Autism therapists in Santa Ana, California CA
Find experienced Autism therapists in Santa Ana who provide Autism testing, evaluations, and therapy. Our directory features detailed therapist profiles so you can compare qualifications, specialties, and treatment approaches to find the provider that’s right for you.
Autism
Juliette Kuhlmann
Marriage and Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
I have experience with teens and adults on the autism spectrum, as well as AuDHDers (dually diagnosed with ADHD and Autism). My style is affirming and validating by nature, and I provide a space where we can explore your experiences with masking, feeling misunderstood, and the joys of being on the autism spectrum. I also offer adult ADHD/Autism assessments for those seeking a formal diagnosis or simply more clarity on their neurodivergent profile.
3 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Ana, CA
Online in Santa Ana, CA California
Autism
Monica M. Huston
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
I work with individuals on the autism spectrum and their families to better understand communication styles, emotional experiences, and relational dynamics. My approach is respectful, collaborative, and tailored to each person’s strengths and needs. Therapy can support increased self-understanding, improved relationships, and navigating social or emotional challenges with greater clarity and confidence.
9 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Ana, CA
Online in Santa Ana, CA California
Autism
TREATMENT AND TOOLS FOR TRAUMA
Licensed Psychoanalyst, PH.D., IN PSYCHOANALYSIS AND NEUROSCIENCE, CERTIFIED PSYCHOANALYST, PSY.A, & LICENSED PSYCHOANALYST
My practice will diagnose and treat the 5 variations of autism including Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Kanner's Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. I believe these problems are primarily a result of problems in the brain. The brain is not working normally, and hence neither is the mind. My treatment involves mind/brain approaches. You are welcome to call my office at 661-478-0667 for an evaluation.
36 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Ana, CA
Online in Santa Ana, CA California
Autism
Freestyle Supervision and EMDR Group LLC
Counselor/Therapist, LPCC-S, LEP, NCC, APCC, AMFT, ASW, NCC
In our practice, being "Autism-friendly" means more than just awareness; it means creating a space where your sensory needs, communication style, and special interests are respected. We help you navigate a neurotypical world while honoring your need for downtime, routine, and unmasking. Our goal is to help you build a life that feels authentic and safe for your nervous system.
4 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Ana, CA
Online in Santa Ana, CA California
Autism
Dorit Saberi-Thrive Psychological Services
Psychologist, Ph.D, Diplomate-Academy of Cognitive Therapy; Trainer- Prolonged Exposure for PTSD- CTSA
Experience using Dialectical Behavior Therapy for neurodivergence.
24 Years Experience
Online in Santa Ana, CA California (Online Only)
Autism
Advanced Psychological Associates & Wellness Center
Psychologist, PsyD, Phd, LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, Certified Hypnotist & Biofeedback Technician, Massage & Acupuncturist
Our goal is to help you uncover your true potential, and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. Our practice style is goal oriented using numerous approaches.
24 Years Experience
In-Person Near Santa Ana, CA
Autism
Kayzim Suárez-Reyes
Psychologist, PhD
My practice holds a significant, neurodiversity-affirming specialization in supporting individuals on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I understand that autism is a difference in how the brain processes information, not a deficit. I help clients navigate the unique challenges of sensory processing, social communication, and intense special interests, moving beyond masking and toward authentic self-expression. Whether you are seeking a late-in-life diagnosis, or need support managing overwhelm and building meaningful connections, I offer a compassionate, evidence-based approach that respects your unique strengths and needs. I also have close loved ones with high functioning autism!
19 Years Experience
Online in Santa Ana, CA California (Online Only)
Autism
Mia Turner
Therapist, MA, RYT, ASDCS, LMFT, NPT-C, CMNCS, CMIP
Neurodiversity-affirming Autism therapy for teens and adults and Autism evaluations for adults seeking deeper self-understanding, validation, support, and clarity. As an AuDHDer, my work is especially attuned to the experiences of high-masking, late-identified, gifted, AFAB, BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, creative, PDA, quirky, curious, spiritually-oriented, and otherwise frequently overlooked Autistic and AuDHD individuals whose experiences may have been misunderstood, missed, dismissed, or pathologized for years.
Support often focuses on identity, sensory experiences, monotropism, passionate interests, communication and relational styles, autistic burnout, nervous system regulation, interoception, executive functioning, self-advocacy, belonging, and the lifelong impact of adapting within environments that may not have recognized, understood, or supported autistic needs. Exploration may include the influence of culture, race, gender, disability, chronic illness, family systems, spirituality, community, trauma, and societal expectations, as well as the internalized ableism and narratives that can develop when your natural ways of being are repeatedly questioned, corrected, accommodated too little, or misunderstood.
