Autism Spectrum Therapist in Austin, TX

Navigating life with Autism Spectrum Disorder can bring a mix of emotions: confusion, frustration, even isolation, whether you’re a parent supporting your child’s development, a teen finding your footing, or an adult managing daily life’s complexities.

At Just Mind Counseling, we’ll directly support you by matching you with a therapist that will fit your needs, no matter what! Let us help you and your loved ones navigate these challenges with the right support and guidance.

Serving Austin Since 2007

A locally owned Austin group practice staffed by experienced clinicians with 10 to 30 years in the field, available online and in person.

50+

Licensed Clinicians on Staff

4.9/5

Google Rating

Who We See

Children, teens, women, and adults across the Autism spectrum.

Where we’re located:

North Austin (Spicewood Springs), South Austin (Westlake), and telehealth statewide.

Availability:

Open 7 days a week, evening and weekend appointments.

Reputation:

4.9/5 star rating with up to 30 years of experience with most clinicians.

Our therapeutic approaches:

CBT, EMDR, behavioral therapy, and neurodiversity-affirming approaches (tailored to how Autism actually shows up, not generic productivity advice).

Insurance coverage:

Aetna, Curative, EHN, Harbor Health, Nomi Health, Sana, Self Pay: $145-215 per session with superbills provided.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition recognized in the DSM-5, characterized by challenges in social communication and the presence of restrictive interests and repetitive behaviors. Autism is a spectrum, meaning it manifests differently in each individual. Some may be nonverbal, while others might have a rich vocabulary but struggle with social interactions. Many individuals on the spectrum use “masking” strategies to navigate social situations, which can be exhausting and isolating.

Understanding autism is the first step toward finding the right support. If you have autism, you might sometimes feel isolated in your experiences. However, autism is more common than you might think, affecting people from all walks of life. According to the CDC, autism affects approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States today, and as awareness grows, so does the rate of diagnosis.

Want to find a therapist but need help? We’ll match you with the right one, no matter what!

Common Symptoms and Behaviors of Autism

Social Communication Challenges: Difficulty in understanding social cues, maintaining eye contact, or engaging in typical conversational patterns.
Restrictive Interests: Intense focus on specific topics or activities.
Repetitive Behaviors: Engaging in repetitive movements or routines.
Sensory Sensitivities: Over- or under-sensitivity to sensory inputs like sounds, lights, or textures.

Diagnosing Autism

If you suspect that you or your loved one might be on the autism spectrum, seeking a diagnosis is a crucial step. A comprehensive neurological or psychological assessment is typically required for an official diagnosis. This evaluation might include:

Standardized tests to assess behavior and abilities.
Observation-based instruments
Questionnaire forms filled out by the individual and close associates.
Interviews of the individual and those most involved in the individual’s life.

Schedule your initial consultation today!

Our Autism Therapists Are Here To Support You

Supporting Children with Autism

Autism can be especially challenging for children, impacting their performance at school, relationships with peers, and overall self-esteem. At Just Mind Counseling, we provide specialized therapy tailored to the unique needs of children with Autism. Our approach focuses on:

Helping kids develop coping strategies
Improve their behavior
Build confidence

Using evidence-based techniques such as play therapy and behavioral interventions we help create a supportive and engaging environment where children can learn and grow.

Parenting a Child With Autism

“Is my child developing okay? How do I help them make friends and keep up in school?”

If you’ve asked these questions, you’re paying attention, not overreacting. Our therapists provide guidance and resources to help you understand your child’s needs, manage their behavior, and create a positive home environment.

Autism Therapy for Teens

Being a teenager is tough enough without the added challenge of Autism. As they face increased academic demands, social pressures, and the quest for independence. Therapy for teens focuses on developing organizational skills, improving social interactions, and building self-confidence.

Is your child struggling with school or behavior issues? A psychological assessment can help.

Let us support you by matching you with the right therapist today

Autism Therapy for Adults

Missed deadlines, chronic disorganization, the quiet exhaustion of keeping up, these are common, real experiences. Our approach gives adults practical strategies to regain control, strengthen relationships, and perform better at work or school.

Let’s work together to make life feel more manageable and fulfilling. Schedule your initial consultation today.

Our Approach To Autism Therapy

Every autism journey looks different, and we treat it that way. At Just Mind Counseling, our specialists focus specifically on autism counseling, so support is built around each person’s actual needs rather than a one-size-fits-all plan. Whether therapy is for you, your child, or another loved one, our aim is simple: build on existing strengths while developing strategies for the challenges that come up.

