Life feels harder than it should
Therapy for neurodivergent women navigating ADHD, autism, sensory overwhelm, and motherhood in North Carolina.
Hi! Welcome to Otherwise Counseling
I work with women who often feel overwhelmed by the pace and expectations of daily life, especially when their nervous systems process the world a little differently.
Many of the women I see are exploring ADHD, autism, sensory sensitivity, or other forms of neurodivergence, sometimes for the first time in adulthood.
I’m Sara Alexander, LCSWA
I provide a space for clients to find calm, clarity, and a different way forward. A place for sensitive and neurodivergent women to explore their nervous systems without masking, shaming, or forcing themselves to live or parent the “right” way…whatever that is.
You might be in the right place if
-You feel constantly overwhelmed by the demands of daily life
-Your mind feels scattered or overloaded much of the time
-You identify as a highly sensitive person, or suspect you might be one
-Noise, busy environments, or constant interruptions quickly drain your energy
-You’ve wondered whether ADHD, autism,
or sensory sensitivity might explain some of your experiences
-You feel exhausted from trying to keep up with expectations that seem easier for other people
-You want support that understands neurodivergent nervous systems
What I Help With
ADHD in Women
Many women first begin exploring ADHD in adulthood after years of feeling scattered, overstimulated, or constantly behind. Therapy can help you understand how your brain works and build systems that actually support it.
Highly Sensitive & Overstimulated
If you identify as a highly sensitive person or find yourself frequently overstimulated by noise, crowds, or the demands of daily life, therapy can help you understand your nervous system and build a life that gives it room to recover.
Autism in Women
Many autistic women go undiagnosed for years, masking their differences and pushing through exhaustion. Therapy can be a place to explore identity, sensory needs, and a life that fits your nervous system.
Neurodivergent Pregnancy, Postpartum, & Motherhood
Pregnancy and early motherhood can leave neurodivergent women feeling overstimulated, anxious, and overwhelmed in ways that are hard to explain. Therapy offers support through these transitions while honoring your nervous system and identity.
Therapy that fits your brain and body
A Neurodivergent-Affirming Approach
Find calm without masking. Learn ways to settle your body without having to hide what you feel or pretend you’re fine.
Make sense of the chaos. Untangle what’s anxiety, what’s sensory overload, and what’s just life, so you know what to respond to and what to release.
Build trust in your own way of being. Instead of fighting to meet some invisible standard, we’ll create routines that actually work for your brain.
Grow real self-compassion. The kind that lets you be gentler with yourself when you drop the ball, melt down, or need a break.
Create small, doable changes. No giant life overhauls. Just practical steps that help you feel a little steadier each week.
Here’s how we’ll work together:
Otherwise Counseling is about knowing there is always another way to live, parent, or just be with yourself. Together, we’ll find the one that works for you.
I provide virtual therapy for neurodivergent women throughout North Carolina, including Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Online sessions mean you can access support from wherever you are in the state, without the added stress of commuting or finding childcare.
Virtual Therapy Across North Carolina
Feeling ready to take the first step?
Schedule a free 15-minute video consultation to see if we feel like a good fit. I’ll check in about what your needs are and what lead you to seek therapy now. I’ll give you a quick run-down of the logistics of working together and then tell you a bit about what to expect from doing therapy with me. You’ll also have the chance to ask any questions that will help you make a decision that feels right.
