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About Group Therapy
We offer a unique opportunity for autistic and neurodivergent individuals to connect with others who truly understand their experiences. Our therapy groups provide a safe and supportive environment where participants can explore their neurodivergent identity and find a sense of belonging among peers who share similar perspectives.
Find Connection and Growth
in a Neurodivergent-Friendly Community
At Neurodiversity Wellness Center, we offer online group therapy in California and Oregon for neurodivergent adults and teens with autistic traits. Whether you or your child identifies as autistic or you’re still exploring and discovering your own neurodivergent identity, our group therapy sessions provide a safe space for sharing, learning, and growing together.
Neurodivergent individuals often feel misunderstood or isolated in a neurotypical world. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, burnout, or other mental health challenges. Group therapy offers a unique opportunity to connect with others who share similar experiences, challenges, and strengths. Our therapy groups are designed specifically for neurodivergent people with autistic traits to foster understanding and support.
Relating to group members depends on having a similar stage of life, concerns, and interests. We form groups based on these factors.
Our Therapy Groups
Get Started Today!
- Neurodivergent Working Professionals Group
- Neurodivergent Women & Nonbinary Group
- Neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ Group
- Neurodivergent Young Adults Group
- Neurodivergent College Group
- Twice Exceptional (2e) Youth Group
The Benefits of Group Therapy
for Autistic Adults and Teens
Group therapy is an incredibly effective way for neurodivergent individuals with autistic traits to feel more connected. But also learn how to navigate a world that often seems unaccommodating. Our sessions help you understand your neurodivergent identity better and develop self-care strategies that honor your unique wiring and needs.
Our mental health therapists are experts in neurodiversity with extensive training and experience in facilitating groups for neurodivergent individuals. Many of our therapists also have lived experience as neurodivergent or queer individuals.
Benefits of joining group therapy include:
- Experiencing meaningful connections that can positively impact your life.
- Feeling understood and supported by your encouraging group.
- Gaining relief by recognizing shared challenges.
- Learning from the diverse insights of the group.
- Developing skills to reduce stress and manage overwhelm.
- Enhancing your relationships skills
What You Will Do In Group Therapy
Our groups are a place for discussion, community, and self-reflection and are run more as a process group. We also incorporate components of psychoeducation and an IFS framework, tailored to support the wellbeing of individuals with neurodivergent needs.
Group Discussions
Together with your group members, and facilitated by a licensed therapist, you’ll dive into a variety of autism-related topics. This can include preventing and recovering from neurodivergent burnout, unmasking, neuro-friendly self-care practices, relationship challenges and miscommunication, anxiety, executive functioning differences, workplace dynamics, and later life autism diagnosis. Your group facilitator will also offer education on these topics. By listening to your group members’ experiences, you’ll gain valuable insights into yourself. You’ll discover what works best for you and what supports you most effectively to grow and thrive.
The flexible nature of our groups allows for organic conversations and mutual support, creating a dynamic environment where group members can learn from each other, share experiences, and foster a sense of belonging.
Self-Reflection and Psychoeducation
You’ll engage in self-reflection exercises based on the IFS model (Internal Family Systems) to better understand yourself without judgment. At times in life, you might feel stressed, uncertain, or overwhelmed. Social situations can lead to overthinking, anxiety, and self-criticism. Through IFS exercises, you’ll gain insight into these different internal experiences and what you need to feel more balanced and less reactive.
In group, you will also learn self-advocacy and relationship skills through the IFS framework. You’ll learn more about what healthy relationships look like and feel like to you. You’ll have more understanding of how to set boundaries with others. You’ll gain more clarity and confidence in how to speak up for your needs. And you’ll get to do all this while being supported by your group members, who will be walking this path with you.
In our groups, you’ll learn to:
- Alleviate Stress and Overwhelm
- Address Your Sensory Needs to Reduce Overload
- Gain Inner Balance and Calm
- Gain Clarity on Your Emotions and Needs
- Embrace Your Authentic Self
- Be Present and Less Anxious in Social Settings
- Adapt to Life’s Changes with Greater Ease
- Advocate for Yourself with More Confidence
- Improve Your Relationships
This approach celebrates neurodiversity and affirms your unique experiences.
Therapy Group FAQs
What Are the Characteristics of Group Members?
Group members are generally individuals who self-identify as autistic, are diagnosed with autism level 1, are exploring their possible autistic traits, or are high-masking autistics. It’s common for group members to also be gifted. To thrive in this setting, it’s important that members have the ability to reflect on their experiences and engage actively in group discussions. While group therapy can be incredibly rewarding, it’s essential that participants feel comfortable enough contributing and reflecting within the group context. If you have concerns or anxiety about joining a group, individual counseling might be a helpful first step to build your confidence and prepare for effective group participation.
