Looking for a therapist with autism

Yes, there is certainly a mismatch there and the double empathy theory shifts the balance well away from blaming just one party to any interaction (usually the neurodivergent person).

There are also different kinds of empathy, emotional and affective, and generally on counselling courses no distinction is made.   This is in spite of empathy generally being seen as one of the core tenets in building a therapeutic relationship.  With hindsight I'm surprise this isn't explored.  

Generally though, i find the assumption that autistics will be low on empathy to be way off the mark.  Certainly within myself it feels as though it grows out of sensitivity  - and sensitivity is certainly up there in traits that tend to be associated with autism.  

I accept though, that, given the stereotyping around autism, people can be puzzled.  And one strong reaction to my own diagnosis was, "But you can't be.  You're a counsellor!"  Nevertheless, I must confess to coming out with a low score on the EQ test.  Not sure what to make of that.            

Yes, I have a couple of her books too and would certainly consider her services in the future.  I think the Girl with the Curly Hair project also offers a counselling service, although i've not tried it either. 

I've never met Sarah Hendrickx, but I have seen and heard enough of her frequent support group presentations to be impressed by her numerous insights and her cheerfulness.

axia-asd.co.uk/.../

I just wrote a really long reply and it got swallowed by the cyber abyss :'( basically I was just rambling about the Double Empathy theory (that instead of just autistic people being bad at understanding & communicating with others, it's actually a two-way thing - neurotypicals are just as bad at communicating with us, and when we communicate with other autistic people there is much less of a "deficit"), and about a study I read recently that investigated this theory.

www.thinkingautismguide.com/.../the-problem-with-autistic-communication.html

Has anyone tried Hendrickx Associates, for example, or Lisa Cromar Counselling? 

There are actually a few around plus, of course, there are those who have already trained as counsellors and then later realise that they are autistic themselves.  I myself fall into this category, although I'm not curently practising due to the various issues within my own family (it would have been unethical under the circumstances).  

There is a FB group called "Counsellors working with neurodiversity" and many belonging to this group are themselves neurodivergent, usually autistic.  Might be worth a look.   

After asking around I've actually found a couple of them and have a session booked with one in the new year. :) I knew there wouldn't be many since autism does by definition cause difficulties with some of the main skills therapists need (no way I could do it) but I was confident they'd exist - we're all so different. 

However, I'm sure they do exist. (I'm a bit loathe to send you any links because I believe we are nor supposed to do open endorsements. PM if interested at all :-) There are certainly diagnosticians who I could be located somewhere on the spectrum. And as Plastic says, they have been known to struggle with getting their qualifications. But that struggle also gives them some insight, Such diagnosticians may also associate with therapists with personal experience); and probably practice some therapies themselves.

I know of a UK site that trains therapists, where you also can search for therapists near you. If their self-help books are anything to go by, they have a rather direct approach, and reckon that long-term multiple therapy sessions are NOT usually necessary. They suggest two or three visits should often be more than adequate for most; with a wide range of different approaches being possible, tailored to individual needs (but NOT psychotherapy ;-) ; And that some progress should really be made right from the first meeting.

But I haven't experienced this for myself. That is partly because I live in a very remote location where therapy is neither available or willing to deal with what is locally a taboo subject. I am also a bit economically challenged, but can usually spare a bit of dosh for various media. These can be 'read' several times and are usually quite entertaining. (So it is like a hobby.) I have concentrated on reading self-help books from reputable sources. As you are almost certainly your own expert, I reckon you might want to do something similar. And there is also probably no reason why you can't improvise your own therapy by investigating stuff like self-hypnosis, meditation, psychology, concentration, philosophy, yoga, pilates, support groups, spirituality, countryside pursuits......... The list of possibilities is almost endless. But something you can share with others (of a similar ilk) is preferable.

Sure, it might not be appropriate for everyone, but I would be surprised if you didn't receive some benefit from it.

There are a few professionals who understand autism - most don't.

I'd try talking to them first to ascertain their experience with autism before you engage their services.

I'd think you would be very unlikely to find a professional with autism as they would have difficulty getting through the course to get the qualifications - because of the very problems you are encountering.

My therapist is neurotypical but is an expert in autism, She teaches part time at a private autistic school. The rest of her time is seeing people like me.

She is the only person that I have come across that actually understands how I think. I recon she probably saved my life

Im not sure where you live but she lives in Swindon, Wiltshire.