Work with Therin Slayton, PsyD
Neurodivergent & LGBTQIA+ Affirming Online Therapy in Chicago & Throughout Illinois
Supporting ADHD, Autism, Gender Identity Exploration & Neurodivergent Burnout
Howdy! I’m Therin (they/them)
I’m a therapist, providing virtual therapy in Chicago and across Illinois.
If you’re tired of shrinking, masking, or over-explaining just to get through the day, I see you.
I am a genderqueer, neurodivergent, and disabled psychologist who understands that you aren't "broken,” you are simply navigating a world that wasn't built for you.
Many of my clients are used to being told they’re “too much,” “not enough,” or “doing life wrong.”
They’ve spent years adapting, masking, or pushing past their limits just to fit in or get by. Over time, that takes a real toll.
Therapy with me is a safe, affirming space where you don’t have to perform or justify your existence.
Whether you are dealing with autistic burnout, gender dysphoria, or the weight of ableism, you get to show up as your full self, exactly as you are.
Meet Therin
I am a great fit for…
Queer & LGBTQIA2S+ Adults & Young Adults
Especially trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive folks who want a therapist who "gets it" without a 101 explanation.
Neurodivergent Folks (ADHD, Autism, AuDHD)
Navigating burnout, sensory overwhelm, or the journey of self-discovery.
Disabled Adults
Seeking care that understands access needs and actively challenges ableism.
CNM & Polyamory
Individuals and partners navigating ethical non-monogamy.
The Creative & Deep Thinkers
Artists, graduate students, and creatives who feel things deeply.
I specialize in working with “outliers”—people who notice, feel, and think deeply.
Many of my clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, burnout, or the pressure to constantly mask who they are.
Together, we explore how past trauma and chronic stress impact the nervous system so you can move out of survival mode and begin feeling calmer, more grounded, and more like yourself again.
If you’ve been searching for a therapist near you in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois who truly understands this experience, you’re in the right place.
What Therapy Feels Like With Me
Clients describe therapy with me as collaborative and deeply human. We move at a pace that respects your nervous system, your energy, and your lived experience.
No Performing: You won’t be asked to justify your identity or "prove" your neurodivergence.
Trauma-Informed & ND-Affirming: We focus on unlearning harmful societal messages and building a life that actually fits your brain and body.
Collaborative Goals: We might work on untangling self-critical thoughts, building trust in your inner voice, or reconnecting with creativity and rest.
Over time, therapy may help you:
Untangle anxious, self-critical, or spiraling thoughts
Understand how masking, expectations, or past experiences still affect you
Build trust in your own needs, boundaries, and inner voice
Strengthen relationships without losing yourself
Reconnect with creativity, rest, and what brings meaning to your life
How I Support You: Building a Life That Fits You
Instead of forcing you to fit into a world that wasn’t built for you, we work together to create a life that actually honors your nervous system and identity. Here is how I help my clients move out of survival mode:
Paralyzed by Masking & Fatigue: We’ll work on unlearning the pressure to "perform" for others, helping you find a way of existing that doesn’t constantly drain your battery.
Sensory & Executive Overwhelm: We’ll create "low-demand" coping tools and practical strategies that work with your unique brain, not against it.
Gender Identity & Dysphoria: I provide a space for deep exploration, where you never have to justify your existence or provide a "101" explanation.
Feeling "Too Much" or "Not Enough": We’ll reclaim your "outlier" status, turning years of internalized self-criticism into radical self-compassion and pride.
Burnt Out & Disconnected: We’ll remove the blocks of chronic stress so you can reconnect with your creativity, your community, and your need for true rest.
I provide online LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent-affirming therapy in Chicago and throughout Illinois, supporting adults navigating identity exploration, ADHD and autism burnout, trauma, and relationship challenges.
Support for What You’re Carrying
ADHD, Autism, and neurodivergent burnout
Chronic masking and emotional exhaustion
Anxiety, spiraling thoughts, and overwhelm
Gender identity exploration and dysphoria
LGBTQIA2S+ affirming therapy
Sensory overwhelm and executive dysfunction
Trauma and survival-mode coping patterns
Relationship struggles and communication challenges
Disabled and chronically ill identity support
Polyamory, CNM, and nontraditional relationship dynamics
Low self-worth, self-criticism, and shame
Reconnecting with creativity, rest, and self-trust
How I Help
My approach to therapy is trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming, and grounded in compassion.
Rather than forcing you into a specific model, I adapt therapy to you. Together, we’ll gently explore what’s been weighing on you and build tools that support your wellbeing, autonomy, and sense of self.
Our work may include:
Exploring patterns that keep you stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected
Letting go of internalized expectations that no longer serve you
Strengthening emotional regulation and self-trust
Healing through connection, creativity, and community
This work isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about helping you feel more at home in yourself and your life.
