ADHD Autism Therapist | Alaska | Stellar Insight Counseling
Adults with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and/or Autism face unique challenges:
- Difficulty with attention, completing tasks, and memory
- Missing social cues
- Trouble maintaining daily hygiene
- Interest-based motivation
- Sensory sensitivity (becoming easily overstimulated, or feeling under-stimulated)
- Inconsistent sleep patterns/routines
- Emotion dysregulation
- Difficulty with change or transitions
- Communication misunderstandings
These challenges can create difficulty in relationships, home life, work, and social settings.
Autism and ADHD are a subset of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in the DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for diagnosing and treating mental health disorders).
People with ADHD and Autistic adults often use the term “neurodivergence” to describe the experience of living with a developmental disability.
Strengths among people with ADHD and/or Autism:
- Zest for special interests
- Taking up new hobbies and skills
- Increased empathy and understanding
- Strong sense of justice
Therapy Services for Adults with ADHD/Autism in Alaska
Therapy cannot “cure” ADHD or Autism but it can be a supportive resource.
Counseling for ADHD and Autistic adults focuses on identifying strengths, growth areas, and validation.
It is common for ADHD and Autism to have comorbid diagnoses including anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); which are treatable conditions.
Therapy can help adults with ADHD/Autism develop:
- Healthy coping skills
- New insights
- Problem-solving skills
- Communication skills
- Self-awareness,
- Improved self-esteem
Living with ADHD/Autism in Adulthood
Many facets of life (school, work, social norms, relationships, responsibilities) are geared towards people who do not have ADHD, Autism, or other developmental disabilities. This causes added difficulty on people whose brains work a little differently.
Spoon Theory & Chronic Illness: Disability & Mental Health
"Autistic burnout," described by the Autistic community as a unique type of burnout which is exacerbated by systems designed by non-Autistics, is a common reason Autistic adults seek mental health counseling.
ADHD and Autism are common and likely underdiagnosed, especially in women.
Some people do not (or cannot) receive an ADHD/Autism diagnosis until adulthood.
Diagnosis can provide opportunities for treatment including psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both.
Why Seek Counseling Services for ADHD / Autism (Alaska)
As a human with ADHD, I know that it adds layers of difficulty!
Counseling can help identify areas of growth, further develop your unique strengths, and find new solutions to help make your day-to-day easier.
Online Counseling Services in Alaska | Stellar Insight Counseling
I offer free 20-minute initial consultations with prospective clients to see if we are a good fit, and I encourage people to speak with 1-2 other therapists before scheduling an intake appointment with me.
The best predictor of successful therapy is the relationship between client and therapist.
Accessing therapy is a sign of strength.
What to Expect: ADHD/Autism Counseling | Stellar Insight Counseling
My approach for individual adult counseling utilizes compassionate directness, humor, providing information about ADHD and Autism (and other developmental disabilities), and being a human with you during our sessions.
I like to start my individual therapy sessions with a check-in: I want to hear about your week and the highlights, lows, and things to improve on. Share about what came up for you during the week, or new goals that you wish to work on.
Some questions which I may ask to help guide our sessions, “What symptoms did you notice this week?” “How did you cope with those symptoms?” “Do you want to focus on anything specific today?” “What improvement(s) did you see this week?”
We may practice new coping skills, laugh at your cat’s latest antics, or reflect on your relationships.
I believe my role as a therapist is best described as a helper rather than fixer.
7 Tips for Adults with ADHD/Autism
I will keep us on track with your treatment plan and therapeutic goals throughout our sessions.
We will practice new regulation skills to augment your emotional, social, and psychological health while reflecting on which skills work and which don’t work for you.
I use a trauma-informed strengths-based approach and draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Somatic Therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction in supporting adults with ADHD and/or Autism.
I know that mental health is only one facet of overall health and I am passionate about supporting a person’s holistic health through counseling.
Our work will explore multiple domains of health including relationships, social health, psychological health, emotional health, self-esteem, connection to faith or beliefs, and physical health.
As a telehealth therapist we can have our sessions from where you need: a comfy couch, your backyard, your (parked) car in between work, or the dining room table.
Pets are always welcome (my HIPAA compliant pets may be around our sessions!)
Schedule Your Free 20-Minute Initial Consultation
ADHD and Autism symptoms can become more manageable through individual therapy.
About Nicole Zegiestowsky, M.S. (she/her)
Welcome, and hello!
My name is Nicole and I am a pre-licensed LPC therapist in Alaska.
I earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Alaska, Anchorage and was a 2019-2020 Alaska LEND (Leadership & Education in Neurodevelopmental & related Disabilities) Fellow.
My work often supports adults who identify as LGBTQ+ and have ADHD/Autism.
Prior to private practice I provided trauma-informed counseling in outpatient and inpatient mental health agencies with individuals, groups, and families across the lifespan.
Many of my clients also experience anxiety, depression, grief and perinatal/postpartum mental health concerns.
In my free time I enjoy reading, camping, paddling, and baking new recipes.
My clinical supervisor is Psychologist Dr. Hannah Ekstrom (#196093, #125200); learn more about pre-licensure on my Home page.