Sometimes called neuro-affirming, a neurodiversity-affirming approach to counseling recognizes and respects neurological differences (like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others) as natural variations of the human experience rather than deficits or disorders to be "fixed." This perspective values each person’s unique way of thinking, feeling, and interacting with the world. In practice, neurodiversity-affirming counseling focuses on collaboration, validation, and empowerment. Our therapists avoid pathologizing traits that may differ from neurotypical norms and instead support clients in identifying their strengths, navigating challenges, advocating for their needs, to enhance living in alignment with client-identified values.

ACT is a third-wave approach to behavior change and seeks to help you develop a new relationship with your thoughts and emotions to ultimately provide a path out of suffering and into life! Through ACT, clients are encouraged to explore their values, connect with the present moment, and accept difficult thoughts and emotions without judgment. The therapist helps clients increase psychological flexibility, allowing them to make value-driven decisions and engage in behaviors that lead to greater well-being. ACT techniques are used to help clients identify and defuse unhelpful cognitive patterns, fostering a healthier relationship with their internal experiences.

Behavior analytic principles are used to analyze and understand how environmental factors influence our behavior. This allows clients to target specific, measurable behaviors for meaningful change. This method is particularly effective in addressing issues like self-regulation, social skills, communication challenges, and anxiety.

In short, Behavior Analysis is the study of human behavior - how it is shaped by the environment. As a therapeutic approach, behavior analysis seeks to empower individuals to make changes in their own environment that improve their quality of life. Neuro-affirming behavior analysis is about partnering with neurodivergent individuals in ways that affirm the client's humanity, agency, and right to live a life that aligns with who they are and what they value most. A neuroaffirming perspective recognizes that every individual is the expert on their own experience and deserves to be supported in living a life that aligns with their identity, preferences, and values.

Location: Our outpatient services (individual/group counseling and parent coaching) are done remotely using our HIPAA-compliant platform. Here are step-by-step instructions and a graphic on how to use or log in to Zoom. Our Adult Day Services program is in-person and located in Oak Park, Illinois

Individual/Group Counseling and Parent Coaching Insurance we’re in-network with: (If you plan to use insurance, please confirm with your provider your mental healthcare coverage ahead of time) BCBS PPO Aetna Medicaid Illinois Medicaid Waiver- information here Out-of-pocket options available Adult Day Services Tuition in line with home-based services funding Helpful links Visit the links on our Approach page.

To learn more and schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation, please reach out to our Intake Team by filling out the Contact form HERE. We will get back to you via email usually within 72 hours.

In your first session, your Behavioral Learning therapist will focus on building a comfortable and trusting relationship with you. You’ll explore the areas of your life that matter most to you - we refer to these as your values. By learning about what you hold closest to your heart, your therapist will help you reflect on and plan for actions that allow you to access more of what you love most.

We typically meet with clients once weekly (although can be up to 3x per week, based on needs) for 60-min sessions via our HIPAA compliant telehealth platform online.

Our outpatient counseling and parent coaching differ in their focus. Outpatient counseling is typically a therapeutic process aimed at helping individuals with emotional, psychological, or behavioral challenges. It provides a space for personal healing and self-exploration. Our parent coaching model is focused on supporting parents with tools and strategies for supporting the unique needs of neurodiverse children. It centers around educating parents about neurodivergence and offering empathic behavior management techniques to help improve family dynamics and support their child’s development.