Rebecca Martínez

I am a licensed psychologist and Associate Professor at Indiana University Bloomington, where my work centers on teaching, research, and mentorship in counseling psychology and counselor education. I am deeply committed to supporting students, clinicians, and scholars in developing thoughtful, ethical, and neurodiversity‑affirming approaches to psychological practice and research.

My scholarship focuses on autism assessment, mental health equity, and neurodiversity‑affirming practice, with particular attention to autistic women, older adults, and others who have historically been overlooked or marginalized. Across my work, I emphasize strengths‑based and socially just frameworks that value lived experience, identity development, and well‑being.

I lead the CARAFE Lab (Counseling, Advocacy, and Research on the Autistic Female Experience) in collaboration with a dedicated graduate student research team. Our work advances community‑engaged research aimed at expanding understanding of autism beyond traditional diagnostic narratives and promoting more inclusive and affirming practices across psychology, education, and mental health systems.

My professional efforts have included leadership in autism research, training, and public education, as well as the development of initiatives designed to broaden access to evidence‑based, neuroaffirming resources through community partnership and publicly available learning materials.

In addition to my academic role, I maintain a private clinical practice providing comprehensive adult autism evaluations. Across all aspects of my work, I am committed to fostering environments in which individuals feel understood, supported, and empowered to live authentic and meaningful lives.