Neurodivergent Therapy Upper East Side NYC

Living with CPTSD and Neurodivergence Can Feel Like an Emotional Maze

You might find yourself overthinking every interaction. Or shutting down mid-conversation. Maybe you’re exhausted from masking—playing a role to appear “fine” when inside, everything feels too loud, too much, or just off.You might have heard phrases like “emotionally dysregulated” or “too sensitive,” when what was really happening was your nervous system doing its best to protect you.If you’re navigating the combined weight of complex trauma and neurodivergence, therapy can help you unlearn survival patterns, process your past, and reconnect with the parts of yourself that never had room to be.

What Is CPTSD? And What Does It Have to Do With Neurodivergence?

CPTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) typically stems from prolonged exposure to trauma, often relational, subtle, or chronic rather than tied to a single event. This could include:

Childhood emotional neglect or abuse
Parentification or early caregiving roles
Identity-based trauma (racism, queerphobia, ableism)
Medical trauma
School-related trauma or bullying
Feeling chronically misunderstood or unsafe in relationships
Physical neglect
Physical abuse
Covert incest
Sexual abuse

What Is CPTSD? And What Does It Have to Do With Neurodivergence?

Laura's Therapeutic Approach

Laura Pearl, LCSW, specializes in supporting adults whose histories and neurotypes don't fit into neat diagnostic boxes. Her work is grounded in:

1

Somatic Therapy

Gently guiding you back into your body—learning how to notice, name, and regulate sensations without getting overwhelmed.

2

EMDR for Complex Trauma

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps reprocess memories and internalized beliefs so you can move beyond past survival strategies.

3

Relational Therapy

At the core of healing complex trauma is the experience of being felt. Laura builds safety slowly and relationally, honoring your pace and boundaries.

4

Neurodivergent-Affirming Care

Laura won't pathologize your wiring. She offers tools, not corrections—whether that means stimming in session, using visual aids, or embracing nonlinear communication.

5

Parts Work & Identity-Informed Therapy

Especially helpful for those navigating dissociation, perfectionism, or shame rooted in cultural or family systems.

Signs You Might Benefit from CPTSD & Neurodivergence-Informed Therapy

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to begin. Many of Laura’s clients come in simply knowing that things feel off. Signs may include:

Difficulty trusting others or feeling emotionally safe
Executive dysfunction and emotional overwhelm
Burnout from masking or trying to “pass” as neurotypical or “normal”
People-pleasing, perfectionism, or chronic self-doubt
Emotional flashbacks or looping thoughts with no clear trigger
Feeling “too much” or “not enough”—sometimes at the same time
A sense that therapy has helped before, but hasn’t gone deep enough

Why Choose Laura Pearl as Your Therapist?

Laura is more than a licensed trauma therapist. she’s also a queer, neurodivergent practitioner herself. She knows what it’s like to feel misread in clinical spaces and offers a different kind of experience:No performance. No rushing. No “just try harder” energy.With a PhD in cultural anthropology and extensive training in somatic and trauma-informed modalities, Laura brings both head and heart to the room. Her practice is a space where you can bring your stim toys, your scripts, your contradictions—and be met with curiosity, not correction.

In-Person & Virtual Therapy in NYC

Laura offers weekly therapy for adults seeking support with CPTSD and neurodivergence in New York City. Her office is located in the Upper East Side, on the border of Carnegie Hill and Yorkville, and intentionally designed to feel calming and sensory-considerate.Virtual sessions are also available for residents across New York State.

Begin Your Therapy Journey

Whether you're new to therapy or returning with a deeper intention, you deserve a space that honors your story and supports your healing without judgment or urgency.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation. No pressure, no commitment. Just a conversation to begin.

Commonly Asked Questions

Do I need a formal autism or ADHD diagnosis to work with you?

No. Laura welcomes both formally diagnosed and self-identified neurodivergent clients. You know your experience best.

I’ve done talk therapy before but still feel stuck—can this help?

Yes. Laura’s approach goes beyond traditional talk therapy by engaging the body, memory, and relational patterns. Many clients come after “outgrowing” cognitive-based models.

I struggle to stay present in therapy or get overwhelmed easily—can sessions be adjusted?

Absolutely. Sessions are paced collaboratively, with room for regulation breaks, movement, or silence when needed.

CPTSD and Neurodivergence-Affirming Therapy in NYC