Autism therapists in Cookeville, Tennessee TN
Find experienced Autism therapists in Cookeville 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
Jessica Anderson, PsyD
Psychologist, PsyD
Navigating social situations, communication, and sensory experiences can sometimes feel overwhelming or confusing. Many teens and young adults also feel pressure to “fit in” while trying to stay true to themselves. I provide a supportive space to better understand your experiences, build social and coping skills, and strengthen self-acceptance. Together, we focus on helping you feel more confident, comfortable, and authentic in your daily life.
21 Years Experience
Online in Cookeville, TN Tennessee (Online Only)
Autism
Dr. Amanda Malak
Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist
I offer psychological assessment to clarify diagnoses for autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and I specialize in providing support to adolescents and adults. Part of this work is done through a contract at Axis for Autism who accepts Medicaid in Arizona. I can complete completely virtual assessments to people around the country, however. Therapeutically, my approach involves helping people unmask as much as possible when it is safe to reduce long-term negative health impacts of masking. Otherwise, life skills training can support people in learning the unspoken rule of social communication in the neurotypical world to develop and maintain relationships personally and professionally when masking is less safe. I work closely with individuals, families, and other professionals to create strategies that foster independence, social skills, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Through evidence-based therapies and a compassionate, individualized approach, I help people with autism navigate their unique experiences and reach their full potential.
12 Years Experience
Online in Cookeville, TN Tennessee
Autism
Heather Watson-Perez
Psychologist, PhD
I work with individuals on the autism spectrum to support social understanding, emotional regulation, and daily functioning. My approach is strengths-based, focusing on building skills while respecting each person’s unique way of thinking and experiencing the world. I also support parents and families in creating environments that foster growth and independence.
21 Years Experience
Online in Cookeville, TN Tennessee
Autism
Becky Short Davis
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC/MHSP, NCC
As a certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist (ASDCS), I work with individuals who have been diagnosed with, or suspect they may have, ASD. I am deeply committed to supporting clients with ASD in embracing their unique strengths and limitations within a compassionate and curious environment.
3 Years Experience
Online in Cookeville, TN Tennessee
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 Cookeville, TN Tennessee (Online Only)
Autism therapists in Cookeville, Tennessee Statistics
Autism therapists in Cookeville, Tennessee 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) (41%), and Family Systems Therapy (34%).
Average years in practice
16 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$210
Accept insurance
25%
Offer sliding scale
27%
Gender ID
| 60% |
Female |
|
| 28% |
Male |
|
| 6% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 6% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 68% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 32% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 66% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 41% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 34% | Family Systems Therapy |
| 34% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 32% | Psychoeducational Therapy |
| 30% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 30% | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) |
Ages Served
| 98% | Adult |
| 80% | Young Adult |
| 59% | Teen |
| 45% | Senior |
| 36% | Children |
Client Focus
| 66% | Women |
| 50% | LGBTQ+ |
| 48% | Men |
| 43% | Persons with Disabilities |
| 36% | Christian |