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Counseling For Autism Spectrum Disorder

Counseling For Autism Spectrum Disorder In Austin, TX

Therapist with clipboard listens to client in yellow sweater during a counseling session in a cozy office.

At our practice, we offer compassionate, neurodivergent-affirming counseling for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Austin, TX, designed to support individuals and families navigating the unique challenges and strengths of autism. Whether you're an adult discovering your identity or a parent seeking help for your child, we provide a personalized approach rooted in empathy, education, and evidence-based strategies.

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that can affect communication, social interaction, and behavior. The term "spectrum" refers to the wide range of experiences, strengths, and challenges individuals with autism may have. No two individuals with autism are exactly alike, and counseling reflects that individuality.

You may have heard or received a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome in the past. While this term was previously used to describe individuals with average or above-average intelligence and no significant speech delay, it is now considered outdated in clinical settings. Today, Asperger’s is typically understood as part of the broader autism spectrum and is no longer used as a separate diagnosis in the DSM-5.

That said, some adults still identify with the term “Asperger’s” because it reflects their original diagnosis or personal history. If you identify as autistic, as someone with Asperger’s, or prefer another label, our approach remains the same: respectful, individualized, and focused on helping you thrive.

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Phase 1: History Taking

Before beginning EMDR, your trauma therapist will get to know more about your experiences and symptoms. This step is for you to share about events in your past that may be affecting your current mindset.

Phase 2: Preparation

This stage is about ensuring your readiness for EMDR. Even though EMDR therapy for trauma is completely safe, it can be problematic for individuals who commonly experience dissociation. As a safeguard, your trauma therapist will work with you to create your own “calm place” to concentrate on if you feel distressed.

Phase 3: Assessment

It’s now time to choose a target to be reprocessed during your next few sessions. In doing so, you’ll need to identify a vivid image related to the memory, a negative cognition about yourself associated with it, and emotions and bodily sensations that accompany both. Your therapist will then have you challenge that negative cognition with a cognitive one. They will have you rate how true your positive cognition feels and how much distress the target memory causes you on a scale from 1-10.

Phase 4: Desensitization

This is where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing comes into play. When you feel ready, your therapist will guide you to process your negative feelings and memories using bilateral eye movements to facilitate the brain’s healing process. This will help to ground you and take more directed focus on the thoughts, feelings, and images associated with your target. Every minute or so, your therapist will check in on what you’ve noticed and ask you to rate how much discomfort you’re now feeling. When you no longer report distress related to your targeted memory, you move onto the next step.

Phase 5: Installation

Next, your attention will be brought back to the positive cognition you identified earlier. Your trauma/PTSD therapist will recheck how true this belief now feels. The goal is to get this belief to feel like it’s 100 percent true.

Phase 6: Body Scan

You will now be asked to check your body for any areas of tension in your body caused by the target memory. Are your teeth clenched? Is your chest tight? Any uncomfortable physical sensations will be reprocessed using the same procedure as before until you can think of the target memory without feeling any tension.

Phase 7: Closure

At the end of every session, your trauma counselor will make sure that you are leaving feeling more relaxed than when you arrived. If you are feeling agitated, they will lead you through self-calming techniques until you regain your sense of control.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

At the beginning of each subsequent session, your therapist will ask you questions to ensure your positive beliefs have been maintained. This will also help them to identify any new problem areas that may need to be targeted.

EMDR therapy for trauma is considered a success once you are able to bring up memories of trauma without feeling the distress that brought you to therapy. Your trauma therapist will also provide you with the techniques and skills you need going forward to deal with upsetting feelings.

How Is Autism Diagnosed?

A formal diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is typically made through a combination of clinical evaluation, behavioral observation, and developmental history. The process may include:

  • Developmental Screening – A preliminary assessment to identify indicators of autism.
  • Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation – In-depth review of communication, behavior, and social interaction by a qualified professional.
  • Behavioral Observation – Direct evaluation of how the individual engages in social situations and responds to environmental stimuli.
  • DSM-5 Criteria – The diagnosis must align with current clinical guidelines defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

While many are diagnosed in childhood, it’s increasingly common for adults to receive a diagnosis later in life, particularly those who previously flew under the radar or were misdiagnosed. If you're exploring this process, therapy can provide support, guidance, and validation along the way.

Man sitting on a sofa, appearing stressed, with hands clasped, in a counseling session.

Phase 1: History Taking

Before beginning EMDR, your trauma therapist will get to know more about your experiences and symptoms. This step is for you to share about events in your past that may be affecting your current mindset.

