Autism Support for Adults in Berlin
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference that can affect how you experience communication, sensory information, relationships, routines and change. For some adults, particularly those who have learned to mask their differences, recognising that they may be Autistic can bring both relief and many new questions.
If you have not been diagnosed with autism but think you might be Autistic, counselling can offer a safe space to explore your experiences, challenges and past experiences without needing to have all the answers.
At Arula Counselling, we work from a neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed perspective. This means that counselling is a collaborative process where we work together to understand your individual needs and experiences. I do not see autism as something that needs to be ‘fixed’. You are the expert on your own experience, and we want to hear your voice.
Autism in adults
Autism can look very different from person to person. Although it is often associated with childhood, autism is lifelong and some people are not identified until adulthood.
Some Autistic adults also experience anxiety, depression, ADHD or other mental health difficulties. These experiences can sometimes make it harder to recognise or understand autism, particularly when someone has spent many years adapting to expectations around them.
For some people, masking or camouflaging Autistic traits can become a way of navigating social situations and relationships. Over time, this can contribute to exhaustion, burnout, anxiety, suppressed emotions or feeling disconnected from yourself.
Unique challenges
Trying to keep up with a world that seems to move quickly can mean learning to dismiss your own needs and put others first. Everyday tasks such as getting out of bed, cooking, getting ready for work or managing changes in routine may require much more energy than they appear to require for others.
This does not mean that there is anything wrong with you. You may simply need different forms of support, such as giving yourself more time, understanding your sensory and emotional needs, developing self-compassion, adapting your environment and asking for support when you need it.
Arula Counselling integrates creative, psychodynamic, mindfulness and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) approaches with a focus on neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed care.
Counselling for Autistic adults in Berlin
Counselling can help you explore your experiences of masking and understand how it may be affecting your wellbeing, while creating space to get to know yourself again. If you have learned to mask your Autistic traits since childhood, it can take time to recognise your own needs and feel comfortable in expressing them. Together, we can explore your childhood experiences and reflect on how you have experienced and made sense of the world.
Living in a predominantly neurotypical world as a neurodivergent person can have an impact on mental health. Developing greater awareness of your experiences can help you understand why you respond to certain situations in particular ways, recognise what you need, and find ways of supporting yourself that feel more sustainable.
Working with a counsellor who understands autism and neurodivergence can offer a supportive space to make sense of your experiences. We can explore masking at your own pace and consider where it may feel safe or helpful to express yourself more authentically, without the expectation that you need to change who you are.
Counselling can offer:
Safety and acceptance
Structure and consistency
Support with navigating change
Understanding your individual needs
Developing self-compassion
Exploring anxiety, depression and burnout
Making sense of masking and unmasking
A space to process past experiences
Music therapy for Autistic adults
In addition to counselling, music therapy can be a valuable resource for Autistic adults, particularly when experiences are difficult to express through words.
In sessions, we can use writing, art or music as forms of self-expression. This can create another way of exploring your experiences and understanding yourself.
Learn more about me and my English-speaking counselling in Berlin.
Autism assessment and identification for adults in Berlin
You do not need an autism diagnosis to come to counselling. If you are wondering whether you may be Autistic, we can explore your experiences together without rushing towards a diagnosis.
Arula Counselling works closely with The Berlin Autism Clinic, which offers neuro-affirmative autism assessments for adults in English.
You can also find support from The Adult Autism Practice, which offers autism assessments for adults in the UK, Ireland and internationally online.
Counselling can also provide support while you are going through the assessment process, as well as afterwards if receiving an identification brings up new questions, emotions or a need to rethink your past experiences.
If you are interested in working with us then we look forward to connecting with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I come to counselling if I don't have an autism diagnosis?
Yes. You do not need a formal diagnosis to come to counselling. If you think you may be Autistic, we can explore your experiences and what support might be helpful.
Can you diagnose autism?
No. I don't provide autism assessments or formal diagnoses. I can support you in preparing for an assessment and signpost you towards assessment services in Berlin.
What if I'm not sure whether I'm Autistic?
You don't need to be certain. We can explore your experiences without making assumptions or rushing towards a diagnosis.
Will counselling try to change my Autistic traits?
No. My approach is neurodiversity-affirming. The focus is on understanding yourself, your needs and what helps you feel supported, rather than trying to make you more neurotypical.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace a therapeutic relationship with a trained professional. If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 112 or your country's crisis line, where professional mental health workers can help you.
References
Cook, J., Hull, L., Crane, L., & Mandy, W. (2021). Camouflaging in autism: A systematic review. Clinical psychology review, 89, 102080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102080
Hofvander, B., Delorme, R., Chaste, P., Nydén, A., Wentz, E., Ståhlberg, O., Herbrecht, E., Stopin, A., Anckarsäter, H., Gillberg, C., Råstam, M., & Leboyer, M. (2009). Psychiatric and psychosocial problems in adults with normal-intelligence autism spectrum disorders. BMC psychiatry, 9, 35. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-9-35
Kenny, L., Hattersley, C., Molins, B., Buckley, C., Povey, C., & Pellicano, E. (2016). Which terms should be used to describe autism? Perspectives from the UK autism community. Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 20(4), 442–462. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361315588200
Lipinski, S., Boegl, K., Blanke, E. S., Suenkel, U., & Dziobek, I. (2022). A blind spot in mental healthcare? Psychotherapists lack education and expertise for the support of adults on the autism spectrum. Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 26(6), 1509–1521. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211057973
Malik-Soni, N., Shaker, A., Luck, H. et al. Tackling healthcare access barriers for individuals with autism from diagnosis to adulthood. Pediatr Res 91, 1028–1035 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-021-01465-y