Ask an AuDHD Therapist
Consider this your chance to ask the questions you’d otherwise be Googling at midnight — cost, approach, confidentiality, all of it.
Locations & Logistics
How can I schedule a consultation? Is it free?
Yes. I offer free, 20-minute consultations to see if we might be a good match.
You can find my updated availability and book using the link below.
Do you offer telehealth / teletherapy?
Yes. I see clients in person in Nacogdoches, Texas. I also offer teletherapy visits for clients across Texas using a secure platform. That covers the rest of East Texas too — Lufkin, Tyler, Longview, and everywhere in between — not just Nacogdoches and Stephen F. Austin State University down the street.
I believe teletherapy can be helpful, but it isn’t right in every situation, particularly with younger clients. I’m happy to schedule a consultation via teletherapy. After learning more about you and your goals, I can evaluate whether teletherapy might be appropriate for a younger child.
What are your fees? What payment options exist?
Human Differently operates as a cash pay practice and does not bill insurance. This approach allows for greater flexibility, enhanced privacy, and care that is tailored to your individual needs.
Standard Session Rate: $125 per 50-minute session
Sliding Scale: A limited number of reduced-fee appointments are available based on financial need. If cost is a concern, please ask about current availability when you reach out.
College Student Rate: A limited number of reduced-rate appointments are reserved specifically for college students. These spots are limited and offered based on availability.
Health Savings Accounts (HSA / FSA): I accept cards from these accounts.
Superbills: I can provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurer for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
If you have questions about fees or whether therapy is the right fit, we are happy to discuss your options during your free consultation session.
What are your hours? How do I get in touch?
Business Hours
Monday-Friday 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Contact Info
(936) 358-9348
Crystalena@humandifferently.com
Address
2400 Stallings Dr N,
Ste 408,
Nacogdoches, Texas 75964
What does a first session actually look like?
The free 20-minute consultation is just a conversation — minimal paperwork, no assessment. If we decide to move forward, your first real session (the intake) is where we go deeper: what’s brought you in, your history, and what you want out of this. But for the first session, just see if this might fit.
What does it mean to be "supervised" by an LPC-S?
As an LPC-Associate, Texas requires me to practice under the supervision of a fully licensed LPC-Supervisor — that’s Lauren Hawkins, LPC-S. In practice, that means I consult with her regularly on cases, but she is not in the room or reviewing your file line by line.
Do you provide autism or ADHD evaluations, or diagnose?
No — I provide therapy, not formal diagnostic evaluations. If you’re looking for a diagnosis, I can point you toward evaluators in the area. I’m happy to work with you either way, diagnosed or not, formally assessed or self-identified.
My Neuro-Affirming Approach
Do you use ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) or other compliance-based approaches?
No. My approach is strengths-based rather than compliance-based. I’m not trying to train your child (or you) into behaving more “normal.” We work with the way your brain is wired, not against it.
I believe there are situations where ABA is appropriate, especially around safety risks such as elopement. I also believe ABA removes coping mechanisms without offering alternatives or addressing the underlying causes of the distress.
What does 'neuro-affirming' look like, day to day?
Most general therapists are trained to treat autistic and ADHD traits as things to reduce or manage. The goal of these approaches can be to reduce discomfort felt by others, particularly neurotypicals.
I start by listening to the goals a neurodiverse person has about their own life. We build counseling goals collaboratively and tailored to your values, needs, and pace.
From there, we use practical tools, including DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skills, to build emotional resilience, strengthen relationships, and address underlying issues like anxiety that affect functioning.
Do you work with twice-exceptional (2e) or gifted kids?
Yes! My personal experiences with these programs and my background as a public school teacher both inform how I work with 2e students.
Do you have experience with pathological demand avoidance (PDA)?
Yes. I believe this can be a helpful lens to view behavior. I’m listed in PDA North America’s PDA-Affirming Practitioner Directory.
For Adults & College Student Clients
I'm figuring this out on my own. Do I need anyone else involved?
Unless you want someone else looped in, what we talk about is between us. No parent, partner, or roommate gets a report.
We discuss confidentiality in full during an intake meeting, our first session after a consultation.
Does this fit around a class schedule / work schedule?
That’s most of my college caseload, so yes — sessions happen by telehealth or in person around whatever your schedule looks like this semester, at the $30 student rate.
Parents & Partners
Will you tell me what my child says in session?
Therapy works because the client trusts the room. For a child or teenager, that means knowing they can speak honestly without worrying that everything they say will be repeated to a parent. When a young person believes their conversations with me are private — within reasonable, safety-protective limits — they are far more likely to talk about what is weighing on them, which is exactly what I need in order to help them.
This does not mean cutting parents out. I will treat you as a partner in the process, keeping you updated on the general progress, themes, and next steps. I will always communicate with you about safety issues.
We discuss confidentiality in full during an intake meeting, our first session after a consultation.
Will you meet with me too, or my child individually?
How we approach treatment is based on our goals and the unique people involved. With some clients, I meet with parent(s) and child each week. With others, parents might be present every few weeks or I might only meet with a child.
You are essential to your child’s well-being. Even if you are not present for sessions, I will provide periodic updates on your child’s progress, themes we are working on, and recommendations.
Do you work with couples raising a neurodivergent child together?
Yes. While I’m not a specialist in couples counseling, I do work with couples where a major source of strain is raising a neurodivergent child. This can include parent coaching on strategies, facilitated conversations and decision-making, and psychoeducation on the unique challenges of neurodivergent children.
Can I bring my spouse / partner / friend to a session?
Sometimes having another adult join a session helps. This person might be there to support a conversation, share information, or collaborate.
Before this happens, I need to inform you about specific effects on your privacy and other rights that occur when a non-client joins a session. There is a specific form that describes these effects that must be signed by both the client and the other adult prior to the session.
Moving Forward Together
You do not have to figure everything out before reaching out. If something here feels like it could support you, we can start with a simple conversation and take it from there.