Phase 2: Preparation

This stage is about ensuring your readiness for EMDR. Even though EMDR therapy for trauma is completely safe, it can be problematic for individuals who commonly experience dissociation. As a safeguard, your trauma therapist will work with you to create your own “calm place” to concentrate on if you feel distressed.

Phase 3: Assessment

It’s now time to choose a target to be reprocessed during your next few sessions. In doing so, you’ll need to identify a vivid image related to the memory, a negative cognition about yourself associated with it, and emotions and bodily sensations that accompany both. Your therapist will then have you challenge that negative cognition with a cognitive one. They will have you rate how true your positive cognition feels and how much distress the target memory causes you on a scale from 1-10.

Phase 4: Desensitization

This is where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing comes into play. When you feel ready, your therapist will guide you to process your negative feelings and memories using bilateral eye movements to facilitate the brain’s healing process. This will help to ground you and take more directed focus on the thoughts, feelings, and images associated with your target. Every minute or so, your therapist will check in on what you’ve noticed and ask you to rate how much discomfort you’re now feeling. When you no longer report distress related to your targeted memory, you move onto the next step.

Phase 5: Installation

Next, your attention will be brought back to the positive cognition you identified earlier. Your trauma/PTSD therapist will recheck how true this belief now feels. The goal is to get this belief to feel like it’s 100 percent true.

Phase 6: Body Scan

You will now be asked to check your body for any areas of tension in your body caused by the target memory. Are your teeth clenched? Is your chest tight? Any uncomfortable physical sensations will be reprocessed using the same procedure as before until you can think of the target memory without feeling any tension.

Phase 7: Closure

At the end of every session, your trauma counselor will make sure that you are leaving feeling more relaxed than when you arrived. If you are feeling agitated, they will lead you through self-calming techniques until you regain your sense of control.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

At the beginning of each subsequent session, your therapist will ask you questions to ensure your positive beliefs have been maintained. This will also help them to identify any new problem areas that may need to be targeted.

EMDR therapy for trauma is considered a success once you are able to bring up memories of trauma without feeling the distress that brought you to therapy. Your trauma therapist will also provide you with the techniques and skills you need going forward to deal with upsetting feelings.

Man sitting on a sofa, appearing stressed, with hands clasped, in a counseling session.

Common Signs & Symptoms Associated With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Many individuals on the spectrum may experience some or all of the following common symptoms or behavioral patterns:

  • Difficulty reading social cues or engaging in eye contact
  • Selective mutism or underuse of verbal communication
  • Repetitive movements or repetitive behaviors used for self-regulation (stimming)
  • Sensory inputs that feel overwhelming or an under-sensitivity to sensation
  • Difficulty managing emotions, anxiety, or depression
  • Struggles with executive functioning, such as planning or transitions
  • Challenges with daily living skills like hygiene, time management, or organization

These experiences may be profound or subtle, often being misidentified as simple "eccentricity" or "weirdness." For those experiencing these symptoms, a diagnosis often comes as a relief that they are not “wrong” or "alien."

However, you may simultaneously experience low self-esteem, social anxiety, or emotional overwhelm, especially in unfamiliar social situations. Early recognition and effective treatment can make a significant difference in helping individuals feel supported and understood.

Phase 1: History Taking

Before beginning EMDR, your trauma therapist will get to know more about your experiences and symptoms. This step is for you to share about events in your past that may be affecting your current mindset.

Phase 2: Preparation

This stage is about ensuring your readiness for EMDR. Even though EMDR therapy for trauma is completely safe, it can be problematic for individuals who commonly experience dissociation. As a safeguard, your trauma therapist will work with you to create your own “calm place” to concentrate on if you feel distressed.

Phase 3: Assessment

It’s now time to choose a target to be reprocessed during your next few sessions. In doing so, you’ll need to identify a vivid image related to the memory, a negative cognition about yourself associated with it, and emotions and bodily sensations that accompany both. Your therapist will then have you challenge that negative cognition with a cognitive one. They will have you rate how true your positive cognition feels and how much distress the target memory causes you on a scale from 1-10.

Phase 4: Desensitization

This is where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing comes into play. When you feel ready, your therapist will guide you to process your negative feelings and memories using bilateral eye movements to facilitate the brain’s healing process. This will help to ground you and take more directed focus on the thoughts, feelings, and images associated with your target. Every minute or so, your therapist will check in on what you’ve noticed and ask you to rate how much discomfort you’re now feeling. When you no longer report distress related to your targeted memory, you move onto the next step.

