Autism-Affirming Therapy for Teens, Adults and Families

Autistic people are often asked to change who they are to fit in. Affirming therapy starts from the opposite place: understanding how you experience the world, and building on your strengths to deal with what is actually hard, such as anxiety, burnout, relationships or a big transition.

This page is about therapy. If you are looking for a formal autism evaluation, ask our intake team about options and referrals.

Our clinicians

• Maria Szabo, MHC-LP provides therapy to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families, including autism spectrum–related concerns. She spent more than 35 years working with adolescents in educational settings, many of them students who were quiet, resistant or struggling.
• Peggy Kaplin Zaloga works with adolescents and adults on autism spectrum–related concerns, anxiety, school stress and family conflict, using a skills-based approach that includes DBT.

What we help with

• Anxiety, low mood and burnout
• Social stress and relationships at school, work or home
• Emotional regulation and recovering after overwhelm
• Transitions: a new school, college, a job, moving out
• Understanding a recent or late diagnosis
• Family stress, and parents looking for support

How sessions work

Sessions adapt to you: more structure or less, direct language, breaks when needed, and room for interests that matter to you. Approaches may include CBT, DBT skills, ACT and family sessions.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a diagnosis to come in?

No. Many people come in while still wondering whether they are autistic, or long after a diagnosis. Therapy can help either way.

Do you offer autism evaluations?

This page covers therapy. Ask our intake team about evaluation options and referrals.

Can parents come too?

Yes. Maria works with families, and both clinicians can include parents where it helps.