Affirming care for neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ children, teens, and adults seeking clarity, regulation, and support that respects who they are.
You might be questioning whether this is anxiety, autistic burnout, trauma, or something else entirely. You want clarity and support without being rushed, dismissed, or boxed into a diagnosis that doesn’t fit.
Feel anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted and cannot pinpoint why
Wonder if this is anxiety, burnout, trauma, neurodivergence, or something else entirely
Are tired of masking or pushing yourself just to get through the day
Want clear explanations instead of vague reassurance or rushed answers
Have tried therapy or medication before and felt misunderstood or dismissed
Need care that respects your identity, autonomy, and pace
Feel anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted and cannot pinpoint why
Wonder if this is anxiety, burnout, trauma, neurodivergence, or something else entirely
Are tired of masking or pushing yourself just to get through the day
Want clear explanations instead of vague reassurance or rushed answers
Have tried therapy or medication before and felt misunderstood or dismissed
Need care that respects your identity, autonomy, and pace
Therapy and medication support are different tools that can be used on their own or together, depending on your needs. Care here focuses on understanding what you are experiencing first, then choosing the type of support that makes the most sense for you. Medication is never the starting point by default, and therapy is never rushed.
Psychotherapy focuses on understanding patterns, processing experiences, and building skills for emotional regulation and daily life. Sessions move at a pace that respects your nervous system and lived experience.
Medication management involves thoughtful evaluation and shared decision-making around psychiatric medication. Medication is approached as an option, not a requirement, and is adjusted collaboratively based on how it affects your daily life and well-being.
Integrated care combines psychotherapy and medication support when helpful. This approach allows for a more complete understanding of how your mental health, nervous system, and daily functioning interact.
Psychodynamic therapy
Explores how past experiences and relationships shape current patterns and emotional responses.
IFS (Internal Family Systems)
Helps you understand and work with different parts of yourself in a non-judgmental way.
DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy)
Builds practical tools for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and relationship stability.
TF CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
Trauma-informed care that supports processing and integration of overwhelming experiences.
CBT I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia)
Targets sleep disruption through behavioral and cognitive strategies.
ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention)
Structured support for OCD and anxiety-driven patterns that feel stuck or compulsive.
CBT AR (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder [ARFID])
Specialized support for ARFID and restrictive eating patterns.
Children ages 5 and up
Teens navigating identity, stress, and emotional overwhelm
Adults experiencing anxiety, burnout, trauma, or nervous system dysregulation
Neurodivergent individuals seeking affirming and practical support
LGBTQIA plus individuals looking for care that respects identity and autonomy
Care here is grounded in respect, consent, and collaboration. Treatment is shaped around the whole person, not a diagnosis, and decisions are made together with your goals, values, and lived experience in mind.
This approach to care is:
Neuroaffirming
Your brain is not treated as something to “fix.” Differences in thinking, processing, and regulation are understood and respected.
LGBTQIA+ and gender affirming
Identity is honored without question. Care is provided in a way that respects gender, sexuality, and self-expression.
Disability and chronic illness affirming
Physical and mental health conditions are acknowledged without minimizing, blaming, or pushing unrealistic expectations.
Trauma and violence informed
Care recognizes how trauma impacts the nervous system, emotions, and behavior, with an emphasis on safety and pacing.
Survivor centered
You remain in control of your care. Treatment prioritizes choice, autonomy, and trust.
Sex positive
Sexuality is approached without shame or judgment and discussed openly when relevant to your well-being.
Poly, kink, and relationship structure affirming
Non-traditional relationship structures and identities are respected and supported without pathologizing.
Anti-oppressive and decolonizing
Care acknowledges how systems, power, and social context affect mental health, rather than placing blame on individuals.
Health at Every Size (HAES) aligned and anti-diet
Health is not measured by weight. Care does not promote dieting, weight stigma, or body shaming.
Thoughtful deprescribing when appropriate
Medication is regularly reviewed, adjusted, or reduced when it no longer serves your goals or well-being.
Psychotherapy focuses on understanding patterns, processing experiences, and building skills for emotional regulation and daily life. Sessions move at a pace that respects your nervous system and lived experience.
Medication management involves thoughtful evaluation and shared decision-making around psychiatric medication. Medication is approached as an option, not a requirement, and is adjusted collaboratively based on how it affects your daily life and well-being.
Integrated care combines psychotherapy and medication support when helpful. This approach allows for a more complete understanding of how your mental health, nervous system, and daily functioning interact.
Psychodynamic therapy
Explores how past experiences and relationships shape current patterns and emotional responses.
IFS (Internal Family Systems)
Helps you understand and work with different parts of yourself in a non judgmental way.
DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy)
Builds practical tools for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and relationship stability.
TF CBT
Trauma informed care that supports processing and integration of overwhelming experiences.
CBT I (for insomnia)
Targets sleep disruption through behavioral and cognitive strategies.
ERP
Structured support for OCD and anxiety driven patterns that feel stuck or compulsive.
CBT AR
Specialized support for ARFID and restrictive eating patterns.
Children ages 5 and up
Teens navigating identity, stress, and emotional overwhelm
Adults experiencing anxiety, burnout, trauma, or nervous system dysregulation
Neurodivergent individuals seeking affirming and practical support
LGBTQIA plus individuals looking for care that respects identity and autonomy
Care here is grounded in respect, consent, and collaboration. Treatment is shaped around the whole person, not a diagnosis, and decisions are made together with your goals, values, and lived experience in mind.
