Through individualized CBT, DBT-informed interventions, and executive functioning strategies, clients develop practical systems that support greater consistency, flexibility, and goal-directed behavior.

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AuDHD: Co-Occurring Autism & ADHD

Individuals with both autism and ADHD, often referred to as AuDHD, may experience a complex interaction between sensory needs, executive functioning challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, and competing needs for structure and flexibility.

Dr. Neal recognizes that co-occurring autism and ADHD require an individualized treatment approach that considers how these neurodevelopmental differences interact.

Treatment may address autistic burnout, emotional overwhelm, difficulty with transitions, inconsistent task initiation, sensory stress, and the challenges of balancing predictability with changing demands.

Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, therapy emphasizes flexible accommodations, collaborative problem-solving, self-understanding, and sustainable strategies for everyday functioning.

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Anxiety Disorders & Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Dr. Neal provides evidence-based treatment for anxiety and OCD, including concerns that frequently co-occur with autism and ADHD.

Areas of treatment include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder and chronic worry

• Social anxiety and fear of negative evaluation

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder, intrusive thoughts, and compulsive behaviors

• Panic attacks and panic disorder

• Specific phobias and avoidance

• Perfectionism, intolerance of uncertainty, and reassurance-seeking

Treatment may integrate CBT, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), ACT, and mindfulness-based strategies to reduce avoidance, increase psychological flexibility, and strengthen coping.

For neurodivergent clients, interventions are adapted to distinguish anxiety-driven avoidance from legitimate sensory, cognitive, or environmental support needs.

 

Depression, Emotional Dysregulation & Burnout

Depression and emotional overwhelm can affect motivation, self-esteem, relationships, and daily functioning. For neurodivergent individuals, these difficulties may be compounded by chronic stress, masking, sensory overload, or repeated experiences of misunderstanding.

Dr. Neal helps clients identify patterns contributing to emotional distress and develop individualized strategies to improve emotional awareness, distress tolerance, behavioral activation, and self-compassion.

Treatment emphasizes building a more sustainable relationship with daily demands while strengthening resilience, confidence, and emotional well-being.

 

Trauma, Chronic Stress & Emotional Resilience

Dr. Neal offers trauma-informed psychological treatment for individuals navigating difficult life experiences, chronic stress, emotional invalidation, and trauma-related concerns.

Therapy focuses on understanding the relationships between past experiences, current emotional responses, self-perception, and interpersonal patterns.

Treatment may include emotional regulation skills, cognitive and behavioral interventions, mindfulness, boundary-setting, and strategies for strengthening self-trust and psychological flexibility.

 

Women's Mental Health & Life Transitions

Dr. Neal provides individualized psychological support for women navigating anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, identity changes, relationship stress, and reproductive or caregiving transitions.

Areas of focus include perinatal and postpartum emotional challenges, mood-related concerns associated with hormonal transitions, chronic stress, and the demands of balancing personal, professional, and family responsibilities.

Her approach emphasizes emotional well-being, self-compassion, healthy boundaries, and meaningful, values-aligned change.

 

Relationships, Social Confidence & Emerging Adulthood

Dr. Neal supports adolescents and adults experiencing relationship challenges, social anxiety, interpersonal conflict, and difficulties navigating major life transitions.

Treatment may focus on communication skills, assertiveness, self-advocacy, boundary-setting, emotional awareness, and navigating friendships, romantic relationships, family dynamics, or academic and occupational transitions.

For neurodivergent individuals, interpersonal effectiveness strategies are adapted to support authentic communication and meaningful relationships without requiring unnecessary masking or conformity to neurotypical social expectations.

 

How I Adapt CBT, DBT & ACT for Neurodivergent Clients

Traditional psychotherapy approaches may require thoughtful modifications to address the cognitive, sensory, emotional, and communication differences experienced by autistic individuals and those with ADHD.

My approach to neurodiversity-affirming therapy emphasizes individualized treatment rather than expecting clients to adapt to a rigid therapeutic model.

Depending on each client's needs, treatment may incorporate:

• Structured, concrete instruction: Breaking down abstract therapeutic concepts into clear, understandable steps.

• Visual supports and practical examples: Using worksheets, diagrams, written summaries, and real-life scenarios to reinforce learning.

• Executive functioning accommodations: Incorporating reminders, task breakdowns, organizational systems, and between-session planning.

• Sensory-informed strategies: Recognizing the impact of sensory overload, fatigue, and environmental demands on emotional well-being.

• Individualized emotional regulation skills: Adapting mindfulness, distress tolerance, and coping strategies to each person's emotional and sensory experiences.

• Collaborative, strengths-based treatment: Respecting neurodivergent identity, autonomy, communication preferences, and individual goals.

The goal is not to change who you are, but to develop effective, accessible strategies that support your well-being, independence, relationships, and quality of life.

Specialized Psychological Care, Tailored to You

Finding a psychologist who understands both neurodevelopmental differences and co-occurring mental health challenges can make a meaningful difference in the therapeutic experience.

Whether you're navigating autism, ADHD, anxiety, OCD, emotional overwhelm, executive functioning difficulties, or relationship challenges, Dr. Neal offers a collaborative, compassionate approach grounded in clinical expertise and individualized care.

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Explore how neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based therapy can support your unique needs and goals. Schedule a Consultation