Autism Therapists in 21128
Emily Mori
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LCPC, NCC, CAS, ADHD-, CCSP
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Perry Hall, MD 21128
As a Certified Autism Specialist, I have extensive background working with both children and adults on the autism spectrum.
As a strength-based therapist I believe mindfulness is the best approach to life's challenges. I help to empower clients seeking to move forward and to achieve their wellness goals. I am passionate about working with children, adolescents, and young adults who are experiencing challenges with academics, parenting, family dynamics, transitions, and regulatory and behavioral issues. My goal is to help clients confront their problems in a way that results in practical, long-term solutions. I am uniquely skilled with working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
As a Certified Autism Specialist, I have extensive background working with both children and adults on the autism spectrum.
As a strength-based therapist I believe mindfulness is the best approach to life's challenges. I help to empower clients seeking to move forward and to achieve their wellness goals. I am passionate about working with children, adolescents, and young adults who are experiencing challenges with academics, parenting, family dynamics, transitions, and regulatory and behavioral issues. My goal is to help clients confront their problems in a way that results in practical, long-term solutions. I am uniquely skilled with working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
Fern Cohen
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-C, CAS
Verified Verified
8 Endorsed
Perry Hall, MD 21128
As a Certified Autism Specialist (CAS), I champion neurodiversity and a strength-based approach.
With a vibrant spirit and dedication to lifelong learning, I earned dual Master's degrees in Social Work and Jewish Studies from the University of Maryland School of Social Work in 1991, also completing the esteemed Baltimore Institute of Jewish Communal Service program.Over the years, I've joyfully contributed to various nonprofit organizations as an educator, community organizer, and social worker. Alongside my loving husband, we've raised three wonderful children, now thriving young adults.
As a Certified Autism Specialist (CAS), I champion neurodiversity and a strength-based approach.
With a vibrant spirit and dedication to lifelong learning, I earned dual Master's degrees in Social Work and Jewish Studies from the University of Maryland School of Social Work in 1991, also completing the esteemed Baltimore Institute of Jewish Communal Service program.Over the years, I've joyfully contributed to various nonprofit organizations as an educator, community organizer, and social worker. Alongside my loving husband, we've raised three wonderful children, now thriving young adults.
Imagine your mental health as a garden—what would it currently look like? Are there overgrown weeds taking up too much space, symbolizing past traumas or emotional blocks that stifle your growth? Perhaps delicate seeds, representing unexplored aspects of your inner world, are struggling to break through the surface. Just as a gardener carefully tends to their plants, nurturing your inner child is essential for fostering a vibrant and balanced inner landscape. I am an art therapist, artist, and outdoor walk-and-talk therapy enthusiast, specializing in providing clients with care through creative expression, nature, and movement!
Imagine your mental health as a garden—what would it currently look like? Are there overgrown weeds taking up too much space, symbolizing past traumas or emotional blocks that stifle your growth? Perhaps delicate seeds, representing unexplored aspects of your inner world, are struggling to break through the surface. Just as a gardener carefully tends to their plants, nurturing your inner child is essential for fostering a vibrant and balanced inner landscape. I am an art therapist, artist, and outdoor walk-and-talk therapy enthusiast, specializing in providing clients with care through creative expression, nature, and movement!
Caitlin Rhodes
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, MA, LCPC
Verified Verified
7 Endorsed
Perry Hall, MD 21128
I value utilizing a strengths-based approach to counseling that caters to each person's unique identity while helping them to reach their wellness goals. I work with children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing challenges with anxiety, depression, ADHD, life transitions, and conflict in interpersonal relationships.
I value utilizing a strengths-based approach to counseling that caters to each person's unique identity while helping them to reach their wellness goals. I work with children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing challenges with anxiety, depression, ADHD, life transitions, and conflict in interpersonal relationships.
Renee Bonifacio Richberg
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LCPC, CMDP, CCATP
Verified Verified
7 Endorsed
Perry Hall, MD 21128
As we journey through life, we encounter obstacles and challenges through the interactions we have with our family, our friends, and our environment that shape our reactions to the world around us and impact our self-perception. We may be unaware of how these behaviors negatively impact our day to day interactions and functioning that may be hindering our potential, leading to existential crises and feelings of aimlessness and hopelessness.
As we journey through life, we encounter obstacles and challenges through the interactions we have with our family, our friends, and our environment that shape our reactions to the world around us and impact our self-perception. We may be unaware of how these behaviors negatively impact our day to day interactions and functioning that may be hindering our potential, leading to existential crises and feelings of aimlessness and hopelessness.
