By: Erica Taylor BS, M.A , Professional Counselor Associate

As a therapist, I believe it's essential to meet people where they are, not where we expect them to be. This is especially important when working with clients who think, learn, or process the world differently. Whether someone has a diagnosed intellectual or developmental disability, a learning difference, or simply finds traditional talk therapy challenging, counseling should be flexible and tailor their approach to fit our client's unique needs.

Making therapy more accessible isn't about changing the client; it's about adjusting how we, as therapists, show up through patience, creativity, and deep respect for each individual's strengths and needs.

Give Grace

Everyone comes to therapy with different abilities, life experiences, and ways of processing information. Some folks might need more time to understand new concepts, organize their thoughts, or connect ideas. Others may find it difficult to remember appointments or track emotional growth in ways that fit conventional expectations.

And that's okay.

As clinicians, we should offer our clients grace. This looks like letting go of rigid timelines and recognizing that healing and growth don't look the same for everyone.

Be Patient and Stay Present

Therapy is not a race. When clients are working through difficult emotions or trying to make sense of their experiences, it's important to allow time and space to process without rushing to move on.

Our culture constantly pushes us toward progress and self-improvement, but sometimes, the most radical thing we can do is simply pause and connect with ourselves and with one another.

As a clinician, I often remind myself that progress doesn't always look big or dramatic. It can be simply showing up to the session, recognizing a feeling, setting a boundary, or making a different choice. These moments should be honored and are absolutely worth celebrating.

Use Visuals, Simplicity, and Movement

Not everyone connects best through talk therapy, and that's valid. Many individuals in therapy benefit from visual tools like drawings, diagrams, emotion charts, or short written summaries. These supports can make abstract ideas more concrete and help clients reflect outside of the session.

In therapy, when we discuss complex concepts, it can be helpful to try to break things down into small, relatable steps. For example, instead of saying, "Let's explore your attachment style," one might say, "Let's talk about what feels good or hard in your relationships right now."

I also find that activities such as walking during sessions, playing games, or acting out scenarios can be powerful ways to explore feelings and build insight. Therapy doesn't have to be confined to a couch and a conversation. There are many ways to express and process.

Focus on Relationship and Autonomy

Trust and safety are at the center of all therapeutic work. Many clients, especially those who have been labeled, underestimated, or dismissed, come into therapy with understandable hesitation. That's why I aim to build relationships grounded in mutual respect, choice, and collaboration.

I don't believe therapy should ever feel like a place where you have to mask, perform, or meet someone else's standards. The goal should be to create a space where clients can be their full selves. However that looks, however, that sounds, and know that they'll be met with genuine care and respect.

Relational approaches that emphasize autonomy and collaboration have been shown to improve therapeutic outcomes for neurodivergent and cognitively diverse clients (American Psychological Association, 2020). Simply put, when clients feel empowered, they thrive.

Final Thoughts

Therapy is not one-size-fits-all. In my opinion, therapists should always strive to create accessible counseling spaces. This means honoring different ways of thinking, learning, and being in the world. It means being curious instead of corrective, supportive instead of prescriptive, and, above all, respectful of each person's journey.

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). Guidelines for Assessment and Intervention with Persons with Disabilities.