SCIENCEWORKS
BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
Complete Care for all Neurotypes
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Neurodivergent Support Groups and Skills Groups in Tennessee
You do not have to figure out how to be a neurodivergent human in a neurotypical world by yourself. At ScienceWorks Behavioral Health, we offer small, online neurodivergent support and skills groups for adults and teens across Tennessee, so you can build community and practical tools in a space that actually understands your brain. Learn how neurodivergent support groups work ->
You might be a good fit for neurodivergent support groups if:
You feel lonely, out of step, or "too much" around other people, even online.
You are masking hard at school, work, or home and feel on the edge of burnout.
You want concrete skills for ADHD, autism, OCD, or executive function challenges, but past groups or classes felt shaming or confusing.
You want to hear "me too" from other neurodivergent folks in Tennessee, not advice to just try harder or be more disciplined.
Top Statistics Related to Neurodivergence and Mental Health Support
Stat 1: VUMC reports that in 2022, over 3% of children in Tennessee (1 in 29; 3.4%) had autism (2022). Source: VUMC: Autism Rates in Tennessee (2025)
Stat 2: CDC estimates that 7 million U.S. children (11.4%) aged 3-17 have ever been diagnosed with ADHD based on 2022 data (2022). Source: CDC: ADHD Data (2024)
Stat 3: In 2022, 77.9% of children with current ADHD had at least one co-occurring disorder (national survey estimate) (2022). Source: Danielson 2024 (PubMed)
Stat 4: A population study of autistic adults found depression prevalence of 25.90% and anxiety prevalence of 22.40% (2022). Source: Underwood 2022 (PMC)
Stat 5: A meta-analysis found 39.6% of young people with ASD had at least one comorbid DSM-IV anxiety disorder (2011). Source: van Steensel 2011 (PubMed)
Stat 6: In Tennessee, 937,000 adults have a mental condition (2021). Source: TN Dept. of Health: Mental Well-Being
When Neurodivergent Support Groups Can Help
People in Tennessee often reach out for groups when one-on-one therapy is helpful, but not enough on its own. Maybe you are craving community, needing structure to practice new skills, or feeling worn down by doing life as a neurodivergent person in mostly neurotypical spaces. Groups can offer both connection and science-backed tools in a format that feels less lonely.
Neurodivergent support groups may be helpful if you are experiencing:
ADHD, autism, or OCD alongside executive function challenges that make everyday tasks feel like climbing a mountain.
Social anxiety or past bullying that makes it hard to trust new people, even though you want connection.
Chronic burnout from years of masking, people-pleasing, or trying to "keep up" with school, work, or parenting.
Feeling like the only neurodivergent person in your family, friend group, workplace, or community in Tennessee.
Knowing a lot about neurodiversity from podcasts and TikTok, but struggling to turn that knowledge into day-to-day change.
Wanting a structured space to practice new skills with people who will not judge your pace, communication style, or camera settings.
You are not broken, lazy, or too sensitive. Your nervous system has been working overtime in a world that was not built for it; our job is to give you tools, language, and community that fit how your brain actually works.
How Neurodivergent Support Groups Work at ScienceWorks
Our groups blend group therapy, psychoeducational groups, skills training, and peer support into a structured, time-limited experience. Each group meets online via secure telehealth, so neurodivergent adults and teens across Tennessee can join from home, work, or school while still accessing thoughtful, evidence-based care.
What Groups and Skills Sessions Look Like
1. Thoughtful Matching and Group Selection
You complete a brief intake or contact form and let us know that you are interested in neurodivergent support groups. Our team reviews your goals, access needs, diagnosis history (or self-identification), and schedule, then recommends the best-fit group or waitlist from our current offerings. When helpful, we may also talk with you about related services like specialized therapy or executive function coaching.2. Early Sessions: Safety, Access Needs, and Shared Language
The first meetings focus on getting oriented, building safety, and naming what it means to be neurodivergent in real life. We talk openly about access needs, camera use, chat-only participation, stimming, and sensory supports so you can show up as you are. We also introduce key ideas about ADHD, autism, OCD, executive function, social anxiety, and burnout that will anchor the rest of the group.3. Weekly Skill Building and Practice
Each week, your facilitator offers a short, digestible teaching segment based in group therapy, psychoeducation, and skills training, followed by guided discussion and real-life application. Topics might include task initiation and follow-through, self-advocacy scripts, sensory-aware coping tools, values-based decision making, and OCD- or anxiety-informed strategies that respect your nervous system rather than fighting it.4. Closing, Reflection, and Next Steps
Because groups have clear start and end dates, we build in time near the end to reflect on what you are taking with you, celebrate growth, and identify next steps. Some people continue in individual therapy, join another group, or deepen work through psychological assessment or other services at ScienceWorks. Our goal is that you leave with both skills and a sense that you are no longer alone in this.
We move at the pace of your nervous system, not at the pace of a workbook. Cameras on or off are both okay, fidgets and stimming are welcome, and you never have to share more than feels safe. We collaborate on goals and homework so that any practice you do between sessions is realistic for your energy, executive function, and life in Tennessee.