Art therapy is not just about being able to express yourself but also being able to process and explore what is made. My role as an art therapist is to help with the processing and exploration through meeting you where you are, actively listening to what you bring into the space, and providing you with the art materials and directives that best suit your needs and where you are at. As an art therapist, it is important for me to provide a safe space, active listening, empathy, cultural humility, and open-mindedness to clients, as well as being trauma-informed.
Art therapy is not just about being able to express yourself but also being able to process and explore what is made. My role as an art therapist is to help with the processing and exploration through meeting you where you are, actively listening to what you bring into the space, and providing you with the art materials and directives that best suit your needs and where you are at. As an art therapist, it is important for me to provide a safe space, active listening, empathy, cultural humility, and open-mindedness to clients, as well as being trauma-informed.
John Backert
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LCPC, NCC
Verified Verified
Perry Hall, MD 21128
As a therapist, I draw from different theoretical orientations to help create an evidence based and tailored strategy for each client. Some of those different modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness. I view therapy as a journey and I aim to create a safe and open environment for that journey.
As a therapist, I draw from different theoretical orientations to help create an evidence based and tailored strategy for each client. Some of those different modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness. I view therapy as a journey and I aim to create a safe and open environment for that journey.
My approach to therapy is through a person-centered lens in order to focus on each client’s needs and goals within the therapeutic environment. As a Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional, I assist clients in creating an open and safe space for honest discussions. I have experience with individuals struggling with substance abuse, trauma, anxiety, and depression. I also have experience working with children. My goal is to create a safe and open environment to allow for processing and healing.
My approach to therapy is through a person-centered lens in order to focus on each client’s needs and goals within the therapeutic environment. As a Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional, I assist clients in creating an open and safe space for honest discussions. I have experience with individuals struggling with substance abuse, trauma, anxiety, and depression. I also have experience working with children. My goal is to create a safe and open environment to allow for processing and healing.
Hannah Jones
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LCPC, CCFP, ADHD-, CCSP
Verified Verified
7 Endorsed
Perry Hall, MD 21128
As a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional, I am dedicated to providing an empathetic, reflective, and compassionate approach to therapy.
As a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional, I am dedicated to providing an empathetic, reflective, and compassionate approach to therapy.
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Autism Therapists
What is the most effective treatment for autism?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has come to be considered the standard treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder, and research has confirmed its effectiveness for many children. Therapists trained in ABA techniques work with children (and their parents) on developing social skills, communication and learning abilities, and everyday habits of hygiene and grooming. The clinician will tailor their program to the child’s particular need but the overarching goal will be to help them advance as far as possible toward independence based on their level of symptoms and decrease the need for additional special services. Families should seek a mental health professional specifically trained in ABA, and holding special certification in the technique, who has extensive experience not only with the approach but in using it with children with the same level of symptoms as the child who needs care.
How does ABA work?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) sessions, which typically focus on positive reinforcement, can be intensive, lasting two or more hours several times a week, and continuing for two years or more. Therapists can also be expected to ask parents to take an active role in reinforcing lessons. Research has found that the technique can lead to major improvements that decrease the need for additional special services.
How does treatment for autism work?
Therapy sessions based on Applied Behavior Analysis will likely be frequent, intensive, and highly structured. After a thorough assessment, a therapist will help a child understand and develop skills in a range of areas, including communication, motor skills, social skills, self-care, play, and academic skills, as well as routines of daily living like hygiene. Typically, the therapist will help a child break down the components of a behavior—often referred to as the antecedent (what prompts an action), the behavior, and the consequence(what immediately follows)—and then reward the child at every step, while also asking parents to reinforce the lessons, and the rewards, throughout the day. This core therapy may be supplemented by occupational or speech therapy, and antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants may be prescribed to address specific severe symptoms.
How long does therapy for autism take?
Some people with autism spectrum disorder may be engaged in some level of therapy for many years, but research shows that treatment will be most effective if it is begun early and delivered intensively. When therapy begins by age 3, children tend to be better able to grasp and adopt the skills needed to manage everyday life, including attending school and establishing social relationships. This type of early-intervention treatment regimen is highly structured, typically involving 20 to 40 hours of one-on-one therapy per week, along with additional hours of engagement managed by parents, for a period of two years or more, although the duration of treatment is dependent on the child’s level of symptoms and pace of progress.