When it comes to supporting autistic individuals, many people think first of behavioral therapies or psychoeducational interventions. While these approaches can be helpful, there is growing recognition that autistic people also benefit from therapy that addresses emotions, relationships, and meaning. Psychodynamic therapy helps individuals on the spectrum gain insight into their inner experience and their relationships.
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on understanding how our early experiences and unconscious patterns shape the way we think, feel, and relate to others. It offers a space to explore emotions that might be difficult to express and to make sense of recurring challenges in life and in relationships.
Though autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect social communication, sensory processing, and behavior, these individuals struggle with the same unconscious conflicts and patterns that affect us all.
Meeting Autistic Clients Where They Are
Traditionally, psychodynamic therapy was not designed with neurodivergent people in mind. In fact, it sometimes misunderstood autism, framing differences in emotional expression or communication as signs of deeper pathology. Fortunately, that has changed. Today, many therapists have adapted their psychodynamic approach in ways that are affirming, respectful, and responsive to the autistic experience.
This begins with a core principle of all good therapy: meeting the client where they are. For autistic individuals, this might mean:
- Allowing for different styles of communication (including nonverbal or indirect expression)
- Being sensitive to sensory needs in the therapy space
- Understanding that emotional insight may look different but is no less significant
- Avoiding assumptions about what “healthy” relationships or emotions should look like
Rather than trying to change the person to fit a norm, psychodynamic therapy can help autistic clients explore their inner world, gain more comfort in their relationships, and navigate the complexities of identity—especially within a society that often misunderstands or marginalizes them.
Emotional Insight, at One’s Own Pace
Autistic individuals, like anyone else, may experience anxiety, depression, trauma, or identity confusion. Psychodynamic therapy can offer a calm, supportive environment to work through these challenges—not by “fixing” autism, but by recognizing the unique emotional life of each person.
Contemporary psychodynamic therapy is a collaborative, supportive process between two unique participants. It respects each person’s way of thinking and feeling, while gently inviting exploration and growth. When practiced with flexibility and neurodiversity in mind, relational psychodynamic therapy can offer autistic individuals a meaningful space to understand themselves more deeply—and to be deeply understood.