Phase 5: Installation

Next, your attention will be brought back to the positive cognition you identified earlier. Your trauma/PTSD therapist will recheck how true this belief now feels. The goal is to get this belief to feel like it’s 100 percent true.

Phase 6: Body Scan

You will now be asked to check your body for any areas of tension in your body caused by the target memory. Are your teeth clenched? Is your chest tight? Any uncomfortable physical sensations will be reprocessed using the same procedure as before until you can think of the target memory without feeling any tension.

Phase 7: Closure

At the end of every session, your trauma counselor will make sure that you are leaving feeling more relaxed than when you arrived. If you are feeling agitated, they will lead you through self-calming techniques until you regain your sense of control.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

At the beginning of each subsequent session, your therapist will ask you questions to ensure your positive beliefs have been maintained. This will also help them to identify any new problem areas that may need to be targeted.

EMDR therapy for trauma is considered a success once you are able to bring up memories of trauma without feeling the distress that brought you to therapy. Your trauma therapist will also provide you with the techniques and skills you need going forward to deal with upsetting feelings.

How Autism Therapy Can Help

Working with a licensed autism therapist who understands ASD is key to building skills and improving quality of life. Our therapy sessions are tailored to the individual's age, strengths, and needs by offering support for both internal emotional processes and external, day-to-day challenges.

Our work may focus on:

  • Strengthening social skills and navigating complex relationships
  • Building coping strategies for anxiety, overwhelm, and rigid thinking patterns
  • Improving emotional regulation to better manage strong, overwhelming emotions
  • Practicing new behaviors through positive reinforcement
  • Supporting personal growth and developing self-esteem
  • Increasing flexibility in daily life routines
  • Addressing executive functioning challenges like time management, task initiation, organization, and follow-through

Many adults on the autism spectrum face challenges in work environments, relationships, or managing the demands of daily life. We help identify and build on your unique strengths while developing practical strategies that support your goals and personal growth.

Man sitting on a sofa, appearing stressed, with hands clasped, in a counseling session.

Therapeutic Approaches for Autism Spectrum Disorder

At our practice, we recognize that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents differently for every individual. That’s why we use a range of therapy approaches tailored to each person’s challenges, strengths, and goals. Rather than focusing on conformity, we prioritize skill-building, self-awareness, and emotional support—always within a neurodivergent-affirming framework. Some of the most effective treatment options for autistic individuals include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is often used to support emotional regulation, manage anxiety and depression, and challenge unhelpful thought patterns. We adapt CBT techniques to better fit the experiences of neurodivergent people, focusing on self-understanding rather than forced behavior change.

Speech and Language Therapy

When communication challenges are present, speech therapy can help individuals improve their ability to express thoughts and emotions, understand social cues, and participate more comfortably in conversations.

Occupational Therapy

OT can help individuals strengthen daily living skills, manage sensory sensitivities, and improve functional independence in daily life activities such as grooming, eating, or organizing tasks.

Social Skills Therapy

This type of therapy focuses on improving social interactions, understanding nonverbal communication, making and keeping friends, and developing confidence in social situations.

Developmental and Relationship-Based Therapies (DIR/Floortime)

For individuals who benefit from play-based and relationship-driven approaches, this method focuses on connecting through emotional engagement and building communication through shared experiences.

Phase 1: History Taking

Before beginning EMDR, your trauma therapist will get to know more about your experiences and symptoms. This step is for you to share about events in your past that may be affecting your current mindset.

Phase 2: Preparation

This stage is about ensuring your readiness for EMDR. Even though EMDR therapy for trauma is completely safe, it can be problematic for individuals who commonly experience dissociation. As a safeguard, your trauma therapist will work with you to create your own “calm place” to concentrate on if you feel distressed.

Phase 3: Assessment

It’s now time to choose a target to be reprocessed during your next few sessions. In doing so, you’ll need to identify a vivid image related to the memory, a negative cognition about yourself associated with it, and emotions and bodily sensations that accompany both. Your therapist will then have you challenge that negative cognition with a cognitive one. They will have you rate how true your positive cognition feels and how much distress the target memory causes you on a scale from 1-10.

Phase 4: Desensitization

This is where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing comes into play. When you feel ready, your therapist will guide you to process your negative feelings and memories using bilateral eye movements to facilitate the brain’s healing process. This will help to ground you and take more directed focus on the thoughts, feelings, and images associated with your target. Every minute or so, your therapist will check in on what you’ve noticed and ask you to rate how much discomfort you’re now feeling. When you no longer report distress related to your targeted memory, you move onto the next step.

