Elizabeth Ponds, BA, MSW, LCSW (offering therapy and consultation)

*I only offer telehealth at this time and only see clients aged 16+.*

I believe that clients are the experts of their own experiences and carry inherent worth and internal resources that I am honored to witness. I see my clients as complex narrators of their unique stories, often wielding galactic inner landscapes that deserve to be celebrated and burdens that no longer need to be shouldered. I practice from a neurodivergent-affirming, decolonial, non-pathologizing paradigm, especially enjoying aiding autistic clients to validate and accommodate their authentic selves. As a late-identified 2e AuDHD person, I understand the existential journey into self-acceptance and connection to healthy, affirming communities.

As a queer agender person, I specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ clients, including asexual, aromantic, bisexual, and trans/nonbinary clients. I hope to help clients think outside pathology paradigms (like the DSM) and deconstruct oppressive ideologies (like religious fundamentalism, white supremacy, colonialism, capitalist patriarchy) so that they can be present with their own inherent self-worth and that of their fellow humans.

I use an eclectic, relational, trauma-informed approach, leaning on lived experience while incorporating parts work, somatic exploration, creative writing, and acceptance and commitment techniques. I have my Bachelor’s degree in English – Creative writing and am a published creative nonfiction and poetry writer, and I’d love to have more client who want to incorporate written expression into their healing journey. I highly value the therapeutic relationship and see it as a co-creative dance between two inherently valuable body-minds. I meet each client wherever they are, with curiosity, accommodation, consent, gentleness, and respect.

I practice cultural humility and competence as a white-bodied person from rural South Carolina who escaped Christian fundamentalism and who currently lives on Catawba and Sugaree land. I actively listen to or am in relationship with people who have lived experience and wisdom related to being neurodivergent, mad, plural, Black, Latinx, Indigenous, spiritual, undocumented, a person of the global majority or global South, disabled, chronically ill, gender-nonconforming, and much more. I am continually divesting from whiteness, white supremacy, capitalism, colonialism, heterosexism, ableism, and many other violent systems so that I can be an effective co-conspirator within my community and as a therapist in this oppressive empire. It would be a privilege to be a part of your journey!

—–
Separately from therapy services, I also offer consultation to other therapists and autistic adults anywhere in the world. I offer consultation centered on my knowledge, experience, and resources with the autistic neurotype and best practices for neuro-affirming care. Sliding scale pricing. Please contact me via email at elizabeth@neurokinconsulting.com for this. The rates vary depending on amount of time, but they are lower than therapy and not a replacement for therapy.