We offer a range of therapies tailored to each individual, including:

Mindfulness: Fostering present-moment awareness to manage emotions.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helping manage anxiety, depression, and obsessive behaviors.
Modeling: Demonstrating desired behaviors for clients to emulate.
Enhancing Social Competence: Utilizing group settings and mentoring to build social skills.
Targeted Interventions: Focusing on specific areas like emotion recognition and perspective-taking.

Autism Therapy Success Stories

Find An Autism Therapist Near You

The therapists below all specialize in Autism counseling. Click on one to learn more about them and their experience.

Alisar Eido, LCSW

Bill Campbell, LPC

Courtney Lougheed, LPC

David Jenkins, LCSW

Not sure which Autism Counselor to work with? We can help!

Have Questions About Autism Therapy? We’ve Got Answers

Autism Counseling

How to communicate with a partner with Autism?

One thing we commonly say to people about Autism is that everyone is so different and that applies to communication as well. In general, there are some good resources that exist through AANE and authors like Eva Mendes, but with anything, it’s finding the right stuff to best help you and your partner. Many couples come in for strategies to build better connection and communication and accomplish this in therapy.

How to tell your therapist you think you have Autism?

Many people come in after answering a quiz about Autism, reading a relatable article, after a family member has been diagnosed. If your therapist specializes in this, there are specific assessments that can be done to delve deeper into it but the best way to fully assess it is a psychological evaluation.

What are common reasons that we may work with people who are on the spectrum?

Addressing school- or work-related difficulties
Determining life paths
Assistance with relationships, friendships, and dating
Impulse control
Learning how to self-advocate
Self-knowledge/acceptance
Coping with anxiety/depression
Handling social rejection
Planning for/adjusting to natural life transitions (e.g., into adolescence, into adulthood)
Identify development

What are common reasons that parents may seek out our support?

School-related struggles
Difficulties establishing friendships or playing with peers
Addressing bullying and building coping skills
Difficulties with emotional/behavioral regulation
Building flexibility
Learning/practicing perspective-taking skills
Learning communication strategies to ensure everyone is “on the same page.”
Planning for upcoming events/transitions
Preventing, responding to, and recovering from conflict

What are the causes of Autism?

The exact causes of autism remain unknown, but research suggests a combination of genetic and environmental factors. When people are diagnosed, they often realize there are other members in their family that also meet criteria for Autism.

How common is Autism?

Autism affects approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States.

What terms are associated with Autism

Autism spectrum disorder: current DSM-5 diagnosis based on evaluation by a medical provider or a psychologist
Autism: Used to describe a medical diagnosis or as self-identification for people who are “on the spectrum.”
Asperger’s Syndrome: Diagnosis that was removed from medical diagnostic terminology in 2013 but is still often used to self-identify. People with Asperger’s Syndrome tend to have many of the social and behavioral characteristics of autism but tend to have well-developed general communication skills and average to high IQs.
Neurodiversity: Term describing the varying profiles of individuals’ brain functions and behavior and placing them on the continuum of normal variation in humans. The concept of neurodiversity ultimately changes the landscape because it challenges the notion of autism as a disorder to be “fixed” and places greater emphasis on strengths and acceptance. If the range of neurodiversity were considered to be line with two set ends, profiles closer to the center would be considered neurotypical while those further away would be considered neurodivergent.
Neurodivergent: Traditionally describes individuals who are on the spectrum; however, this term appears to be broadening to describe people with ADHD, challenges with executive functioning, and other types of cognitive/learning variations.
Neurotypical: Traditionally, a neurotypical person has been someone who does not meet criteria for autism or a related DSM-IV/DSM-5 disorder.
On the spectrum: even before the concept of neurodiversity took the limelight, distinctive differences were noted among skills and behaviors of individuals with autism. Autism, in itself, is considered a spectrum diagnosis because of these varying profiles.

Can Autism be cured?

Autism isn’t something that needs to be cured—it’s a fundamental part of who many people are. Individuals with autism often have unique strengths, such as exceptional visual skills, attention to detail, and innovative problem-solving abilities. The scientific community now views autism not as a condition to be “fixed,” but as a different way of experiencing the world.

Today, the focus is on acceptance, understanding, and support. This means helping people with autism recognize and build on their strengths, teaching them skills to navigate challenges, and providing the necessary support systems, whether at home, school, or work. Through a neurodiverse perspective, we see autism as a valuable and unique way of perceiving and interacting with the world—some of history’s greatest minds are thought to have been autistic.