Finding a therapist as a Black autistic adult can feel frustrating, exhausting, and at times, impossible.
✔ Many therapists aren’t trained to recognize autism in Black people.
✔ The mental health field is still full of racism, ableism, and outdated views of neurodivergence.
✔ You might leave sessions feeling misunderstood, dismissed, or even worse than before.
So how do you find therapy that actually helps instead of just checking a box? Let’s talk about how to navigate therapy as a Black autistic adult.
Why Therapy Often Fails Black Autistic People
✔ Medical Racism & Bias in the Mental Health Field
- Many Black adults are misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, or personality disorders instead of autism.
- Therapists often fail to take cultural differences into account—labeling normal behaviors as “defiant” or “uncooperative.”
✔ Lack of Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapists
- Most therapists were trained to view autism as something to “fix” rather than support.
- If a therapist focuses too much on eye contact, “appropriate” social skills, or masking behaviors, they’re not the right fit.
✔ Therapy Models That Don’t Fit Autistic Needs
- Traditional talk therapy isn’t always sensory-friendly, direct, or structured enough for autistic clients.
- Many of us struggle with identifying emotions in the moment—so being asked “how do you feel about that?” can feel impossible to answer.
How to Find the Right Therapist
✔ Step 1: Look for Someone Who Specializes in Autism or Neurodiversity
- Search for neurodivergent-affirming therapists who understand that autism isn’t a disorder… it’s a way of existing.
- If they mention ABA therapy or “fixing social skills”… keep looking.
✔ Step 2: Seek Out a Culturally Competent Therapist
- If possible, look for Black therapists or therapists who have experience working with Black clients.
- Check directories like:
- Therapy for Black Girls (they also have nonbinary & male therapists)
- Inclusive Therapists (for intersectional, affirming care)
- Open Path Collective (for lower-cost therapy options)
✔ Step 3: Be Clear About Your Needs From the Start
- Before committing to a therapist, ask direct questions:
- “What’s your experience working with Black neurodivergent adults?”
- “Do you practice neurodiversity-affirming care?”
- “How do you approach sensory needs, emotional processing, and burnout?”
✔ Step 4: Give Yourself Permission to Leave If It’s Not a Good Fit
- If a therapist dismisses your experiences, talks down to you, or makes you feel unheard, you do not have to stay.
- You deserve therapy that validates, supports, and empowers you… not therapy that forces you to fit a neurotypical mold.
What to Do If You Can’t Find an Autistic-Affirming Therapist
✔ Seek Community Support
- Online spaces, peer support groups, our BA&P peer support blog and Black autistic communities can provide guidance, validation, and coping strategies even if therapy isn’t an option.
✔ Use Self-Guided Therapy Tools
- Books, workbooks, and neurodivergent-led resources can help you process emotions and experiences in a way that makes sense for you.
✔ Consider Alternative Healing Practices
- Therapy isn’t the only way to heal… journaling, meditation, creative expression, and cultural practices can be just as powerful.
Therapy should feel supportive, not exhausting.
If you’ve had bad experiences with therapy before, it’s not because you’re “too difficult” or “not trying hard enough.” You just haven’t found the right fit yet.
You deserve mental health care that sees you fully, supports you fully, and helps you thrive.
As always… take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and know that you are not alone in this journey. ❤