You don’t have to keep shrinking to function.
Affirming psychotherapy for queer and neurodivergent adults- and those beginning to question.
A space to explore masking, burnout, trauma adaptations, OCD patterns, and identity shifts with clarity and compassion.
If this sounds familiar…
You might be feeling:
Exhausted from masking or constantly adapting.
Unsure about whether your anxiety is “just anxiety.”
Overwhelmed in relationships but unsure why.
High-functioning on the outside, burnt out underneath.
Curious about autism, ADHD, or OCD patterns - but not ready to label it.
What masking actually is.
Masking often looks like performing in ways that don’t feel natural- consciously or subconsciously adapting to environments that don’t adapt to you.
It can be protective. It can be strategic. It can help us feel included.
And over time, it can be exhausting.
My Approach
My approach is identity-affirming, trauma-informed, and collaborative. I work with adults to untangle patterns shaped by chronic stress, masking, trauma adaptations, and nervous system overwhelm- without pathologizing who they are.
Therapy can be a place to build clarity, self-trust, and sustainable ways of functioning.
My Professional Values
LGBTQIA+ affirming
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Neurodivergent affirming
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Sex positive
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Gender-identity affirming
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Multiculturally sensitive
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Anti-oppressive
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Non-judgmental
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Unconditional empathy
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Body positive
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LGBTQIA+ affirming * Neurodivergent affirming * Sex positive * Gender-identity affirming * Multiculturally sensitive * Anti-oppressive * Non-judgmental * Unconditional empathy * Body positive *
Areas of Focus
I provide individual psychotherapy for adults navigating identity, disability, trauma, and life transitions. My work is especially attuned to masking, burnout, OCD patterns, and the layered experiences of queer and neurodivergent adults.
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Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, high-masking presentations, executive functioning challenges (e.g., time management), burnout, disordered eating, sensory overwhelm, mood fluctuations, late identification.
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Intrusive thoughts, compulsions, rumination, perfectionism, body dysmorphia, existential anxiety, anticipatory anxiety/dread, overlap with trauma or neurodivergence.
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Nervous system dysregulation, attachment wounds, relational trauma, identity disruption.
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Grief, adaptation, medical trauma, energy pacing, accessibility planning, advocacy for accommodations.
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Gender exploration, transition support, dysphoria, minority stress, coming out, ethical non-monogamy, kink-affirming care, community-building, letters of support for gender-affirming surgery.
Therapeutic Modalities
I don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach to therapy. I tailor treatment for each and every client to meet their unique needs, preferences, and strengths.
My work has integrated:
-Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
-Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
-Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
-Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
-Compassion-focused therapy
-Neurodivergent-affirming therapy: e.g., burnout recovery planning, reducing internalized ableism and shame, sensory regulation and overload prevention, energy budgeting, executive functioning coaching, psychoeducation, social skills training, strengths-based support, and advocacy for accommodations.
-Multicultural counseling: e.g., navigating minority stress, intersectionality, acculturation, oppression, non-immigrant work, immigration, cultural values, systemic challenges, generational differences/trauma, and managing mental health stigma.
-Gender/sex-affirming therapy
-LGBTQIA+-affirming therapy
-Racial trauma treatment
-Anti-oppressive therapy
-All forms of coaching: life, dating, executive functioning, vocational, career, daily living skills, social skills, accountability, academic
-Strengths-based therapy and positive psychology
-Trauma-informed care
-Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
-Solution-focused therapy and motivational interviewing
-Experiential therapy
-Attachment-based therapy
-Couples counseling
-Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)
-Feminist therapy
-Grief therapy
-Mindfulness-based therapy
-Psychoeducation
-Relational therapy
-Sex therapy
-Psychodynamic/psychoanalytic therapy
Meet the Founder
Jennifer Durso, LMHC
I work with adults navigating disability in all its forms- visible and invisible. There is something deeply powerful about being supported by a therapist who genuinely understands the layered realities of living in a body or mind that requires adaptation and is often misunderstood.
