Neurodiversity-Affirming Psychotherapy:
Clinical Pathways to Autistic Mental Health
Provides an attachment-based framework within which clinicians can support autistic/neurodivergent clients to benefit from effective, trauma-informed psychotherapy.
This book builds upon practice-based evidence to guide neurotypical psychotherapists in case conceptualization and treatment planning for autistic/neurodivergent individuals, many of whom received behaviour modification rather than psychotherapy to address mental health needs in childhood.
Widening the lens on autistic wellbeing, the author addresses multiple features of diagnosed and undiagnosed neurodivergence, highlighting the pivotal elements of communication, sensory processing, and executive functioning, and emphasizing secure attachment relationships as foundational to mental health. Throughout the book, the neurodiversity-affirming approach and framework are illuminated through clinical examples.
This book delivers practical guidance and clinical insight, offering therapists a clear understanding of the mental health issues commonly experienced by autistic/neurodivergent adults, and guiding them and their clients along a robust pathway to autistic mental health.
Praise for Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy
“With Neurodiversity-Affirming Psychotherapy Ruth offers solid guidance for clinicians embracing the opportunity for a much-needed paradigm shift in clinical practice. Blending trauma-informed, relationship focused, and co-regulation strategies to affirm neurodivergent identities is the pathway to autistic mental health. Ruth’s clinical expertise and accessible communication blend to provide an indispensable framework for neurodiversity-affirming clinical practice.”
Tess Clifford, Ph.D., C.Psych., Psychologist
"This book is a necessary and timely text for any clinician that works with neurodivergent clients. It provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of neurodivergence and its impact on mental health. The chapter on sensory processing is a valuable resource for clinicians, guiding them in understanding and integrating sensory processing into their practice. The book emphasizes the importance of centering the neurodivergent client’s sensory experience within the therapeutic alliance and provides practical guidance on how to do so. This material is essential for any clinician seeking to provide neurodiversity-affirming psychotherapy and support their clients in self-advocating around their sensory processing needs. Ruth's accessible writing style makes this text useful to professionals and lay audiences. Her obvious concern for ensuring comprehensive client care comes through. I highly recommend this book for clinicians, academics, families, and individuals who see themselves in these pages."
Dr. Paul Jerry, R. Psych, Professor and Program Director, Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, Canada
"Having experienced misdiagnosis and oversight of my neurodivergence by the mental health system, I recognize the importance of guides like this. By shedding light on the nuances of neurodiversity, Ruth's book, Neurodiversity-Affirming Psychotherapy equips psychotherapists with the necessary insights and strategies to recognize neurodivergence, provide affirming and effective support, and prevent others from enduring the unnecessary pain and misdirection I experienced in my youth."
Emily
"This resource will help therapists everywhere connect more with neurodivergent clients and give them important insights into the autistic experience.”
Meet the Author
Ruth M. Strunz, RP, CCC, Clinical Supervisor
Ruth M. Strunz is a Registered Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor specializing in cross-neurotype attachment relationships, across the lifespan. Ruth’s model of Neurodiversity-Affirming Psychotherapy is grounded in extensive practice-based evidence. She brings over 25 years of clinical experience to training and mentoring clinicians in neurodiversity-affirming psychotherapy, across Canada and internationally.
"When a flower doesn’t bloom you fix the environment in which it grows; you don’t fix the flower."
– Alexander Den Heijer