Autism therapists in Shelby, North Carolina NC
Find experienced Autism therapists in Shelby 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 and Asperger's
Jonathan Schmalz
Psychologist, PhD, HSP-P
Many autistic adults struggle to have connections with others in ways they would like. Moreover, social situations may feel downright confusing and anxiety-provoking and intimate relationships may seem impossible. In the professional sphere, you may struggle to keep steady employment, often finding that your ways of communicating with co-workers and bosses make it hard to feel you belong or that your talents are appreciated. I take an affirming, autism-informed approach in helping autistic adults to better appreciate themselves and thrive in their relationships and life pursuits.
17 Years Experience
Online in Shelby, NC North Carolina
Autism and Asperger's
Congruence Counseling Group
Counselor/Therapist, MSW, LCSW, M.Ed. LCMHC, LMFT
Congruence Counseling Group can support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder by helping them better understand their strengths, navigate social and emotional challenges, and develop practical skills for daily life. A supportive therapeutic space can foster communication, emotional regulation, and self-advocacy while honoring each person’s unique way of thinking, learning, and experiencing the world.
20 Years Experience
Online in Shelby, NC North Carolina
Autism and Asperger's
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 Shelby, NC North Carolina (Online Only)
Autism and Asperger's
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 Shelby, NC North Carolina (Online Only)
Autism and Asperger's
Dorothy Brown
Psychologist, Ph.D.
I have seen people on the spectrum for 30 years. I've run a group for parents of people on the spectrum. Each person on the spectrum has different needs. Some people want to be more social and some do not. I respect what ever their goals are and work toward positive change that brings their life more fullfilling.
36 Years Experience
Online in Shelby, NC North Carolina
Autism therapists in Shelby, North Carolina Statistics
Autism therapists in Shelby, North Carolina average 16 years of experience and charge around $210 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (66%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (47%), and Behavioral Therapy (36%).
Average years in practice
16 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$210
Accept insurance
30%
Offer sliding scale
36%
Gender ID
| 54% |
Female |
|
| 30% |
Male |
|
| 8% |
Gender Fluid |
|
| 8% |
Non-Binary |
|
Session Type
| 57% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 43% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 66% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 47% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 36% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 32% | Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) |
| 32% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 30% | Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) |
| 30% | Psychoeducational Therapy |
Ages Served
| 89% | Adult |
| 74% | Young Adult |
| 62% | Teen |
| 47% | Senior |
| 38% | Children |
Client Focus
| 64% | Women |
| 60% | LGBTQ+ |
| 49% | Men |
| 45% | Persons with Disabilities |
| 38% | Military / Veterans |