Client and therapist experiences of neurodiversity-affirming emotion-focused therapy

Autistic/neurodivergent adults express a desire for psychotherapy yet experience therapists' misconceptions and outdated beliefs. We explore what it means to adopt a neurodiversity-affirming stance when working relationally with clients with an autistic/neurodivergent process. In this brief paper, we present our preliminary findings drawn from participatory research exploring therapist and client experiences of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT). We engaged EFT therapists of all neurotypes who practice EFT with autistic/neurodivergent clients and autistic/neurodivergent adults who have experience of EFT in co-creation workshops. In these co-creation workshops, we critically examine neuro-normative concepts such as therapeutic alliance, empathy, congruent functioning, anxiety, stress, and psychological growth. We used a generic approach to descriptive-interpretive qualitative research (GDI-QR) to analyse our qualitive data. Following a critical examination of lived realities of neurodivergent client and EFT therapist experiences of EFT we present our co-produced neurodiversity-affirming EFT. In this brief paper, we will present our findings drawn from co-created and co-produced research. Our findings present a neurodiversity-affirming EFT and trauma-sensitive approach for autistic/neurodivergent clients who experience anxiety.