This approach to care is:
Neuroaffirming
Your brain is not treated as something to “fix.” Differences in thinking, processing, and regulation are understood and respected.
LGBTQIA+ and gender affirming
Identity is honored without question. Care is provided in a way that respects gender, sexuality, and self-expression.
Disability and chronic illness affirming
Physical and mental health conditions are acknowledged without minimizing, blaming, or pushing unrealistic expectations.
Trauma and violence informed
Care recognizes how trauma impacts the nervous system, emotions, and behavior, with an emphasis on safety and pacing.
Survivor centered
You remain in control of your care. Treatment prioritizes choice, autonomy, and trust.
Sex positive
Sexuality is approached without shame or judgment and discussed openly when relevant to your well-being.
Poly, kink, and relationship structure affirming
Non-traditional relationship structures and identities are respected and supported without pathologizing.
Anti-oppressive and decolonizing
Care acknowledges how systems, power, and social context affect mental health, rather than placing blame on individuals.
Health at Every Size (HAES) aligned and anti-diet
Health is not measured by weight. Care does not promote dieting, weight stigma, or body shaming.
Thoughtful deprescribing when appropriate
Medication is regularly reviewed, adjusted, or reduced when it no longer serves your goals or well-being.
Care here focuses on understanding first, then support that fits you, not the other way around.
Improve emotional regulation and reduce chronic overwhelm
Decrease the need to mask in order to function day to day
Support identity exploration without pathologizing or pressure
Build more stable relationships with yourself and others
Increase clarity, self-trust, and confidence in daily decision-making
Make sense of overlapping experiences like anxiety, burnout, trauma, or neurodivergence
Free consultations are available virtually for clients in North Carolina and Virginia. This is a brief, low-pressure conversation to talk through what you’re experiencing, what you’re hoping for, and whether working together feels like a good fit.
You may feel mentally and physically exhausted, shut down, or unable to function the way you used to. Tasks that once felt manageable now feel impossible, and rest does not seem to restore you.
This may show up as racing thoughts, tension in your body, difficulty sleeping, or a sense of being on edge most of the time. Sometimes the anxiety has a clear cause. Other times, it does not.
You may feel emotions very intensely or have trouble coming back to baseline after stress. This can include shutdowns, meltdowns, irritability, or feeling emotionally flooded without knowing why.
You may be questioning who you are beneath expectations, roles, or survival strategies. Masking may feel necessary to get through the day, but deeply exhausting over time.
Past experiences may still live in your body, even if you have talked about them before. You may notice hypervigilance, avoidance, dissociation, or feeling disconnected from yourself or others.
Living in a body that requires ongoing care can impact mood, energy, self-trust, and identity. You may be navigating grief, frustration, or burnout related to accessibility, pain, or limitations.
You may be curious about medication, unsure if it is helping, experiencing side effects, or wanting support reviewing or adjusting what you are currently taking.
If you are experiencing any of these challenges, working with an affirming and compassionate psychiatric provider can make a meaningful difference. Dr. Ward offers virtual therapy and medication support for LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent children, teens, and adults across North Carolina and Virginia.
Book a free 15-minute introductory call to see if this approach feels supportive and aligned for you. There’s no pressure to decide, just space to ask questions and get clarity.
Meriah’s work is grounded in the belief that healing should never require masking, overexplaining, or fitting into someone else’s definition of “normal.” Their care is collaborative, thoughtful, and paced to your needs, not rushed or one-size-fits-all.
As a neurodivergent provider, Meriah brings both clinical expertise and lived understanding to their work. Clients often share that they feel genuinely seen here, not analyzed, minimized, or pushed toward quick fixes that do not fit their reality.
Meriah integrates psychotherapy, psychiatric care, and holistic support to help you build clarity, regulation, and confidence in your daily life. Medication is approached as an option, not a requirement, and decisions are always made together with respect for your autonomy.
A collaborative process that prioritizes understanding, consent, and care that evolves with you over time.
We take time to understand your full story including your history, neurotype, identity, and what has or has not helped before. Care here starts from a place of being truly understood.
Together, we address patterns, trauma, and sources of overwhelm at a pace that respects your mind and body. Therapy and medication work collaboratively only if it aligns with you.
You build tools for regulation and daily functioning so progress lasts beyond sessions. Healing is supported over time, not treated as something to rush through or outgrow.
Yes, all appointments are conducted via secure telehealth.
Standard appointments are 30 to 60 minutes, with time dedicated to your unique needs each visit.
Each 30 minute session is $150. Each 60 minute session is $300. With no additional fees for paperwork, including letters, FMLA paperwork, disability paperwork, etc..
I combine clinical expertise with lived experience to create affirming, low-demand care that honors your authentic self.
Weekly sessions are generally best for making progress and meeting therapy goals. However, session frequency is adjusted based on your needs and availability. While it’s hard to predict the number of sessions needed, we aim to help you achieve results quickly and create lasting change.
If you’re ready to get started, you can use the button below to book an appointment or free consultation online.
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Contact me through the form to answer your questions, book an appointment or to learn more.
