Autism Psychologist Sydney
Helping you to better understand your experiences, navigate challenges, and build on your strengths.
Autism Therapy That Starts With Understanding
Being autistic isn't something to overcome. But the right support can make it easier to navigate a world built for neurotypical minds.
Being autistic can shape the way you experience communication, relationships, emotions, sensory environments, routines, and everyday life. While these differences can bring unique strengths, they can also make everyday spaces harder to navigate when those spaces assume everyone thinks the same way.
Many autistic people spend years feeling misunderstood, masking their differences, or trying to fit into environments that don’t support their needs. Over time, this can contribute to anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, low self-esteem, and difficulties maintaining well-being.
At FORME Psychology, we provide neurodiversity-affirming Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. Our goal is to help people better understand themselves, navigate life’s challenges, and develop strategies that support long-term well-being without trying to change who they are. Sessions are available in-person in Sydney CBD and via telehealth across Australia.
Why Autism Therapy Matters
Autism therapy is not about making someone appear ‘less autistic’.
Instead, therapy focuses on understanding how a person experiences the world and identifying practical ways to support their well-being, relationships, communication, emotional health, and daily functioning.
For many people, therapy provides a space to:
Instead, therapy focuses on understanding how a person experiences the world and identifying practical ways to support their well-being, relationships, communication, emotional health, and daily functioning.
For many people, therapy provides a space to:
- Better understand their autistic identity
- Explore strengths and support needs
- Reduce anxiety, stress, and overwhelm
- Navigate sensory challenges
- Build emotional regulation skills
- Manage autistic burnout and fatigue
- Improve self-advocacy and communication
- Strengthen confidence and self-acceptance
- Navigate relationships, school, work, and life transitions
For parents, therapy may also provide guidance and support in understanding and responding to their child’s unique needs.
Who We Support With Our Autism Therapy in Sydney
At FORME Psychology, we provide support across the lifespan, recognising that autism can present differently at different ages and stages of life.
Children
We support autistic children who may be experiencing challenges with emotional regulation, anxiety, friendships, school demands, sensory sensitivities, or self-confidence.
Adolescents
The teenage years can bring increasing social, academic, and emotional pressures. Therapy may help young people better understand themselves, navigate relationships, manage stress, and build confidence in their identity.
Adults
Many adults seek therapy to better understand themselves, navigate relationships, workplace stressors, burnout, process a recent diagnosis, or explore the impact of years of masking and adapting to social situations.
We also support parents and families seeking guidance, education, and strategies to better support their autistic loved ones. Whether you are navigating your child's recent diagnosis, supporting a partner, or simply trying to understand how to help, we offer guidance, psychoeducation, and practical strategies tailored to your family's situation.
How Autism Therapy May Help
Every autistic person is different, which is why therapy is tailored to the individual rather than a diagnosis.
Areas we commonly support include:
Areas we commonly support include:
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression and low mood
- Emotional regulation
- Autistic burnout
- Sensory overwhelm
- Self-esteem and self-acceptance
- Social and relationship challenges
- Communication and self-advocacy
- School or workplace difficulties
- Life transitions
- Identity exploration following diagnosis
- Managing co-occurring ADHD
- Parent and family support
Therapy focuses on identifying meaningful goals and developing practical strategies that align with each person’s unique strengths, values, and needs.
You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from autism therapy or post-diagnostic support. Consider reaching out if any of the following resonates:
You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from autism therapy or post-diagnostic support. Consider reaching out if any of the following resonates:
- A recent diagnosis or suspect you are autistic and do not know what to do with that information
- You are exhausted from constantly masking or trying to fit in
- You struggle with work, relationships, or daily life in ways that feel out of proportion to the effort you are putting in
- You feel that therapy or support you have received in the past did not make sense for how you actually think
- You want to understand yourself better and build supportive strategies
- Your child has received an autism diagnosis and you want support for them and your family
Hoping to better understand yourself and build a life that supports your needs? Autism therapy aims to provide insight, support, and practical tools.
Book now
Our Approach to Autism Therapy
At FORME Psychology, we believe autism is a natural variation in human neurodevelopment, not something that needs to be ‘fixed’. Our approach focuses on understanding, acceptance, and support to help people thrive in ways that feel authentic and sustainable.
Therapy is tailored to each unique person and is grounded in evidence-based psychological approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Schema Therapy (adapted for neurodivergent presentations). These approaches are thoughtfully adapted to suit each person's communication style, sensory needs, and processing preferences, and we work collaboratively with new clients to identify goals, understand challenges, and develop practical strategies that support everyday life.
We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and supported throughout their therapy journey.
| Therapy | How It Helps With Autism |
|---|---|
| Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) | Adapted for autistic thinking styles, CBT can help address co-occurring anxiety and depression, cognitive rigidity, and unhelpful thought patterns when delivered by a clinician who understands how autistic minds work. |
| Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) | Highly suitable for autistic individuals. Focuses on clarifying values, building psychological flexibility, and creating a rich, meaningful life, without requiring you to change who you are. Particularly useful for identity work and post-diagnostic support. |
| Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) | Provides concrete skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Particularly helpful for autistic individuals who experience intense emotions or meltdowns, or who struggle with rejection sensitivity. |
| Narrative Therapy (NT) | Explores the stories you have been told and tell yourself about what it means to be autistic. Particularly valuable for late-diagnosed adults processing years of misunderstanding, and for rebuilding identity and self-worth on neurodiversity-affirming terms. |
The Autism Therapy Process
Initial Consultation
We begin by getting to know you, your experiences, concerns, strengths, and goals for therapy. We explore the factors contributing to your current challenges and identify areas where support may be most beneficial.