For full transparency, I have been managing Crohn’s disease (chronic stomach inflammation) for over 13 years and proudly identify as both a disabled and neurodivergent professional. These identities have brought complex grief and trauma- but also profound strength, resilience, and bravery.
My journey to understanding my neurodivergence began in a very millennial way- scrolling TikTok and relating to every AuDHD video that appeared on my feed. Having grown up before neurodivergence was widely understood or discussed, I had no framework for what these diagnoses meant for me. During my doctoral training (I was originally on the path to becoming a school psychologist), I immersed myself in learning how neurodivergence impacts executive functioning, relationships, learning, and daily living. What I learned- both personally and professionally- is that knowledge reduces shame. Understanding what is happening in your brain and nervous system can transform confusion into clarity.
For over four years in private practice, much of my work has been with neurodivergent adults. I care deeply about equipping clients with insight and language- not to “fix” or pathologize them, but to build self-trust and self-understanding. My passion project is to develop a more updated autism assessment that better encapsulates our lived experiences, covers all areas of functioning in detail, and highlights more of our incredible strengths and superpowers. This education is a major part of what I offer to my clients now and it has been life-changing for them.
I also proudly identify as queer and have had the honor of supporting adults in the LGBTQIA+ community with a wide range of identities and lived experiences. Above all, my work is rooted in the belief that you are not broken- and you do not need to shrink in order to function. Therapy can be a place where your nervous system softens, your identity expands, and your strengths are cultivated with intention and respect.
Some fun facts about Jenny: NYU alumni; lover of travel; cat mommy to two best friends (Bowman and Makaroni); passionate about photography; bodybuilder for over 8 years; proud member of Autistic Adults New York City
Practice Details
Free Consult
I offer a free 20-minute consultation to determine fit and answer initial questions.
Location
I provide fully remote psychotherapy to adults located in New York.
Fees
My standard fee is $130 per session. Payment is due at the time of service.
Insurance
I accept several major insurance plans through a billing partner platform (Headway):
A limited number of sliding scale spots are available at $100-125 per session based on financial need. Please inquire for current availability.
Sliding Scale
If I am not in-network with your insurance plan, I am happy to provide a superbill for potential reimbursement. Superbills are common in private practice and are not hard to submit.
Out-Of-Network
Individual sessions are 50 minutes. Clients often start off with weekly sessions, but we can discuss session frequency together.
Session Length
Your Questions, Answered
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No. Many of the people I work with are questioning autism, ADHD, OCD, or other patterns and are not seeking (or are unsure about) a formal diagnosis. Therapy can be a space to explore your experiences without rushing labels.
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That uncertainty is often exactly where we begin. We can slow down and look at patterns together- including how anxiety, sensory overwhelm, trauma responses, or neurodivergent traits may overlap.
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The first session is structured but conversational. We’ll talk about what brings you in, your history, and what you’re hoping to shift. There’s no pressure to explain everything perfectly- we build clarity over time.
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Fit matters. A consultation allows us to get a sense of whether my approach feels aligned with what you’re looking for. If it doesn’t, I’m happy to offer referrals.
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I provide telehealth therapy to adults located anywhere in the five boroughs and New York State.
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Many clients I work with have had therapy that felt too surface-level, too rigid, or not affirming enough. My work is collaborative and nuanced- we focus on understanding patterns, not just symptom management.
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No. Therapy moves at a pace that respects your nervous system. Growth does not require overwhelm.
Get in Touch
If this resonates, you’re welcome to reach out. I offer a free 20-minute consultation to determine fit and answer initial questions.
You can fill out this form or contact me directly.
For protection of your personal information- please do not include detailed medical or mental health information on the contact form. After initial contact, I will provide a secure client portal for further communication.
I look forward to connecting!
Email: jennifer.durso.mhc@gmail.com
Phone: (413) 407-0123
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jennifer-durso1217