Why I Do This Work
I know what it’s like to feel unseen or out of place in a world that expects conformity.
Originally from the Great Plains, I learned early how complicated it can be to exist outside the “straight and narrow.” While I pursued a doctorate in clinical psychology for strong clinical training, the heart of my work has always been empathy, affirmation, and respect for lived experience.
My goal is to create a space where you don’t have to justify your existence — you just get to be.
You deserve care that affirms who you are and supports you in building a life that truly fits.
Education, Training & Supervision
Education
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Clinical Psychology — Adler University
Master of Arts (MA), Clinical Psychology — Adler University
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology — Emporia State University
Clinical Training
Doctoral internship in college counseling supporting university students
Advanced training in trauma-informed, identity-affirming, and culturally responsive therapy
Clinical experience in community mental health settings, including crisis intervention
Experience supporting clients navigating anxiety, trauma, life transitions, ADHD and neurodiversity, and LGBTQIA+ mental health concerns
Licensure Status
Dr. Therin Slayton has completed their doctoral degree in clinical psychology and is currently practicing under clinical supervision while working toward independent licensure in Illinois.
They provide therapy under the supervision of Dr. Aretha Steele, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and founder of Mindful Healing Counseling, in accordance with Illinois professional guidelines.
Dr. Slayton provides online therapy in Chicago and throughout Illinois, offering identity-affirming care for LGBTQIA+ individuals and others navigating anxiety, trauma, relationships, and life transitions.
Common Questions
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Neurodivergent-affirming therapy recognizes that ADHD, autism, and other forms of neurodivergence are not flaws that need to be “fixed.” Instead of forcing you to fit into unrealistic expectations, therapy focuses on understanding how your brain works, reducing shame, supporting your nervous system, and building strategies that actually fit your life.
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Yes. Many neurodivergent adults spend years masking, overextending themselves, or pushing through sensory and emotional overwhelm just to get by. Over time, that can lead to deep exhaustion, shutdown, anxiety, and feeling disconnected from yourself. Therapy can help you better understand your needs, reduce burnout, and create a life that feels more sustainable and supportive.
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Absolutely. I specialize in LGBTQIA2S+ affirming therapy for trans, nonbinary, queer, and gender-expansive individuals. Therapy with me is a space where you do not have to explain or justify your identity. You deserve care that respects who you are and supports you in feeling safe, understood, and fully yourself.
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That’s completely okay. Many people feel anxious about starting therapy, especially if they’ve spent a long time masking, feeling misunderstood, or not feeling emotionally safe with others. We move at your pace, and you do not need to have the “perfect words” before your first session. Therapy can simply begin with showing up as you are.
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Yes. Many of the people I work with struggle with spiraling thoughts, emotional overwhelm, chronic self-criticism, or the feeling that they are “too much” or “not enough.” Therapy can help you untangle those patterns, build self-trust, and develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
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Yes. I work with individuals navigating ethical non-monogamy (ENM), consensual non-monogamy (CNM), and polyamorous relationships. Therapy can provide support around communication, boundaries, identity, relationships, and building connections that feel authentic and aligned with your value.
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Yes. Online therapy can be highly effective for concerns like anxiety, burnout, trauma, identity exploration, and relationship challenges. Many clients also find virtual therapy more accessible and comfortable because they can attend sessions from a comfortable and familiar environment anywhere in Illinois.
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More About Me
When I’m not doing therapy, you’ll probably find me playing video games with my chosen family, falling down rabbit holes on Wikipedia, discovering new music, hanging out with my calico Chex, trying my hand at baking or needle felting, taking a stroll to appreciate nature, or getting lost in a tabletop role-playing game.
Curiosity, creativity, play, and rest matter to me, and I believe they’re essential parts of healing, too.
Affirming Care for Chicago & North-Central Illinois
While I offer virtual therapy throughout the state of Illinois, I am deeply connected to the communities and "creative hubs" of:
Chicago Neighborhoods: Andersonville, Boystown (Northalsted), Rogers Park, Logan Square, and Uptown.
College & Creative Hubs: Evanston, Urbana-Champaign, Oak Park, and DeKalb.
The Great Plains Connection: Drawing from my roots, I am also passionate about providing affirming care to those in more rural parts of Illinois who may lack access to specialized LGBTQ+ and ND providers.
Whether you are looking for an LGBTQ+ therapist in Andersonville or ADHD-affirming support in Champaign, you can access expert, identity-focused care from your own safe space.
Ready to Get Started?
Starting therapy is a courageous step and you don’t have to take it alone.
I offer online therapy for adults across Illinois, and I’d be honored to work with you.
Directly serving the LGBTQ+ and Neurodivergent communities in Chicago and throughout Illinois.