Assessment (if required)
If you have not yet received a formal autism diagnosis, an assessment may clarify your challenges and guide your therapy. We may also assess for co-occurring conditions, like ADHD.
Developing Personalised Strategies
Therapy is tailored to your unique needs and may focus on emotional well-being, communication, relationships, sensory experiences, self-understanding, or other meaningful goals.
Ongoing Support
As therapy progresses, we’ll work towards developing greater self-awareness, resilience, confidence, and practical coping strategies. Therapy remains flexible and collaborative, adapting as your needs and circumstances evolve.
Child and Adult Autism Therapy Fees
Fees are consistent with standard Clinical Psychology consultation rates, ensuring high-quality and professional care.
Initial Assessment (50 minutes):
$320 per session (Approx. $170.95 after Medicare rebate)
Ongoing Individual Therapy Sessions (50 minutes):
$300 per session (Approx. $150.95 after Medicare rebate)
Medicare rebate: $149.05 per session
Available to eligible clients with a valid Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from their GP. Up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year. No referral required to book.
Available to eligible clients with a valid Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from their GP. Up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year. No referral required to book.
Your Psychologist
With experience in both diagnostic assessment and therapy, our compassionate team is well-placed to support you with your autism diagnosis. Meet your psychologist today and learn more about their experience.
Dr Bernadette Maunick, DPsych (Clinical), MAPS
Dr Bernadette Maunick is a registered Clinical Psychologist and a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS) and its College of Clinical Psychologists. Dr Maunick completed her Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) at Deakin University in Melbourne.
Dr Maunick works with clients across the lifespan, supporting concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, trauma, burnout, low self-esteem, and relationship difficulties. She has experience across private and public mental health settings, including hospitals and private clinics.
Drawing on evidence-based approaches, Dr Maunick creates a warm, collaborative space where clients can understand how past experiences shape the present and build practical skills for everyday life.
Dr Maunick works with clients across the lifespan, supporting concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, trauma, burnout, low self-esteem, and relationship difficulties. She has experience across private and public mental health settings, including hospitals and private clinics.
Drawing on evidence-based approaches, Dr Maunick creates a warm, collaborative space where clients can understand how past experiences shape the present and build practical skills for everyday life.
Ongoing Autism Support Beyond Therapy
FORME Psychology provides therapy, assessments, and ongoing psychological support for children, adolescents, and adults experiencing challenges due to ADHD, as well as co-occurring conditions like autism. We are here to help you navigate life's challenges in a way that works and makes sense to you.
Your Autism Therapy Questions Answered
No, you don’t need a formal autism diagnosis to access therapy. Many people seek support while exploring a diagnosis or trying to better understand experiences that may be related to neurodivergence.
For many people, yes. Therapy may help people identify the factors that contribute to burnout, develop sustainable coping strategies, manage stress and overwhelm, and create environments that better support their needs.
Yes, they may. Many autistic adults seek therapy in an effort to better understand themselves, process a recent diagnosis, manage burnout, navigate relationships, workplaces stressors, and build strategies that support long-term well-being.
Yes, we work with parents and caregivers to help them better understand their child’s experiences, navigate challenges, and develop practical strategies that support the whole family.
An autism assessment is a diagnostic process that determines whether a person meets criteria for an autism spectrum. Autism therapy is the support that follows or that you may benefit from regardless of a formal diagnosis. Both are available at FORME Psychology.
No referral or Mental Health Care Plan is required to book an appointment at FORME Psychology. However, a referral with a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP makes you eligible for a Medicare rebate of $149.05 per session, for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.Note that the MHCP applies to a co-occurring mental health condition such as anxiety or depression, not autism itself.
Autistic burnout is a state of physical and mental exhaustion, reduced functioning, and increased autistic traits that results from sustained overload, typically from prolonged masking, sensory demands, and the effort of navigating a neurotypical world. It is distinct from general burnout and depression, though it can look similar.
Masking, also called camouflaging, is the process of suppressing or hiding autistic traits to appear neurotypical. Long-term masking is associated with significant mental health consequences including anxiety, depression, and burnout. Therapy helps by building self-awareness, reducing the internalised pressure to mask, and developing strategies for navigating the world more sustainably.
Interested in Evidence-Based Autism Therapy? Speak With a Clinical Psychologist Today
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your child, or your family, autism therapy aims to provide a safe, supportive space to better understand your experiences, develop practical strategies, and improve overall well-being.
At FORME Psychology, we’re committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based, and neurodiversity-affirming care that aims to help people feel understood, supported, and empowered.
At FORME Psychology, we’re committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based, and neurodiversity-affirming care that aims to help people feel understood, supported, and empowered.
Book now
