About

Hi, I’m Avery Neal (they/them).

I’m a neurodivergent, nonbinary licensed independent social worker offering in person therapy for adults in Cincinnati, Ohio, with telehealth available for anyone in Ohio or Colorado who prefers to meet online. I work with adults who feel unseen or weary from always having to edit themselves, often queer, neurodivergent, BIPOC, or carrying the long shadow of systemic and personal trauma.

My practice offers space to explore identity, belonging, and liberation through an anti-oppressive and trauma-informed lens developed with real care.

My Approach

I blend deep compassion with practical strategies to help you move from survival toward wholeness. My approach is eclectic and EMDR-informed, shaped by curiosity, collaboration, and care.

Therapy with me is not about quick fixes or surface solutions. It is intentional, steady work focused on emotional sustainability and creating change that lasts. Together we clarify what matters most to you, strengthen your boundaries, and release what no longer fits. I help clients process trauma, reconnect with their bodies, and live more fully as their authentic selves in a world that rarely makes that easy.

My Background and Neurodivergence Experience

I have been connected to neurodivergent and disabled communities for most of my life. I began volunteering in this work at 17 years old and spent six years as a neurodiversity affirming special education teacher focused on accessible and equitable education for every student. I also worked within the developmental disabilities service system, gaining firsthand experience with the supports, barriers, and advocacy needs that many clients face.

This work has been a meaningful part of my life for a long time and continues to guide how I practice. It shapes the way I understand people, systems, and the kind of care that promotes real dignity. Neurodivergent affirming practice is not a trend to me. My therapeutic style is grounded in long-term experience, real relationships, and a commitment to honoring each person’s way of moving through the world.

I earned my Master of Arts in Social Work from Miami University and continue to grow through advanced training in trauma, EMDR, Autism, gender-affirming care, and anti-oppressive practice.

Outside the Therapy Room

When I am not in session, I enjoy stand-up comedy, birdwatching, and spending time with my two dogs and cat. I also love collecting and making zines and I am reconnecting with my creative side in ways that feel playful and grounding. I am a proud graduate of Drawing for the Extreme Beginner.

I am involved in both advocacy and professional education. I present a training through my professional organization and participate in community advocacy through testimony to lawmakers, attending school board meetings, and writing letters that speak to the realities of those most impacted by policy decisions. Staying engaged in these spaces keeps me connected to the larger systems shaping our lives and reinforces the purpose behind my therapeutic work.