Abstract/Statement
How can Autistic therapists understand and support themselves, and how can this help them support their clients? In this paper, I recount my personal journey of healing and growth as an Autistic psychotherapist, 16 months after self-identification. Here is an overview of conceptual frameworks from #actuallyautistic authors, critical theory, queer theory, and social justice that I have found helpful. I also share some of the therapeutic and wellness approaches that have been important to me, including mindfulness and bodyfulness. Organic knowing has been pivotal for me in discerning between masking and aliveness, and regaining a choice around masking behaviors. This ability can form the core of an Autistic ascesis—a self-directed emancipatory practice for Autistic people. When Autistic therapists engage in their own Autistic ascesis to neutralize and resist neuronormativity, this enables them to help their clients do the same. Based on that, Autistic therapists are well-equipped to provide attuned and effective Autism-affirming psychotherapy.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Strong, Sasha D.
(2024)
"Learning to Be an Autistic Therapist: Personal Steps Towards an Autism-Affirming Psychotherapy,"
Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture: Vol. 6:
Iss.
1, Article 6.
DOI: 10.9707/2833-1508.1196
Available at:
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/ought/vol6/iss1/6
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