Who we are
Neurodivergence and Trauma Counseling and Consultation a specialty therapy practice dedicated to providing expert individual and couples therapy and consultation services in the intersection of neurodivergence-affirming psychotherapy and trauma therapy.
Autistic, ADHD, and other neurodivergent individuals and their family members have historically been poorly served by traditional therapy methods and providers due to differences in communication styles, information processing, and neurodivergent traits being misunderstood or pathologized. Additionally, neurodivergent individuals experience traumatic events and develop PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms at higher rates than their neurotypical peers.
Our practice believes that exceptional care for neurodivergent individuals requires a dual specialization in neurodivergence-affirming therapy as well as a wide skillset in trauma therapy modalities. We also integrate trauma therapy with supporting clients with experiences that are common among neurodivergent individuals including executive functioning needs, navigating overwhelm and burnout, OCD, and body focused repetitive behaviors.
We also provide speciality services for traumatic or complex grief as well as individual and group therapy to individuals and families impacted by other variations of neurodivergence and trauma such as dissociative disorders and those who have been diagnosed with or are impacted by Borderline Personality Disorder or Narcissistic Personality Disorders. We take a trauma-informed and holistic approach to all emotional, relational, and behavioral challenges and seek to understand and embrace the whole person with compassion and a nuanced view of challenges and the reasons behind behaviors or struggles.
We’d love to get to know you and see if we are the right practice to support you!
Our offices are located at 5652 Shields Drive, Bethesda, Maryland and 1298 Bay Dale Drive in Arnold, Maryland. Both have ample free parking. We are also happy to support clients throughout Maryland and Virginia virtually.
Meet the Team
Emily Francis, M.A., M.S., LCPC, NCC
Emily is an AuDHD therapist with a speciality in trauma therapy for teens and adults and neurodivergence-affirming parent coaching. Emily is the clinical director of Neurodivergence and Trauma Counseling and Consultation and offers EMDR, brainspotting, and parts work (IFS and ego state therapy), DBT-informed therapy, and Safe and Sound Protocol. Emily is also available for supervision and professional consultation.
Learn more about Emily!
Elizabeth Crunk, PhD, LGPC, NCC
Elizabeth is an experienced counselor-educator who specializes in supporting adults through complicated grief and complex trauma. Elizabeth draws from narrative and experiential modalities including IFS / parts work, coherence therapy, gestalt, and relational psychotherapy. Elizabeth has a special interest in supporting individuals with high sensitivity including autistic and ADHD clients to embrace their authentic selves and to heal from the impacts of narcissistic abuse, traumatic invalidation, and traumatic loss.
Learn more about Elizabeth!
Ashley Brilliant, M.A., LGPC
Ashley is an ADHD therapist with a speciality in providing trauma therapy for kids, teens, and adults and neurodiverse couples counseling. Ashley has a passion for working with survivors of complex trauma using EMDR, brainspotting, parts work, and flash, and also offers DBT-informed therapy, and ACT and iCBT for OCD. Ashley is Gottman trained and AANE certified in Neurodiverse Couples Counseling.
Learn more about Ashley!
Tasha Chemel, Ed.M. LMSW
Tasha is an AuDHD therapist with a speciality in helping older teens and adults adjust to ADHD and autism diagnoses, manage life demands, and navigate burnout and disability from an affirming, non-pathologizing perspective. Tasha also offers IFS-informed trauma therapy with a focus on attachment trauma / family of origin work, autistic trauma, and understanding limerence and dissociative experiences
Learn more about Tasha!
Our Therapeutic Approach
Our approach to therapy is unapologetically affirming, collaborative, and strengths-focused. We believe our current challenges are opportunities to heal and grow.
As trauma therapists, we seek to sit with our clients in the hard places, bringing warmth and authenticity, and providing relational safety and containment to allow clients to do the hard word of reconnecting with the exiled or frightened parts of themselves.
If you feel hopeless, I will hold the hope for you. If you struggle with anger, shame, or deep and confusing pain, I will join you there. There is nothing so terrible that cannot be seen, named, and healed in the context of a strong and affirming therapeutic relationship.
We may be great fits for anyone who has felt stuck or misunderstood in previous therapy or who worries that they are too much.
Please reach out for a free consult if you’d like to learn more!
How it Works
1. Start with a free 20 minute consultation.
We explore your goals together & determine if our services are the right fit.
2. Choose a schedule that’s best for you.
Once we decide to move forward, you select a regular schedule for your needs.
3. Get started & reach new depths.
As we get to know each other, we will develop a collaborative approach for you!
Start with a free 20 minute consultation.
Please use this form to request a free 20 minute consultation.
Once we have received your request, please allow us 1-2 business days to reply.
