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Isabella Maxwell
About
Welcome! My name is Isabella Stephanie Maxwell, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to introduce myself. I am a licensed clinician based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I am dedicated to helping my clients navigate their life's complexities and discover their inner wisdom. In my practice, I focus on building genuine connections where clients feel valued, respected, and free to explore their authentic selves. Together, we will identify the tools and insights that already exist within you while developing new strategies to meet whatever challenges you are facing. I understand that seeking support requires courage, and I am honored to be part of your therapeutic journey. My approach centers on collaboration, recognizing that you are the expert on your life while I provide guidance, perspective, and evidence-based techniques. Each person has their own story, strengths, and goals to our work together. I am committed to tailoring our sessions to reflect what matters most to you, ensuring that the support you receive feels both meaningful and practical for your daily life.
My dedication to working with autistic adults stems from both professional commitment and deeply personal experience. As the mother of an autistic, gender fluid young adult who is now college-bound, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable strengths and unique challenges that autistic individuals navigate daily. Through years of supporting my child's development, I gained invaluable insight into how neurotypical society often misunderstands or undervalues neurodivergent perspectives and contributions.This personal journey fundamentally shaped my clinical philosophy. I view autism as a neurotype rather than a disorder, recognizing that the primary challenges often arise from societal barriers rather than inherent deficits. While I acknowledge that autism can present difficulties in navigating a world designed for neurotypical functioning, I have observed that individuals thrive when provided with appropriate support and understanding. My approach emphasizes partnership and collaboration. Rather than focusing on compliance or masking behaviors, I work with clients to identify and amplify their existing strengths while developing practical strategies to address specific challenges. This dual perspective as both a mental health professional and a parent within the neurodivergent community allows me to offer support that is both clinically informed and authentically understanding of the lived experience. Through our work, we will build upon your natural capabilities while addressing barriers that may be impacting your daily life, relationships, or personal goals. My commitment extends beyond individual sessions to advocating for greater acceptance and accommodation within broader community systems.
My therapeutic approach begins with the fundamental understanding that autistic individuals possess inherent wisdom about their own experiences and needs. Rather than implementing traditional deficit-focused interventions, I concentrate on identifying and amplifying the distinctive strengths, processing styles, and perspectives that each client brings to therapy. This neurodiversity-affirming foundation recognizes that meaningful change occurs when individuals feel confident in their authentic selves rather than pressured to mask or conform to neurotypical expectations.
