Autism therapists in Hickory, North Carolina NC
Find experienced Autism therapists in Hickory 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
Emily Stone
Marriage and Family Therapist, MA, MDiv, PhD, LMFT-S
Autism: Navigating the Neuro-Affirming Path
For Individuals and Neuro-Distinct Couples
In a world designed for neurotypical sensory and social processing, living on the spectrum often feels like an endless exercise in translation. My practice provides a space where Autism is not viewed as a deficit to be cured, but a unique neuro-type to be understood and accommodated. Whether you are navigating your own late-diagnosed discovery or are part of a couple where one partner is neurodivergent, we work to build a life that honors your nervous system.
For the Individual: From Masking to Authenticity
Chronic "masking"—the effort to appear neurotypical—is one of the primary drivers of burnout. Together, we work to identify your unique sensory and cognitive profile so you can move from surviving to thriving.
Managing Overwhelm: We identify the specific environmental and social triggers that lead to sensory overwhelms before they escalate.
Melt Downs & Shut Downs: We develop compassionate strategies for the moments when the nervous system becomes overloaded. Whether it’s an externalized melt down or an internalized shut down, we focus on safety and recovery rather than shame.
Energy Accounting: Learning how to budget your "social and cognitive spoons" to prevent the deep exhaustion of autistic burnout.
For the Couple: Bridging the Neuro-Distinct Gap
When one partner is neurotypical and the other is autistic, the "relational system" can often fall into cycles of misunderstanding. I help couples move past the "double empathy problem" and build a shared language.
Decoding the Shut Down: Helping the neurotypical partner understand that a shut down is not a withdrawal of love, but a physiological need for regulation.
Communication Systems: Moving away from "hinting" and toward direct, explicit communication that reduces anxiety for both partners.
Shared Regulation: Creating a "sensory-safe" home environment where both partners' needs are respected without one person's comfort coming at the cost of the other's.
A Systems-Rooted Approach
Leveraging my background in Systems Theory and Attachment, I look at how the external world—workplaces, family expectations, and social constructs—impacts your neurodivergent experience. You aren't "broken"; you are a different kind of "wired," and you deserve a relationship and a life that reflects that.
21 Years Experience
Online in Hickory, NC North Carolina (Online Only)
Autism
Tal Brafford
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LCMHC-A
As a person with Autism, I understand the weight of masking and many common sensory and social challenges, while appreciating the nuances of Autism and the diversity with which it animates in each individual. I get so much joy out of helping people grow to accept themselves and live authentically. I do not have the credentials to diagnose Autism. My work is focused primarily on self-discovery, acceptance, and exploring practical support measures. Above all else, I don't want my neurodivergent clients to feel alone.
0 Years Experience
Online in Hickory, NC North Carolina
Autism
Beth Janis
Psychologist, Ph.D.
I enjoy working with neurodivergent individuals (e.g., ADHD, Autism, SPD) and their families to better understand themselves, the strengths and uniqueness of their differently-wired brains, and the areas in which they feel stuck. I utilize a neurodiversity-affirming lens that emphasizes seeing the whole person and that integrates their preferences related to sensory processing, communication and relationships, and special interests. I value collaborating with other service providers and joining with the individual and family at any stage of the diagnostic and self-discovery process.
8 Years Experience
Online in Hickory, NC North Carolina
Autism
Elemental Self Institute
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
All the clinicians at ESI are neurodivergent-affirming and some of the clinicians have lived experience of being diagnosed and navigating the world as a neurodivergent person. We particularly work with late-diagnosed adults rediscovering themselves and trying to figure out managing burnout, emotional regulation, socialization, and work options.
7 Years Experience
Online in Hickory, NC North Carolina (Online Only)
Autism
Tricia Osterberger
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, LCAS
I work with folks who want to understand how neurodivergence impacts their experience of the world and the grief that may be associated. We look at what it means to try to navigate a world that wasn't built for you and how you may have been misdiagnosed in the past.
16 Years Experience
Online in Hickory, NC North Carolina (Online Only)
Autism therapists in Hickory, North Carolina Statistics
Autism therapists in Hickory, North Carolina average 15 years of experience and charge around $207 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (60%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (42%), and Behavioral Therapy (33%).
Average years in practice
15 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$207
Accept insurance
33%
Offer sliding scale
35%
Gender ID
| 53% |
Female |
|
| 27% |
Male |
|
| 10% |
Gender Fluid |
|
| 10% |
Non-Binary |
|
Session Type
| 58% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 42% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 60% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 42% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 33% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 31% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 31% | Multicultural Therapy |
| 29% | Psychoeducational Therapy |
| 29% | Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) |
Ages Served
| 98% | Adult |
| 81% | Young Adult |
| 56% | Teen |
| 48% | Senior |
| 35% | Children |
Client Focus
| 63% | Women |
| 58% | LGBTQ+ |
| 48% | Men |
| 46% | Persons with Disabilities |
| 38% | Black / African American |