Therapy advice for autistic girl/teen. Any alternative to CBT?

[PVPMT]

Does anyone have any advice for best, most effective therapy for autistic teen (girl)? DD struggles with social and communication, reading emotions and self-esteem. CBT doesn't seem adequate for her, she understands the concepts but finds them difficult to apply.

Would a therapy that relied less on verbal communication work better? Maybe one that taps into DD’s interests. For example, animal assisted therapy or art therapy. Or if DD enjoys gaming something like MindJam - not therapy, but many find it therapeutically helpful.

Dc1 had art therapy (autistic) through cahms however only got 8 sessions and I couldn't afford to pay it did help but needed longer really. Started off seeing psychologist who said cbt was not suitable for dc.

Thank you for the suggestions :). I really don't understand why therapist insist on CBT for autistic patients when most of them struggle with long talks. DD did almost a year of CBT, always in bad mood to leave for therapy and a financial setback (with huge sacrifices) that I wouldn't mind if it had been effective. As DD struggled with talking the therapist was just reading a book with her, I didn't find it a good strategy and asked for a break to rethink.

Play, horse, dog, art.

my son did mindjam religiously for 8 months and just quit one day never to return. Not sure what value he got and I don’t know why he quit but cost £2k ish. The mentor must of said something wrong / played wrong or something and didnt swap to someone else as he refused mindjam going forwards 🤪

Would your DD do drama?
Our DD found it brilliant as it was easier for her to be 'someone else' (acting) rather than herself. As facial movements are often over dramatised, she gradually was able to learn more about reading expressions.

Socially it was great for her too, and she has made friends for life!