Particular attention is given to the ways masking, overcompensation, chronic self-monitoring, perfectionism, people-pleasing, hyper-independence, and other adaptive survival strategies can emerge in response to misunderstanding, marginalization, trauma, and the pressure to appear more neurotypical. Autism is understood not simply through behaviors or traits, but through the lived experience of moving through the world in an Autistic bodymind. This includes the relationship between sensory processing, energy capacity, nervous system states, movement, rest, transitions, interests, environmental fit, authenticity, and safety.
Rather than focusing on how to appear more neurotypical, therapy centers self-understanding, self-trust, self-accommodation, and creating a life that honors your natural rhythms, sensory needs, interests, values, strengths, and ways of relating. My approach integrates EMDR, somatic therapy, mindfulness, parts work, expressive arts, executive functioning support, geek therapy, and neuropsychotherapy through a neurodiversity-affirming, nervous-system-centered, and liberation-oriented lens.
I also provide comprehensive virtual Autism evaluations utilizing a culturally conscious, sensory-informed, neurodivergent-affirming approach designed to identify presentations that are frequently overlooked in traditional assessment settings. Evaluations move beyond checklists and stereotypes to include an in-depth exploration of developmental history, lived experience, sensory patterns, masking, strengths, challenges, identity, relationships, nervous system patterns, and neurotype, resulting in a thorough affirming report with personalized recommendations, resources, and a deeper understanding of yourself through a lens that recognizes difference rather than deficit.
10 Years Experience
Online in Santa Ana, CA California (Online Only)
Autism
Sara Fraser
Psychologist, PhD
As we increasingly better understand the range of the autism spectrum, including the various ways that ASD can manifest and be masked, work with ASD clients will work on goals that clients self-determine and at a pace that is affirming and encouraging. Neurodiversity is affirmed in my practice with ASD clients and therapeutic goals will always be collaborative and self-paced.
26 Years Experience
Online in Santa Ana, CA California (Online Only)
Autism
Stephanie Brumfield
Therapist, LCSW
In my therapeutic approach, autism is embraced as a profound spiritual journey towards awakening to one's authentic self and the process of unmasking. This perspective honors the unique way autistic individuals experience the world, focusing on the deep self-discovery that comes from navigating life with an innate depth of feeling, heightened sensitivity, and a distinct way of processing experiences. By viewing autism through this lens, we celebrate the strengths, creativity, and insights that being autistic brings, shifting away from pathologizing to understanding autism as an integral part of one's identity and spiritual path.
The core of our work together is to empower autistic individuals to live authentically, leveraging their unique gifts to lead a life of fulfillment and connection. This journey involves developing strategies to manage sensory sensitivities, enhance communication, and foster meaningful relationships, all while reducing feelings of overwhelm and self-criticism. Central to this process is the unmasking of one’s true identity, shedding societal expectations and labels to reveal the authentic self beneath.
Seeing autism as a spiritual journey of awakening and unmasking allows us to support individuals in embracing their neurodiversity as a source of healing, strength, and profound personal growth. Together, we explore the richness of the autistic experience, fostering a deep sense of belonging, self-acceptance, and joy in the journey towards self-discovery and spiritual fulfillment. This approach not only affirms the value and beauty of the autistic way of being but also highlights the importance of celebrating each individual's journey towards embracing their authentic self.
8 Years Experience
Online in Santa Ana, CA California (Online Only)
Santa Ana is one of the most densely populated cities in the United States and has an overwhelmingly Latino population — predominantly Mexican American, with significant Central American communities — making Spanish-speaking and bicultural therapists not a specialty but a baseline requirement for meaningful access to care. The city's families navigate a complex mix of immigration stress, economic precarity, and the particular challenges of raising children across cultures, and therapists fluent in both language and cultural context serve an essential community function. CHOC Children's and the broader Orange County healthcare system provide institutional mental health resources, though access can be limited by insurance and immigration-related barriers. Telehealth has meaningfully expanded therapy access for Santa Ana residents who prefer culturally matched care over what is available locally.
Autism therapists in Santa Ana, California Statistics
Autism therapists in Santa Ana, California average 15 years of experience and charge around $222 per session. 96% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (66%), Family Systems Therapy (48%), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) (46%).
Average years in practice
15 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$222
Accept insurance
44%
Offer sliding scale
46%
Gender ID
| 55% |
Female |
|
| 29% |
Male |
|
| 8% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 8% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 64% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 32% |
Online Only |
|
| 4% |
In Person Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 66% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 48% | Family Systems Therapy |
| 46% | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) |
| 40% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
| 40% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 38% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
| 38% | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) |
Ages Served
| 100% | Adult |
| 74% | Young Adult |
| 62% | Teen |
| 60% | Senior |
| 44% | Children |
Client Focus
| 60% | LGBTQ+ |
| 58% | Women |
| 44% | Persons with Disabilities |
| 42% | Black / African American |
| 38% | Military / Veterans |