Therapy Group for Autistic Adults

About This Group

This group is designed for autistic adults who are looking for a space that gets it, where your neurology is not a problem to be solved, but a valid and valuable way of being in the world. Whether you carry a formal diagnosis, are self-identified, or are somewhere in the process of exploring what autism means for you, you are welcome here.

This is an ongoing, therapist-led virtual group that blends therapeutic support, skills development, and peer community. The approach is neurodiversity-affirming and integrative, drawing flexibly from various practices to meet the needs of the group, including elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness practices, strengths-based frameworks, and community connectedness.

The group is open to individuals at different stages of understanding their neurodivergence, including those who are still exploring whether autism may be part of their story. This is not a space for labeling or diagnosing. It is a space to reflect, connect, and better understand your own experience in a way that feels meaningful and useful.

Who This Group Is For

This group may be a good fit for you if:

• You identify as autistic – formally diagnosed, self-identified, or still exploring
• You are an adult (18+)
• You are interested in connecting with others who think and experience the world similarly
• You have felt out of place in more neurotypical social or therapy environments
• You want a space where you can participate at your own pace, without pressure to perform socially

You may be at any point in your relationship with autism and all of these are welcome:

• Curious about whether autism applies to you
• Recently self-identified or diagnosed and trying to make sense of it
• More established in your autistic identity and looking for deeper exploration or community

All genders, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, and lived experiences are welcome. The group is affirming of LGBTQ+ identities.

What the Group Is Like

Each session is 60 minutes. You will know the theme for each upcoming session in advance, so you can arrive with some sense of what to expect and reflect beforehand if you’d like, or simply show up. A typical session includes:

• A theme or topic, such as work, relationships, identity, masking, burnout, sensory experiences, communication, or routines
• Space for open discussion and personal sharing
• Optional structured elements, which may include:
  – Brief writing or reflection prompts
  – Short readings or video clips
  – Creative or experiential exercises
  – Mindfulness or grounding practices

You are always free to engage in whatever way feels most comfortable – speaking, listening, reflecting quietly, or participating in other ways. There is no expectation to share beyond what feels right for you, and no one will be put on the spot. The group aims to be structured enough to feel grounded, and open enough to follow where members actually need to go.

What We Focus On

While the group will evolve based on members’ needs and preferences, common areas of focus include:

• Autistic identity, self-understanding, and unmasking
• Navigating work, career, and daily demands
• Relationships: friendships, dating, and family
• Masking, burnout, and energy management
• Emotion regulation and emotional awareness
• Sensory processing and building environments that work for you
• Communication styles and navigating misunderstandings
• Executive function, routines, and structure
• Self-advocacy, values clarification, and self-acceptance

Our Approach

Neurodiversity-affirming. Autism is understood as a difference, not a disorder to be corrected. We do not work toward making you appear more neurotypical. We center your wellbeing, your strengths, and your right to exist authentically.

Integrative. Sessions draw flexibly from many therapy and support group approaches, using whatever tools best serve the group.

Flexible and responsive. Sessions adapt to the needs and preferences of the group. Structured when helpful, open when needed.

We recognize that many autistic adults have had experiences in therapeutic, medical, or educational settings that were invalidating or simply not built with them in mind. This group is an intentional departure from that.

Group Details

Format: Virtual (HIPAA-compliant video platform)
Day & Time: Mondays, 7:00–8:00 PM EST
Session Length: 60 minutes
Structure: Ongoing, in 10-week cycles; members are welcome to continue after each cycle
Weekly Fee: $90
Facilitator: Elliot Rayman, Ph.D.

About the Facilitator

The group is led by Elliot Rayman, Ph.D., a post-doctoral psychologist at Inclusive Minds Foundation. Elliot specializes in working with autistic and neurodivergent adults and couples, with experience in both therapy and diagnostic assessment.

How to Get Started

To learn more or inquire about joining, please reach out to schedule a brief intake conversation. This is a relaxed opportunity to ask questions, share a little about yourself, and see whether this group feels like the right fit. No commitment required.

Contact: elliot@inclusivemindsfoundation.org