Phase 5: Installation

Next, your attention will be brought back to the positive cognition you identified earlier. Your trauma/PTSD therapist will recheck how true this belief now feels. The goal is to get this belief to feel like it’s 100 percent true.

Phase 6: Body Scan

You will now be asked to check your body for any areas of tension in your body caused by the target memory. Are your teeth clenched? Is your chest tight? Any uncomfortable physical sensations will be reprocessed using the same procedure as before until you can think of the target memory without feeling any tension.

Phase 7: Closure

At the end of every session, your trauma counselor will make sure that you are leaving feeling more relaxed than when you arrived. If you are feeling agitated, they will lead you through self-calming techniques until you regain your sense of control.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

At the beginning of each subsequent session, your therapist will ask you questions to ensure your positive beliefs have been maintained. This will also help them to identify any new problem areas that may need to be targeted.

EMDR therapy for trauma is considered a success once you are able to bring up memories of trauma without feeling the distress that brought you to therapy. Your trauma therapist will also provide you with the techniques and skills you need going forward to deal with upsetting feelings.

Man sitting on a sofa, appearing stressed, with hands clasped, in a counseling session.

Our Approach to Autism Counseling

We offer autism therapy rooted in a personalized approach that respects your lived experiences. Our work centers on building trust and understanding through collaborative, neurodivergent-affirming therapy sessions tailored to your goals.

Some individuals seek support for emotional regulation, managing anxiety or depression, or navigating the stress of everyday social situations. Others are looking to improve social skills, build stronger relationships, or develop coping strategies for handling sensory sensitivities, repetitive behaviors, or communication challenges in daily life.

Together, we explore what matters most to you by identifying internal goals like self-acceptance or self-esteem, and external goals like improving social interactions or executive functioning. We don’t aim to "fix" your thinking but rather to help you better understand how your mind works, learn what supports you, and make space for both growth and authenticity.

With every session, our therapist supports your journey toward personal growth, helping you live more comfortably and confidently in a world that may not always be designed with neurodivergent people in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can therapy help individuals with autism?

Yes, therapy can be highly beneficial for people on the autism spectrum. Working with an experienced therapist can help individuals improve social skills, develop coping strategies, and better manage emotions, sensory sensitivities, and communication challenges. Therapy may also address areas such as self-esteem, executive functioning, and navigating social interactions in daily life. At Louis Laves-Webb, LCSW, LPC-S, we provide tailored autism therapy in Austin, TX, for adults and teens, with a focus on honoring each person's needs.

Can autism be cured?

There is no “cure” for autism, and it’s not something that needs to be fixed. Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that shapes how a person experiences the world. Instead of aiming for a cure, therapy focuses on support, skill-building, and increasing self-understanding. With the right resources and compassionate care, many individuals with autism lead full, meaningful, and independent lives.

Is online counseling available for autism?

Yes, we offer online counseling for individuals on the autism spectrum, including teens and adults who may prefer the comfort of their home environment. Many clients find virtual sessions helpful in reducing sensory overload and anxiety related to in-person appointments. Our services are designed to be flexible and accessible while maintaining the same high standard of care. Online counseling allows us to support clients across Austin, TX, and surrounding areas with personalized, neurodivergent-affirming therapy.

Do you accept insurance for autism counseling services?

We work with most insurance plans and are happy to help you verify your benefits. Our team can assist in checking coverage with your insurance provider before your first appointment. It's important to note that insurance coverage can vary depending on your specific plan and the type of services you're seeking. Whether you are newly diagnosed, exploring a formal diagnosis, or already self-identify as autistic, we’re here to support your mental health journey with transparency and care.

Autism Spectrum Support with LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Care

Every neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ individual deserves to be seen and supported. Our LGBTQIA+ counseling services offer understanding, respect, and affirmation for those navigating both identities.

Discover Our LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Therapy
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Specialties

AddictionAnger/ AggressionAnxietyChildren/ AdolescentsChronic IllnessCouple's TherapyDepressionEating DisordersFamily TherapyGroup TherapyHealthIFS TherapyEMDR Trauma TherapyIndividual TherapyLGBTQIA+Life TransitionsMen's IssuesMindfulnessOnline TherapyParentingPTSDRelationship/ IntimacySelf-EsteemSpiritualityStudent ConcernsTrauma
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