are there therapists who work with patients who refuse meds?

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I understand that patients have the right to refuse medications, but therapists (those allowed to prescribe medications, like psychiatrists), also have the right to nag the patient until the patient either gives in or quits the therapy. More often than not, I suspect, the patient gives in.

That being said, is it possible to find a mental health professional who will work with a patient who doesn't want medications while respecting the patient's decision to refuse medications and without trying to convince the patient to accept medications?

it's kind of that "stated policy" vs. "actual behavior" thing again, i guess. one thing to remember: you're paying those people. they work for you. they don't have the right to decide for you. you have the right to file a complaint if they do, or change to someone else. that's my two cents, anyway.

Well, I got round that by seeing a psychologist who was familiar with Autism. Psychologists can't prescribe meds, as far as I know.

I agree with both above... I consulted a psychologist and I decided if meds were needed. Mind you, I was able to sort thru stuff to decide safely for myself. When i had been in the full grip of PTSD, full on fight and flight imbalance, I needed respite from executive decisions, therefore i let myself take meds as pyschologist suggested.

You or a trusted other have to triage the need for medication/ your body's need.

Everything used appropriately ( that is, doesn't hurt you, someone else, or property), has its usefulness.

Don't get me started on psychiatrists! I wouldn't send my dog to most of them.

Remember that YOU are the customer. If you don't like the service you are getting then you are free to take your business elsewhere.

I don't know what therapists you seek out, but all professionals and therapists except one respected my opinion and decisions about everything.

Honestly, I've never had a therapist nag me into meds, so maybe my contribution is entirely irrelevant. When I was on meds, it's always been as much as possible within my state of mind at the time an informed decision on my part (ie. I might now have made a different decision, but was at the time in such a state that I wanted to try everything to better my condition, including meds). The only bit of nagging into meds I experienced is with continuing on Risperdal (the initial prescription came from a psychiatrist who didn't nag me into it), from my GP, who was at the time sort of trying to help me with mental health stuff in the absence of a mental health provider. The reason was likely that she hadn't known me off meds, since I came into her care on meds, and she wasn't sure what would happen if I discontinued the med. But when I flat out told her that the question wasn't whether I would stop, but how, she did give me advice on a tapering schedule and continued seeing me without further nagging on meds.

The psychiatrist in charge of my current placement is pretty much fine with my not being on meds. He isn't my treatment provider, since that's a psychologist, but if he (psychiatrist) desperately wanted me to go on meds, he could easily suggest it. I currently don't even get nagged into using my PRN meds by nurses, which did sometimes happen at my former placement.

As a side note, what is the reason your former psychiatrists kept nagging you into using meds? I mean, there is little evidence that meds work for the primary symptoms of autism spectrum disorders, and I get it that the consensus among professionals specializign in ASDs is that meds should only be considered if appropriate ASD-related treatment/support doesn't have enough results.