Meet Crystalena, an AuDHD therapist

I know what it feels like to spend years trying to make yourself fit into systems, expectations, and versions of success that were never designed with your brain in mind. That experience is not just part of my personal story. It is also what shaped the way I approach therapy and support today.

I hold a PhD in Human Development from the University of Tennessee and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lamar University. I am a Texas LPC-Associate (supervised by Lauren Hawkins, LPC-S).

Before becoming a therapist, I spent 15 years as a middle school teacher working closely with autistic students and supporting both their academic and social development.

Alongside my professional background, I am also AuDHD myself. That lived experience deeply informs the work I do. I understand firsthand the exhaustion of masking, the confusion that can come with feeling different, and the relief that comes from finally understanding yourself through a neurodivergent lens.

My approach is neuro-affirming, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that you are not broken. Therapy here is not about forcing compliance or teaching you to appear “less autistic” or “more functional.” It is about helping you better understand your brain, support your needs, and build a life that actually fits you.

Whether I’m working with teens, adults, or parents, my goal is to help people move from survival mode into something more sustainable, connected, and authentic.

Where This Shows Up Elsewhere

Here’s a sample of the research and speaking that I have co-authored recently:

“Neuroaffirming approaches to counseling neurodiverse adolescents,” American Counseling Association annual conference (2026)
“Neuroaffirming approaches to crisis intervention,” American Counseling Association annual conference (2026)
“What an autistic professional wishes you knew about transition to adulthood,” Texas Transitions Conference (2026)
“Addressing gaps in care through the extension for community health outcomes,” International Society for Autism Research, Stockholm, Sweden (2023)
“Changes through ECHO,” METAECHO national conference (2023, panelist)
“A Pediatrician’s Practical Guide for Navigating Transition to Adulthood with Autistic Youth and Their Caregivers”, Pediatric Clinics of North America (2024)

I also co-chair the Neuroaffirming Humanistic Counseling Approaches interest network for the Association for Humanistic Counseling.

If you’d rather hear this in person than read it, I speak to schools and organizations too.

Two people in a conversation with AuDHD therapist

Person sitting on a couch, thoughtful, with ADHD therapist.

Autism therapist writing while another gestures

Our Vision

We envision a world where autistic individuals are supported to thrive as themselves, not taught to mask who they are. Rooted in both lived experience and professional expertise, our work centers authenticity, wellbeing, and sustainable growth over appearance or conformity.

“You're not broken. you just human differently.”

Crystalena Oberweiser

About Human Differently

Human Differently was created to provide neurodivergent individuals with support that feels understanding, affirming, and genuinely helpful. Founded by Crystalena, the practice blends lived experience with professional training to support autistic and ADHD teens, adults, and the families of those who are navigating burnout, masking, overwhelm, identity, and everyday life challenges.

Because Crystalena is autistic herself, she understands these experiences not only from education and clinical work, but from lived reality. Human Differently was built on the belief that support should help people better understand themselves, honor their needs, and build lives that feel sustainable, meaningful, and authentic, not pressure them to appear more neurotypical.

No More Forcing It

You don’t have to force yourself into a version of life that doesn’t fit. Together, we can work toward creating something that does work in a way that respects your needs, your capacity, and who you actually are.