(She/Her)
I am currently accepting a limited number of short-term clients for ADHD, Autism, and differential diagnosis assessments through select insurances, EAPs and private pay. I have completed advanced training in ADHD and Autism assessment and approach this work with care, thoughtfulness, and respect for each client’s full lived experience. Because ethical and accurate evaluation matters, some criteria and considerations may apply before beginning the assessment process. I also offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as part of my therapeutic work with adults who have experienced trauma, chronic stress, or emotional overwhelm. EMDR can support healing from past experiences, including those related to masking, invalidation, or sensory and relational trauma, in a way that is gentle, collaborative, and paced to each client’s needs. My approach to EMDR is grounded in safety, autonomy, and respect for each person’s nervous system and lived experience. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Kentucky, and I bring both professional training and lived experience into my work. As a queer and neurodivergent therapist, I am especially passionate about serving LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent adults who are seeking clarity, self-understanding, and support. My work often focuses on helping clients make sense of overlooked or misunderstood experiences, build practical coping tools, set meaningful goals, and grow in self-trust and self-acceptance. I strive to practice with cultural humility, curiosity, and accountability, knowing that mental health is deeply shaped by identity, systems, and community. I believe in equity over equality and in creating spaces where people feel respected, empowered, and supported as their full selves. You can find me on Facebook and Instagram by searching “Sydney Wilson, LCSW.”
In the first session, we will focus on getting to know you and understanding your unique experiences, strengths, and needs as part of your ADHD/Autism (ASD) assessment. We will talk about your learning and work history, relationships, sensory preferences, attention and organization style, emotional experiences, and the ways you have learned to adapt and care for yourself over time. We will also explore what led you to seek this evaluation and what you hope to gain from it. We will discuss how ADHD and Autism can show up differently for each person and how this process is meant to better understand your brain, support your goals, and identify helpful tools and accommodations.
What stands out about my work is that I don’t approach assessment or therapy as a process of finding “what’s wrong,” but as a way to help people better understand themselves. My approach is neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and values-driven, meaning I center autonomy, context, and lived experience rather than relying only on checklists or surface-level symptoms. Methodologically, I combine thorough, ethical assessment practices with strong relational care. I take time to understand developmental history, masking, systemic barriers, and cultural factors, and I intentionally explore trauma, anxiety, and burnout so diagnoses are thoughtful and accurate rather than rushed.
-Identify as neurodivergent (ADHD, autistic, or exploring that identity) and want support that doesn’t pathologize how your brain works -Have been labeled “anxious,” “depressed,” or “too sensitive,” but suspect there’s a deeper or more nuanced story -Are navigating identity exploration (neurodivergence, gender, sexuality, life direction) and want space to do that safely -Struggle with executive functioning, motivation, or follow-through and are tired of advice that doesn’t actually fit your life -Feel disconnected, isolated, or like you’re performing in relationships rather than fully showing up as yourself -Want collaborative therapy rather than being told what to do -Desire to reduce guilt, shame, and internalized stigma
Eclectic
One of the important things to know is that ADHD/ASD assessments aren’t “treatment” in the traditional sense, but they do draw from several therapeutic and clinical frameworks to guide how information is gathered, interpreted, and shared. -developmental psychology and lifespan assessment models -evidence-based practice -values-based lens -person-centered therapy -trauma-informed assessment -DSM-based diagnostic reasoning -DBT, CBT, ACT, and skills-based techniques
EMDR
In neurodiversity-affirming work, EMDR can be especially helpful for addressing trauma related to chronic invalidation, masking, bullying, or sensory overwhelm that many neurodivergent adults have experienced. https://www.anagomez.org/
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
In neurodiversity-affirming work, IFS helps clients understand how parts related to masking, perfectionism, overwhelm, or self-criticism developed in response to their environment rather than as personal flaws.
1 rating with written reviews
April 25, 2025
I truly appreciate Sydney's directness and her eagerness to help and listen. She offers advice but balances it with her ability to listen well and tailor her responses to the present need. Overall, I've nothing bad to say, and she's been very helpful.