Who We Help in Tennessee and Across the State
Our neurodivergent support groups are designed for neurodivergent adults and teens seeking community, skills, and support, and are provided via secure telehealth to people physically located in Tennessee. Many participants live with ADHD, autism, OCD, executive function challenges, social anxiety, or burnout, and want a space that treats those realities as valid starting points, not personal failures.
Autistic and ADHD adults navigating work, school, parenting, or big life transitions.
Teens who are exploring or integrating a new diagnosis (or self-identified neurodivergence) and need a space that is not about "fixing" them.
Late-identified neurodivergent folks unpacking years of masking, misdiagnosis, or being told they are too intense or too sensitive.
People managing OCD, anxiety, trauma, or chronic stress alongside ADHD or autism, who want tools that account for all of those layers.
Adults who are caregivers, parents, or partners while also managing their own executive function challenges and burnout.
People who live in smaller Tennessee communities or rural areas and have not yet found neurodivergent-affirming providers nearby.
Licensure & telehealth note: ScienceWorks clinicians are licensed in Tennessee, and groups are offered online through secure telehealth. Group members must be physically located in Tennessee at the time of each session, whether you are joining from home, campus, work, or another city within the state.
Why Choose ScienceWorks for Neurodivergent Support Groups?
Neurodivergent-Affirming, Not Fixing
We start from the belief that ADHD, autism, OCD, and other neurodivergent traits are real differences, not character flaws. Groups center your lived experience, make room for things like demand avoidance and sensory overload, and invite you to participate in ways that work for you, whether that is speaking aloud, using chat, or simply listening while your camera stays off.
Evidence-Based & Practical Skills
Our facilitators draw from group therapy, psychoeducation, skills training, and peer support so that you leave with tools you can actually use. That might look like concrete executive function strategies, anxiety and OCD coping plans, or communication scripts you can try out between sessions in real Tennessee life.
Small, Time-Limited Groups
Most of our groups are intentionally small and run for a clearly defined number of weeks. You know the start date, end date, and weekly rhythm before you begin. This structure can ease commitment anxiety, support executive function, and create a shared sense of journey with the same people over time.
Collaborative, No-Shame Approach
We assume you are already trying hard. We expect real life to get messy and build in flexibility around attendance, pacing, and between-session practice. Together, we experiment with what is sustainable for your energy, sensory profile, and executive function, instead of pushing one "right" way to participate.
Getting Started with Neurodivergent Support Groups in Tennessee
Reaching out for a group can feel like a big step, especially if past experiences with school, work, or therapy have been invalidating. We keep the process clear and low-pressure so you can move at your own pace.
1. Reach Out
Complete our secure contact form and mention that you are interested in neurodivergent support groups. You can share as much or as little detail as you like about your diagnoses, self-understanding, and what you are hoping for.
2. We Match You with a Group
Our team reviews your information, confirms that you are located in Tennessee, and lets you know which current or upcoming group seems like the best fit. If it makes sense, we may suggest a brief consultation call to answer questions and talk through logistics, access needs, and financial details.
3. Begin Group Sessions
Once you enroll, we will send clear information about dates, times, technology, and what to expect in your first session. Early meetings focus on orienting you to the structure, co-creating group agreements, and beginning the work of building community and skills together.
If you live in Tennessee and are looking for a small, neurodivergent-affirming group, we would be honored to connect with you. Click the "Schedule a Consultation" button on this page or use our contact form to ask about current and upcoming groups, and we will help you find a next step that fits.
FAQs About Neurodivergent Support Groups in Tennessee
Q: Are these groups online or in person?
A: All of our current neurodivergent support and skills groups are offered online through secure telehealth. This lets people across Tennessee join without fighting traffic, sensory-overloading environments, or long commutes, while still experiencing real-time connection with a consistent group.
Q: Who is eligible to join a group?
A: Our groups are designed for neurodivergent adults and teens who are physically located in Tennessee during sessions. You do not need a formal diagnosis to participate; many group members are self-identified or in the middle of assessment. During our intake process, we will help you decide whether a particular group is a good fit for your goals, age, and current level of support.
Q: What if I have more than one diagnosis, like ADHD, autism, OCD, anxiety, or trauma?
A: Co-occurring conditions are extremely common in our groups. Our clinicians are experienced in working with ADHD, autism, OCD, executive function challenges, social anxiety, burnout, and trauma, and we design topics and pacing with those intersections in mind. We may also recommend individual therapy, OCD- or trauma-focused services, or executive function coaching alongside group work when that is likely to be helpful.
Q: How long do groups last, and how do fees work?
A: Most groups run for a set number of weeks (often in the 6–12 week range) and meet once a week for about 60–90 minutes. We will review the exact schedule, fees, and payment options with you before you enroll. ScienceWorks is an out-of-network provider for many insurance plans, but we can usually provide documentation you can submit to your insurer if you choose; we cannot guarantee reimbursement.
About ScienceWorks Behavioral Health
ScienceWorks Behavioral Health is a Tennessee-based, neurodivergent-affirming practice offering therapy, psychological assessments, executive function coaching, groups, and other services for people navigating ADHD, autism, OCD, executive function challenges, social anxiety, trauma, and burnout. Our team is grounded in both lived experience and evidence-based care, and we especially enjoy working with people whose stories do not fit neatly into checkboxes. Learn more about our team, including Dr. Kiesa Kelly and other clinicians, at scienceworkshealth.com.
