Online Therapy in Columbus, OH for ADHD, Autism & Complex Trauma
Neurodivergent-affirming online therapy for adults navigating late-diagnosed ADHD or autism, grief, and complicated family relationships.
Sometimes the hardest part of understanding yourself is realizing how much of your life has been shaped by other people's expectations. Maybe you've spent years trying to fit in, putting everyone else's needs ahead of your own, or wondering why things that seem easy for others require so much effort from you.
I'm Dr. Christine Henry, a licensed psychologist offering online therapy to adults in Columbus and throughout Ohio through PSYPACT. I particularly enjoy working with adults who are discovering their ADHD or autism later in life, as well as those exploring how childhood experiences, family relationships, and past trauma continue to affect them today.
My approach is relational and neurodivergent-affirming. Rather than focusing on changing who you are, we'll work on understanding your experiences, recognizing your needs, and finding ways of living that feel more authentic to you.
My work is informed by feminist, anti-racist, and social justice perspectives, with a commitment to LGBTQ+ affirming care. I understand that our experiences are shaped not only by our personal histories and relationships, but also by the cultures, communities, and systems we're part of. I welcome people across a wide range of identities, backgrounds, body sizes, abilities, and beliefs. You deserve a space where your experiences are taken seriously and you don't have to explain away or hide important parts of who you are.
My Therapy Focus Areas for Columbus Adults
Sometimes people come to therapy because something in their lives isn't working the way it used to. Maybe you've reached a point where you're exhausted from managing everyone else's expectations, you're questioning longstanding family dynamics, or you're beginning to recognize that ADHD or autism might explain experiences you've struggled to understand for years.
I particularly enjoy working with adults who are discovering their neurodivergence later in life. For many, this discovery brings a mixture of relief, confusion, grief, and sometimes anger. Understanding yourself differently can also change how you see your childhood, relationships, and the expectations you've carried into adulthood.
My work also includes complex trauma, religious trauma, grief, highly sensitive people, and complicated family relationships. These concerns often intersect with neurodivergence, and we can explore how they fit together rather than treating them as separate issues.
Looking Back at Your Life Through a Different Lens
Discovering you're ADHD or autistic as an adult can bring a new perspective to your childhood and family relationships. You might begin recognizing that behaviors you were criticized for, emotions you were told were too much, or needs that went unnoticed were connected to a neurotype that no one understood at the time.
For some people, this brings relief and a greater sense of self-compassion. For others, it raises difficult questions about why their needs weren't recognized, how they learned to hide parts of themselves, or why they still feel responsible for keeping everyone else happy.
Family expectations can be especially complicated when you've spent years being the responsible one, the peacemaker, or the person who accommodates everyone else. You may be starting to recognize how these patterns have influenced your relationships, boundaries, and sense of identity.
In therapy, we can explore how neurodivergence, childhood experiences, and family dynamics intersect. This might involve processing complex trauma, understanding relationships with emotionally immature parents, navigating family estrangement, or learning to set boundaries without feeling that you're doing something wrong.
The goal isn't necessarily to change your family relationships or decide whether to maintain contact. It's to better understand your experiences, recognize what you need, and make choices that feel right for you.
What Does Therapy With Me Look Like?
Some people come to therapy wanting practical strategies for everyday challenges, while others need space to process experiences they've carried with them for years. Often, it's a combination of both.
My approach is relational, neurodivergent-affirming, and informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic perspectives. That means we'll pay attention not only to what's happening in your life right now, but also to the experiences and relationship patterns that may have shaped how you see yourself and others.
We might explore why setting boundaries feels so uncomfortable, how you've learned to put other people's needs ahead of your own, or what happens when you begin questioning beliefs about yourself that you've held for decades.
There may also be times when we focus on more practical concerns, such as managing overwhelm, recognizing burnout, navigating executive functioning challenges, or finding ways to make your environment work better for your brain.
I see therapy as a collaborative process. I'll offer observations, ask questions, and sometimes challenge you to consider things from a different perspective. But I won't assume I know what's best for you or that there's only one right way to approach a problem.
And sometimes, the most important part of therapy is simply having a place where you don't have to explain, defend, or minimize your experiences.
My Personal and Professional Connection to Ohio
My connection to Ohio began during my training as a psychologist. I earned both my master's degree in Mental Health Counseling and my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Purdue University in neighboring Indiana. I later completed my doctoral internship at Miami University's Student Counseling Service.
While living in Oxford, my husband and I often spent weekends driving to Columbus or Cincinnati when we wanted a change of scenery and a little more to do than the small college town offered. One of my favorite places to visit was Jungle Jim's International Market in Fairfield. I always enjoyed wandering through the aisles, discovering new foods, and exploring the incredible variety of international products from around the world.
My connection to Ohio is also personal. I have extended family in the small town of Attica and have spent time visiting over the years. Although my career eventually brought me back to Houston, I still consider myself a Midwesterner at heart. My years living and working in the Midwest, along with my family connections and experiences growing up overseas, have shaped my appreciation for how family expectations, cultural backgrounds, and early relationships influence our lives. These are themes that often come up in my work with adults who are trying to better understand themselves and their relationships.
Online Therapy From Your Own Space in Columbus
Living in a city like Columbus doesn't mean your therapist has to be located down the street. Online therapy gives you the flexibility to find someone who understands your experiences and approaches therapy in a way that works for you, without being limited to providers in your immediate neighborhood.
Whether you live in Clintonville, German Village, Short North, Dublin, Westerville, or elsewhere in the Columbus area, you can meet with me from a private, comfortable space without having to navigate traffic on I-270 or spend additional time commuting to an appointment.
For neurodivergent adults, online therapy can offer benefits beyond convenience. Being in a familiar environment may make it easier to manage sensory needs, move around or fidget when needed, and avoid the additional energy that can come with traveling to an unfamiliar office.
Our sessions take place through secure video, where we'll talk much like we would in an in-person office. You can bring a blanket, use a fidget, sit however you're comfortable, and take breaks from eye contact when you need to.
And, of course, your pets are welcome! Whether your dog curls up beside you or your cat decides to walk across the keyboard, they don't need to leave the room for therapy.
Getting Started With Online Therapy in Columbus
If you're beginning to explore ADHD or autism later in life, working through complicated family relationships, or trying to make sense of experiences you've carried for years, finding a therapist who understands your perspective can make a difference.
I offer individual online therapy for adults ages 27 and older in Columbus, throughout Ohio, and other participating PSYPACT states. My practice is private pay, and I can provide superbills if you'd like to seek possible out-of-network reimbursement. Appointments are available Tuesday–Thursday, 9 am–2 pm, and Friday, 9 am–1 pm, Central Time.
Not sure whether we'd be a good fit? I offer a free 20-minute video consultation where we can talk about what you're looking for, answer your questions, and get a sense of whether working together feels right.
You don't need a formal ADHD or autism diagnosis, or even to know exactly what you want to work on, before reaching out.
Online Therapy in Columbus, Dayton, Akron, Cleveland Ohio - as well as several other cities. See if I work with clients in your area: therapy locations.