Frequently Asked Questions
You probably have questions—and that's completely normal. Whether you're considering assessment, thinking about therapy, or just trying to understand if this feels like the right fit, these answers should help clarify what to expect. If you don't see your question here, I'm always happy to talk during a consultation.
Getting Started
Do you take insurance?
I don't bill insurance directly, but many clients use their out-of-network benefits through Thrizer. With Thrizer, you only pay your estimated copay after your deductible is met—no waiting months for reimbursement or paying the full fee upfront. Most clients save about 70% this way, and I can help you check your benefits before we start.
Check your benefits now on Thrizer.
What is Thrizer?
Thrizer is a payment service that makes out-of-network therapy simple and affordable. Instead of paying my full fee upfront and waiting weeks or months for reimbursement, you only pay your copay, and Thrizer handles the rest directly with your insurance.
Thrizer works with most insurance plans in the U.S. that include out-of-network benefits. It acts like a payment method that connects with your insurance to check what's covered and calculate your exact cost. During intake, I'll guide you through setting it up and help verify your benefits.
Why don't you accept insurance directly?
Insurance companies often restrict treatment and require therapy to follow the medical model that frames autism and ADHD as pathology—problems to be fixed rather than differences to be honored. This directly contradicts my neurodiversity-affirming approach, which sees differences as valid ways of being rather than disorders to fix.
By remaining out-of-network, I can protect your privacy, avoid unnecessary pathologizing labels, and focus entirely on your goals—not an insurance company's requirements for "medical necessity."
What are your fees?
Therapy sessions: $225 per 55-60 minutes
Assessment services: Tiered pricing from $675-$1,125 depending on the type and depth of evaluation (see Assessment page for details)
Professional consultation: $225 per 55-60 minutes
A Good Faith Estimate of expected costs is provided during intake and upon request, as required by the No Surprises Act.
Do you offer a sliding scale?
Yes. I believe therapy should be accessible, and I reserve a few sliding-scale spots to make that possible. If you're interested, let me know and I can share whether one of these reduced-fee spots is currently available.
How do I schedule and pay?
You can request a free consultation through my website contact form or schedule ongoing sessions directly through my SimplePractice client portal, which also handles paperwork, billing, and telehealth access.
I accept all major credit cards, HSA, and FSA cards. Payment is processed securely through the client portal at the time of each session.
What's your cancellation policy?
Life happens, and I understand that. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give at least 24 hours' notice when possible. Sessions canceled with less notice (or no-shows) are billed at half the session fee.
This policy helps me keep time available for others waiting to be seen, while also recognizing that sometimes unexpected things come up.
About My Approach
What does "neurodiversity-affirming therapy" actually mean?
It means I see autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergences as natural human variations—not pathologies that need to be fixed or symptoms to eliminate. Therapy focuses on understanding and supporting your authentic self, building on your strengths, and creating strategies that work with your brain rather than forcing you to conform to neurotypical expectations.
You're not broken. You don't need to be "cured." You deserve to be understood and supported exactly as you are.
Who do you work with?
I specialize in working with autistic and ADHD adults, including those who are:
Recently diagnosed or self-discovering
Experiencing burnout, anxiety, depression, or trauma
Processing the grief and relief of late recognition
Struggling with masking, perfectionism, or feeling "not enough"
Navigating relationships, work, or daily life as a neurodivergent person
Looking for support that truly understands their experience
Do you treat anxiety, depression, and trauma?
Yes. These conditions commonly co-occur with autism and ADHD, and I treat them through a neurodivergent-affirming lens. I use trauma-informed approaches including Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for trauma, along with Schema Therapy and adapted DBT skills for anxiety and depression. Treatment recognizes how these struggles often connect to years of masking, invalidation, and living in a world not designed for neurodivergent brains.
Do you treat OCD?
Yes. I provide Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) adapted for neurodivergent clients. This means carefully distinguishing between OCD compulsions that cause distress and neurodivergent routines or preferences that support your wellbeing. Treatment respects your sensory needs and processing differences while effectively addressing the OCD cycle.
Do I have to mask or act "normal" in sessions?
Absolutely not. You're welcome to stim, fidget, info-dump, use notes, take movement breaks, or sit in comfortable silence. This is a space where you don't need to perform neurotypicality or hide parts of yourself. Your authentic self—however that shows up—is not only welcome but encouraged.
What makes working with you different from other therapists?
Many of my clients have felt unseen or misunderstood in previous therapy. My approach combines professional training with lived experience as a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD adult. This means I understand the exhaustion of masking, the complexity of late diagnosis, and what it feels like to finally be seen clearly.
I don't just accommodate neurodivergence—I center it. Sessions are collaborative, non-pathologizing, and designed around how your brain actually works rather than how others think it should work.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends entirely on your goals and what you're working on. Some clients benefit from short-term, focused work around specific challenges like burnout or workplace issues. Others choose longer-term therapy for ongoing support with identity integration, relationship building, or life transitions.
