Claire McCulley LCSW

People I work with tend to come in feeling like therapy has never really ‘worked’ for them. They’ve often spent years masking, pushing through burnout, and trying to fit into spaces that weren’t built with them in mind. Many have had negative experiences with past providers who didn’t fully understand them or framed their struggles in a way that felt pathologizing instead of validating. Over time, this can lead to deep confusion about who they really are underneath all the masking, along with struggles in self-esteem, boundary-setting, and self-advocacy. Because of this, I don’t just focus on mental health in a vacuum—I also look at the bigger picture. Your environment, your support system (or lack of one), and the messages you’ve internalized about yourself all play a huge role in how you feel. Therapy with me isn’t about ‘fixing’ you—it’s about helping you understand yourself better, embrace your identity, and build a life that actually works for your brain.

I see the best in clients—their strengths, their potential, and who they are beyond the challenges they’re facing. I don’t see myself as ‘the expert’ just because of my credentials. Therapy with me is a collaborative process, not a hierarchy. I genuinely enjoy getting to know my clients—their interests, their passions, their unique ways of thinking—and I bring that into our work in a way that feels natural and affirming. As an autistic therapist, I’m also deeply observant, which means I pick up on the little things that help build a sense of safety and connection. I adapt to each client’s communication style, humor, and needs while maintaining strong boundaries. I bring a warm, nonjudgmental, and steady presence to therapy—there’s not much that phases me. I’m just really excited to see my clients grow and heal.

I’ve learned is that therapy isn’t about quick fixes—it’s a gradual process, and real change takes time. Success doesn’t always look like (or need to look like) huge breakthroughs; sometimes, it’s the small, steady steps that add up to something meaningful and incredible. I’ve also learned that while clinical techniques and modalities matter, the most important part of the process is the trust and connection we build together. I’m not the one doing the work—you are. You’re the one making changes, showing up for yourself, and putting things into practice in your daily life. Getting to witness that growth is truly an honor.

• New York, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 099529

I have extensive experience supporting autistic and neurodivergent kids, teens, and adults navigate a world that often wasn’t built with them in mind. In my work, I’ve seen firsthand how traditional therapy can fall flat when it doesn’t account for things like masking, burnout, or the frustration of feeling ‘understood’ on paper but not actually supported in real life. My experience working in the child welfare and mental health systems has shaped my approach—one that’s affirming, practical, and actually helpful for autistic and neurodivergent people. Whether it’s unmasking, processing past therapy that didn’t quite fit, or figuring out how to build a life that works with your brain instead of against it, I bring both clinical and lived experience, as well as a deep understanding to the table.