Understanding and Affirming Autistic Clients: A Primer for Mental Health Professionals

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Chris Dabbs Audrey Scaer

Understanding and Affirming Autistic Clients

A Primer for Mental Health Professionals

Chris Dabbs, Audrey Scaer, Maggie Savage

$150

Hardback

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English

Bloomsbury Academic
11 December 2025

Clinical psychology; Psychotherapy

This book is an accessible primer focused on the provision of neuro-affirming clinical care for autistic clients, written from the perspective of autistic clinicians. In eight chapters, this book provides actionable steps without the assumption of expert autism knowledge. It first builds foundational knowledge for understanding what autism is and how to talk about it using current language practices. This book then explains how to recognize and assess for autism, alongside overviewing co-occurring mental health concerns among this population. This book also includes strategies for effective communication and interventions with autistic individuals, supporting autistic individuals day-to-day, and maintaining ethical clinical practices. Broadening beyond individual clients, this book additionally outlines strategies for supporting families and caregivers of autistic individuals, with an emphasis on the importance of understanding the impact that autism may have on family dynamics. This book is the answer for clinicians asking themselves how they can better serve their autistic clients.

By: Chris Dabbs, Audrey Scaer
Contributions by: Maggie Savage
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9798881806798
Pages: 160
Publication Date: 11 December 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Chris Dabbs, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Valparaiso University and is a licensed psychologist and licensed mental health counselor, who is open about his own identity as an autistic clinician. In his research, Dr. Dabbs primarily focuses on ways in which social bias and stigma impact mental wellness, employment, and life satisfaction in religious minorities and people broadly described as neurodivergent. His research has been published in academic journals, collected volumes, and he has provided clinical training and presentations to national and local audiences. You can stay up-to-date with his current endeavors at chrisdabbs.com or find him on social media @dabbspsych. Audrey Scaer, PhD, is autistic and a staff psychologist at Eastern Michigan University’s counseling center, with a particular focus on working with college students exploring autistic identity, LGBTQ+ identity, or processing experiences of identity-based trauma. Dr. Scaer attended graduate school in Oklahoma. Outside of clinical work, Dr. Scaer collaborates with Chris on research focused on autistic wellbeing. Contribution by Maggie Savage