As an autistic clinician, I recognize there are far too few services for autistic adults and adolescents: it’s as though we stop existing when we hit age 12! That is why my main mission with my practice is to bridge this gap in care with autism therapy to help adults and adolescents 13+ with social skills, emotion regulation, unmasking, and overall navigating a world that rarely has us in mind.

I am an associate licensed counselor under supervision of John Thorington, LPC-S.

-Zachary Michael Sheeley, MA, ALC, CAMS-II

Adult & Adolescent Autism Therapy in Huntsville & Florence

Who I Work With

I work with autistic people aged 13+, using an affirming, collaborative approach (i.e., autism is a disability, but it is not a disease). I can also be helpful for partners, family members, and other support people of autistic people, as I can lend an inside perspective, as an autistic person myself.

People struggling with autistic masking
People struggling with their sense of identity and self-understanding
People with emotion regulation difficulties or intense emotions
People with social anxiety and social challenges
People with relationship issues due to neurodiversity

What We Could Work On

I have a collaborative approach toward goal-setting and believe there are two experts in the room: I’m an expert on mental health, and you’re an expert on yourself and your needs. Thus, your treatment plan will be a living document we create together, but common things I help autistic people with are:

FAQ

What makes autism-informed therapy different?

As an autistic clinician, I bring both professional training and lived experience to offer you unique knowledge and understanding. I understand the unique strengths and challenges that come with autism, and I’m here to support you without judgement.

Do you offer autism testing?

No. Obtaining a formal autism diagnosis is a rigorous process that requires more diagnostic training than therapists receive: a clinical psychologist (someone with a doctorate in psychology who works with clients) is required for this process. If you are in the Huntsville area, I would refer you to Silver Linings Neurodevelopment, The Riley Center, or Tree of Life Behavioral Health.

Do I need a formal autism diagnosis to work with you?

No. You don’t even have to be autistic at all: autism is just my main specialty, and I am autistic myself. My other focus areas are trauma and anger management, but I can also help with a variety of issues for those of all neurotypes. These are just the main areas I direct my training time toward and feel the most comfortable helping with.

What does an autism therapy session look like?

Sessions are tailored to individual needs, but I often find myself leaning on dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), a type of therapy focused on helping with social skills, mindfulness (living in the present and increasing your internal and external awareness), distress tolerance, and emotion regulation. I also use the PEERs social skills curriculum (specifically created by Dr. Laugeson & Dr. Frankel for autistic people) and Brainspotting, a trauma therapy that taps into your brain’s ability to heal itself through specific eye positions (There is almost always some amount of trauma that comes with being autistic in a world that largely doesn’t have us in mind).

Why do you work with autistic teens and adults?

While I might ultimately expand to helping autistic children as well (and am in the process on taking more trainings for younger age groups), I see a gap in care I feel called to fill. There are far more resources (but still not enough) for younger autistic people, but once we reach adolescence, it’s as though we disappear. I want to make sure I have plenty of slots open to help this underserved population.