What is Neurodiversity (ND) affirming therapy?

By Dagny Pottersmith

A ND-affirming approach to therapy uses a special framework to orient the trajectory of therapeutic treatment when working with varying kinds of neurodivergence. A ND-affirming framework helps recontextualize the neurodivergent client’s unique experiences and struggles in a way that makes sense of, validates, and affirms their inherent existential value. This is especially important because, on a societal level, Neurodivergence is often marginalized and seen as a deficit in contrast to more neurotypical standards of functioning.

ND-affirming care places an emphasis on collaboration between client and clinician with an intention to discover the client’s strengths, drawing from their unique vantage point through which they experience the world. 

With this approach, clients will creatively explore the areas of support that they need while building skills and finding tools for self-advocacy, improved executive functioning, resources for regulating the nervous system, building an increased sense of autonomy, receiving accommodations, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and many more areas of focus as they apply on an individual basis. 

The ND-affirming framework at its core is designed to provide client-centered support for navigating the world with more security, safety, accessibility, and empowerment.

Divergence Mental Health offers Neurodiversity-affirming care in both individual therapy and group therapy treatment formats.