We'll check in regularly about what's working and adjust our approach based on your needs and preferences. You're always in control of the pace and duration.
Should I do an assessment first, or can I start with therapy?
Either path works! Some clients prefer assessment first for clarity and validation, while others start with therapy to explore their experiences before deciding if assessment is right for them. During your free consultation, we can discuss what makes most sense for your situation and goals.
Sessions & Technology
How do sessions work?
All sessions take place via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth using SimplePractice. You can join from anywhere you feel comfortable, as long as you're physically located in Minnesota during the session. The platform works on most devices without special downloads.
Standard sessions are 55-60 minutes, though longer sessions may be available when clinically appropriate (such as for initial intake, assessments or when you need more processing time).
What if I have accessibility needs?
Accessibility is a priority, not an afterthought. Options include enabling live captions, adjusting session pacing, scheduling movement breaks, allowing for silence, or modifying how we structure our time together. Please share your needs with me—I'll adapt sessions to work for you.
What happens if technology fails?
If your internet drops, we'll switch to phone to finish the session. If there's a prolonged outage, we'll reschedule at no cost to you. Technology hiccups are part of telehealth, and we'll work around them.
Assessments
Do you provide autism and ADHD assessments?
Yes. I offer comprehensive diagnostic assessments for adults that include thorough clinical interviews, standardized assessment tools, and collaborative discussion of results. You'll receive a detailed written report with personalized recommendations.
Assessment options:
Screening ($675): For clarity without formal diagnosis
Full Diagnostic Evaluation ($900): Formal diagnosis with comprehensive documentation
Comprehensive Assessment ($1,125): In-depth evaluation including co-occurring conditions
How can an assessment help me?
For many people, getting an autism or ADHD assessment is life-changing. It's not about labels—it's about clarity. An assessment can help you understand yourself better, release old self-blame and criticism, and discover strategies that actually fit who you are.
So many of my clients say things like "I finally understand why I've always felt different" or "I can stop beating myself up for struggling with things that seemed easy for everyone else."
What does the assessment process include?
Assessments are individualized to you and may include:
A collaborative interview about your history, experiences, and current life
Questionnaires and self-report tools that capture your unique perspective
A review of current challenges and strengths—because you have both
A thorough feedback session where we talk through results, recommendations, and resources together
My goal is that you walk away not just with a report, but with a deeper understanding and compassion for yourself.
Can I use assessment results for accommodations?
Often, yes. Many clients successfully use their diagnostic reports to request workplace or educational accommodations. However, requirements vary by institution, so I encourage you to confirm what specific documentation your organization needs before we begin.
Can assessments help with disability benefits?
No. I don't provide the specific type of evaluations required for Social Security Disability or other government benefits. If that's your goal, I can connect you with providers who specialize in those assessments.
Do you assess conditions beyond autism and ADHD?
Yes. While autism and ADHD are my specialties, I can also identify other mental health conditions as part of a comprehensive assessment when clinically appropriate. This is especially helpful for understanding how different conditions might interact or overlap.
What about giftedness or twice-exceptionality?
I can explore traits and challenges associated with giftedness, including executive functioning and emotional needs, as an add-on to any assessment package ($125). However, formal IQ testing requires specialized psychometric testing that's outside my scope of practice. If needed, I can provide appropriate referrals while helping you understand how giftedness and neurodivergence intersect in your life.
Legal & Professional Boundaries
Who can work with you?
I work with individual adults (18+) who are physically located in Minnesota during sessions. Therapy is provided under my Minnesota LPCC license, and I cannot provide services to clients in other states due to licensing laws.
Do you coordinate with other providers?
Absolutely. With your written consent, I'm happy to collaborate with psychiatrists, primary care doctors, or other professionals to ensure your care is well-integrated and comprehensive.
Do you provide letters for accommodations or other purposes?
Yes, in appropriate situations—most often following an assessment. If your needs fall outside my scope of practice, I'll let you know and provide referrals to professionals who can help.
Privacy & Crisis Support
Is my information kept private?
Yes. Your sessions are completely confidential, with only a few legal exceptions related to safety (such as if you're in immediate danger of harming yourself or others). All therapy takes place on a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. Please review my Privacy Policy for complete details.
Do you provide crisis or emergency services?
No. My practice is designed for ongoing, scheduled support rather than crisis intervention. If you're in immediate crisis, please:
Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
Dial 911
Go to your nearest emergency department
Contact your local crisis team
During our work together, we'll create a safety plan that includes resources you can use if you need immediate support between sessions.
Still Have Questions?
If you don't see your question here, or if you want to talk through whether we might be a good fit, I offer free 15-minute consultations. It's a chance to get your questions answered and see if working together feels right for both of us.
You can schedule your free consultation through my website contact form, or reach me directly at ChristineHarris@neuro-divergent-therapy.com.
Questions are normal and welcome—they show you're being thoughtful about your care. I'm here to provide the clarity you need to make the best decision for yourself.