Autism therapists in Knoxville, Tennessee TN
Find experienced Autism therapists in Knoxville 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
Maryville Counseling
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC/MHSp
We offer counseling services to neurodivergent individuals, couples, and families. At this time, we are unable to provide assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
2 Years Experience
In-Person Near Knoxville, TN
Online in Knoxville, TN Tennessee
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 Knoxville, TN Tennessee (Online Only)
Autism and Asperger's
Rabia Subhani
Psychologist, Psy.D.
I have been in the field of autism since the mid-1990s, way before I had my own autistic son! Currently, I offer adult assessments with a special focus on women, gender diverse, and trans individuals.
17 Years Experience
Online in Knoxville, TN Tennessee (Online Only)
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 Knoxville, TN Tennessee
Autism and Asperger's
Susan Hyatt-Birnholz
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
I have worked as an advocate in the Autistic community for over 10 years in CA. I have experience attending IEP meetings, and finding the best resources and newest interventions for my clients. I have worked closely with the Regional Center and the Help Group in Los Angeles and have raised a stepson with Autism.
7 Years Experience
Online in Knoxville, TN Tennessee
Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee — the state's flagship research university — and serves as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains and Appalachian outdoor recreation culture, giving it a distinctive blend of college-town energy and Appalachian heritage that shapes its therapy community. The city's growing healthcare sector, anchored by UT Medical Center and Covenant Health, provides institutional mental health resources and supplies clinical training to the local community. Knoxville's working-class Appalachian communities carry distinct cultural attitudes toward help-seeking — including strong value on self-reliance and community support — that therapists must navigate with cultural sensitivity. The University of Tennessee's psychology programs, combined with the city's proximity to Appalachian communities experiencing opioid-related crisis, mean addiction recovery and co-occurring trauma are among the most active areas in Knoxville's local therapy landscape.
Autism therapists in Knoxville, Tennessee Statistics
Autism therapists in Knoxville, Tennessee average 16 years of experience and charge around $207 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (72%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (48%), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (37%).
Average years in practice
16 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$207
Accept insurance
26%
Offer sliding scale
30%
Gender ID
| 58% |
Female |
|
| 30% |
Male |
|
| 7% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 5% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 70% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 30% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 72% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 48% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 37% | Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) |
| 37% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 33% | Family Systems Therapy |
| 33% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 33% | Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) |
Ages Served
| 89% | Adult |
| 74% | Young Adult |
| 67% | Teen |
| 48% | Senior |
| 43% | Children |
Client Focus
| 67% | Women |
| 52% | LGBTQ+ |
| 48% | Men |
| 43% | Persons with Disabilities |
| 33% | Military / Veterans |