Empowering Families, Inspiring Futures

Alyvia Autism Center of Ann Arbor provides compassionate and evidence-based mental health support for children, adolescents, and families navigating the challenges of autism spectrum disorder.

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Highly Specialized and Expert-Led Care

Dr. Willar specializes in supporting children and adolescents with autism and their families, addressing common co-occurring challenges such as anxiety, depression, and social skill deficits. She primarily works with youth aged 7 to 18+, using modified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the PEERS© curriculum to enhance mental health concerns and social challenges. Dr. Willar is dedicated to providing exceptional, quality care and guidance to help families thrive.

Services

Tailored Mental Health Treatment for Children, Adolescents and Families with ASD

  • Dr. Willar is committed to the use of evidence-based treatments supported by scientific research and primarily practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) modified for those impacted by autism spectrum disorder, in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities. CBT is a relatively short-term, goal oriented, skill based treatment, which aims to modify thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in order to improve overall well being. CBT can include exposure response prevention (ERP) in order to treat anxiety based challenges. Therapy is collaborative, individualized and strengths based.

  • For individuals who are not ready/able to join a group social skills intervention, Dr. Willar provides individualized social skill training utilizing the PEERS© curriculum.

  • Parenting a child with autism can be exceptionally challenging. Parents are an integral part in their child’s healing and well being, regardless of the age of the child. Dr. Willar provides behavioral parent training, an empirically supported treatment focused on teaching parents new ways to manage their child’s difficult behavior. Dr. Willar is also a trained SPACE© provider, which is a parent based treatment for childhood/adolescent anxiety and OCD.

  • Dr. Willar is distinguished as a social skills trainer, utilizing the PEERS© curriculum. PEERS© is a 14-week, evidence-based social skills intervention for teens (ages 12-16 years), who are interested in learning how to make and maintain friends. Parents attend separate, concurrent sessions.

  • Having a family member with autism can cause increased stress within the family unit, between caregivers as well as the parent/child and/or sibling relationships. Dr. Willar provides comprehensive care to families and its’ members in order to strengthen communication and overall cohesiveness.

  • Dr. Willar can help educate parents about a new diagnosis, provide guidance regarding treatment recommendations, work with families and schools to help advocate for a child’s needs, and navigate next steps for various life transitions.

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  • “Dr. Willar helped our adolescent son begin to develop the tools and self-awareness he needs to better cope with his emotions and stress levels in his life. Her guidance and support has proven invaluable to our family.”

    Father of 12 year old son impacted by Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder & Mood Challenges

  • “Dr. Willar provides specific, goal-oriented therapy to help clients manage personal challenges and build life skills. I appreciate her ability to be warm and caring while keeping my child accountable.”

    Mother of 17 year old son impacted by Autism, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & Eating Challenges

  • "Dr. Willar’s accommodating approach to work with patients on their terms created trust and the ability to produce individualized strategies that worked for our daughter. Dr. Willar’s work and support was life changing for our family.”

    Mother & father of 10 year old daughter impacted by autism, ADHD, Anxiety & Mood Challenges

  • “Through Dr. Willar’s professionalism, warmth, and ability to establish a genuine connection, she was able to bond with our son over Zoom. Our son felt listened to and safe to talk about his fears and struggles."

    Mother & Father of 9 year old son impacted by autism, ADHD & Anxiety

Contact Us

Interested in working together? Schedule a free 10-minute phone consultation to inquire further about our services.