Group Members Tend to Identify with the Following “Autistic Traits”:
- Often worry about saying/doing the “wrong thing”
- Feel like you’re “performing” in social situations (masking)
- Need isolation to cope with overwhelm
- Often feel misunderstood
- Sensory overload from noises, textures, smells, or crowds
- Find comfort in routines, changes cause anxiety or anger
- Overthink social situations
- Difficulties with conversations (when to speak, what to say)
- Shutdown and can’t speak when overwhelmed
- Script or practice conversations
- Difficulty in maintaining relationships
- Find it confusing to read other’s intentions
- Feel burnout (extreme exhaustion, can’t keep up with daily tasks)
- Enjoy monologuing about your passions
Who is a Good Fit for Group Therapy?
A good fit for group therapy is someone who is interested in connecting with like-minded peers and sharing their experiences and insights, and who can participate in discussions with a degree of self-awareness and reflection. While some level of anxiety about joining a group is normal, individuals who can manage their anxiety and engage with the group’s process—without needing extensive individual support—will find the most benefit. If you are able to contribute to group discussions and reflect on your experiences, group therapy might be a great fit for you. For those who are uncertain or need more personal attention before joining a group, individual therapy can be a supportive starting point to build confidence and readiness.
How Are Clients Grouped Together?
At Neurodiversity Wellness Center, we thoughtfully group clients based on a variety of factors to create a supportive and effective group dynamic. While shared interests and goals are important, our primary focus is on matching clients based on relevant demographics such as age, life stage, and specific therapeutic objectives. This approach ensures that participants can connect meaningfully with others who have similar experiences and challenges. By considering these aspects, we aim to foster a group environment where everyone can engage in reflection, growth, and mutual support tailored to their unique needs and goals.
Is This a Social Skills Group?
Our groups are not designed as social skills training sessions aimed at “fixing” behaviors. Instead, they offer a space for reflection, awareness, and meaningful connection with other autistic individuals. While we may discuss and develop strategies for navigating various situations, including social interactions, the primary focus is on fostering self-awareness and empowerment. The goal is to share experiences, learn from one another, and build a supportive community, embracing and understanding your unique neurodivergent identity rather than conforming to conventional social norms.
Do You Include Interests or Hobbies in Group Therapy Discussion?
In our group therapy sessions, we start by incorporating interests and hobbies as a way to help group members connect and bond. Sharing these personal passions can be a wonderful way to find common ground and foster a supportive group dynamic. While we use interests to facilitate initial connections and may incorporate them into activities, they are not the central focus of our discussions. The primary aim of our groups is to address the therapeutic goals and support each member’s personal growth. By initially focusing on interests, we create a comfortable and engaging environment, but we then shift our attention to the core issues and objectives that will help you thrive.
What if I Feel Nervous About Joining a Group Therapy Session?
It’s completely normal to feel nervous about joining group therapy! In our first few sessions we spend time creating group safety by validating group member’s experiences and affirming their neurodivergence. Hearing other group members share and finding points of connection will likely help you ease into group. We do not pressure or force you to share at any point. If you’re unsure about joining a group, individual counseling can be a great first step to build your confidence and prepare you for group participation. This allows you to work on self-reflection and communication skills, which are key for making the most out of your group experience.
Groups are 20 sessions total, meeting once a week.
Depending on the specific group, sessions last 1 hour or 1 hour and 20 mins.
Fee / Rate
$160 per group session
Limited sliding scale slots are available (only for group therapy services)
Learn more about fees and payment.
Day / Time
Groups run twice a year. The fall season groups run from September to January. The spring season groups run from January/February to June.
The day and time of group varies per season. Please contact us for more information.
Location
All sessions are online only. We use HIPAA-compliant Zoom sessions. (Clients must reside in California to receive services.)
Our Therapy Groups
Get Started Today!
- Neurodivergent Working Professionals Group
- Neurodivergent Women & Nonbinary Group
- Neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ Group
- Neurodivergent Young Adults Group
- Neurodivergent College Group
- Twice Exceptional (2e) Youth Group
Additional Autism-Specialty Therapy Services and Resources at Neurodiversity Wellness Center
All of our services are provided online. Our California counseling clinic helps teens and adults with autistic traits and their families. This includes individuals who self-identify as autistic, are diagnosed late in life, or have other neurodivergent identities like ADHD. We specialize in helping neurodivergent individuals understand their unique wiring and develop skills to thrive in a neurotypical world. Specifically, our services include individual therapy for neurodivergent individuals and non-autistic partners, parent counseling, and online group therapy in the state of California.