Ben Savelli
Hey, my name is Ben. I'm a later-in-life-diagnosed autistic guy. While I am open to working with adult clients of all brain types, my practice focuses on autism-affirming therapy for autistic individuals. I recognize and validate the challenges and strengths of being wired differently in a society where differences are not always treated with kindness and understanding. My therapeutic approach is primarily person-centered, meaning that I aim to create a warm, nonjudgmental relationship built on empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, trusting my clients to draw on their own capacity for growth and self-direction rather than directing or interpreting for them. I also lean on many other modalities, including but not limited to EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing.
First session
In the first session, my typical process looks like explaining my role as a therapist, my therapeutic style and approach, my expectations of clients, my practice policies, and answering any and all questions you may have. We will then work together on the initial assessment documentation, which helps me better understand your presenting concerns/history and complete the documentation that your health insurer requires. We also collaboratively establish at least 1 goal for therapy. Any remaining time, I generally reserve as space for you to process anything you might be bringing with you into the therapeutic space.
Strengths
While being an autistic therapist offers its own set of unique challenges, I do believe that my autistic traits can sometimes give me an advantage in my work with clients. I am good at recognizing patterns and themes in the therapeutic space and pointing them out to clients when appropriate. I am an active listener, preferring to spend more time listening than talking. I am a lifelong learner, and I'll be the first to admit that I don't know all the answers. Not knowing is an opportunity to learn. My desire is for therapy to be a safe space that adds value to my clients' lives.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is likely autistic, but is not required to be. They may be self-diagnosed, formally diagnosed, or wondering if they have autistic traits. I enjoy working with clients who are able/willing to be introspective and dive deeply into the therapeutic space, exploring thoughts, feelings, behaviors, patterns, etc. I think my ideal client has some level of motivation, is willing to commit to attending regularly scheduled sessions, and has an open mind. Being primarily a person-centered therapist and wanting my clients to lead the direction and pace of the work we do, I think my ideal client is also not expecting a high level of structure from me. My therapeutic approach is not akin to a teacher delivering a lecture or lesson.
Treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
A person-centered therapist works alongside you rather than telling you what’s wrong or what to do. In sessions, they listen closely, ask curious questions, and reflect back what they hear so you can understand your own thoughts and feelings more clearly. They don’t judge you or push an agenda. Instead, you set the direction, choosing what to talk about and how fast to go. The idea is that when you feel truly heard and accepted, it becomes easier to be honest with yourself, make sense of what you’re going through, and move toward the changes that matter to you. Your therapist brings training, warmth, and honesty, but you remain the expert on your own life
Motivational Interviewing
A Motivational Interviewing therapist helps you explore your own reasons for change, rather than pushing or persuading you to do something. In sessions, they ask open-ended questions, listen closely, and reflect back what they hear, paying special attention to the parts of you that want things to be different. Many people feel two ways about change, wanting it and also feeling unsure, and the therapist treats that mixed feeling as normal instead of something to argue away. They won’t lecture, pressure, or tell you what you “should” do. Instead, they help you connect change to what matters most to you, build confidence in your ability to do it, and decide on your own next steps. The goal is for the motivation to come from you, because change tends to last when it’s your own idea.
Psychodynamic
A psychodynamic therapist helps you understand the deeper patterns behind how you think, feel, and relate to others, many of which began in earlier life experiences and operate outside your awareness. In sessions, you’re encouraged to talk openly about whatever comes to mind, including feelings, memories, dreams, and relationships. The therapist listens for themes that repeat over time, such as how you handle conflict, closeness, or self-criticism, and gently points them out so you can see them more clearly. They also pay attention to how those patterns show up in the therapy relationship itself, since it can offer a real-time window into how you connect with others. The work tends to be exploratory and gradual rather than a quick fix. The idea is that once you understand why you react the way you do, you have more freedom to respond differently and make choices that feel truer to you.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
A Cognitive Behavioral therapist helps you notice how your thoughts, feelings, and actions influence one another, and then gives you practical tools to change the patterns that aren’t serving you. In sessions, you and the therapist work together to set clear goals and identify the thoughts that fuel stress, anxiety, or low mood, such as “I always mess things up.” You learn to test whether those thoughts are accurate and to replace them with more balanced ones. You also try out new behaviors, like facing something you’ve been avoiding in small steps, and practice skills between sessions through exercises or “homework.” The approach is structured, hands-on, and usually focused on the present rather than the past. The goal is for you to leave with skills you can keep using on your own, long after therapy ends.
EMDR
An EMDR therapist helps you process distressing or traumatic memories so they feel less overwhelming. The work begins with getting to know you and building coping skills so you feel prepared and safe. Then, while you briefly focus on a difficult memory, the therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation, usually side-to-side eye movements, but sometimes taps or sounds. You don’t have to describe the event in detail, and you stay in control throughout, with pauses and check-ins as needed. The idea is that this process helps the brain “file away” the memory in a healthier way, so it still feels like something that happened but no longer feels as though it’s happening now. Over time, many people notice the memory carries less emotional charge and that the beliefs attached to it, like “I’m not safe” or “it was my fault,” start to shift.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Serves
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 140922