Neurodivergent-Affirming Counselling
A space to understand yourself, rather than trying to change who you are.
Perhaps you've spent much of your life feeling different, misunderstood or like you're somehow getting things wrong. Maybe you've recently discovered you're autistic or have ADHD, or perhaps you've known for a long time but are still figuring out what that means for you.
You might find yourself masking, constantly adapting to other people's expectations or feeling exhausted from trying to navigate a world that doesn't always accommodate your needs. Perhaps you experience emotions intensely, struggle with overwhelm, or find it difficult to understand what you need and how to communicate it.
I offer neurodivergent-affirming counselling that recognises and respects the different ways people experience the world. Rather than trying to make you fit into a neurotypical mould, we can explore your experiences together, understand what might be contributing to your difficulties and find ways of relating to yourself with greater compassion and acceptance.
What might bring you to counselling?
Neurodivergence can shape many different aspects of our lives, relationships and sense of identity. You might be looking for support with:
Masking and authenticity: Exploring the ways you've learnt to adapt, hide parts of yourself or meet other people's expectations, and beginning to understand who you are underneath.
Emotional regulation and overwhelm: Making sense of intense emotions, emotional dysregulation, shutdowns, meltdowns or difficulties managing feelings and finding strategies that work for you.
Self-acceptance and identity: Processing a late diagnosis, understanding your neurodivergence, letting go of internalised shame and developing a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
Relationships and communication: Navigating misunderstandings, rejection sensitivity, boundaries, communicating your needs and feeling accepted in relationships.
Burnout and exhaustion: Exploring the impact of prolonged masking, sensory demands, social expectations and trying to function beyond your capacity.
Anxiety and low mood: Understanding how your experiences of the world might contribute to anxiety, stress, depression or feeling constantly on edge.
Navigating everyday life: Finding ways to manage demands, expectations and responsibilities that take account of your individual needs and capacities.
You don't need a diagnosis to explore these things, and you don't need to arrive knowing exactly what is going on. We can start with whatever feels important to you.
My approach to neurodivergent-affirming therapy
I don't see neurodivergence as something that needs to be fixed or overcome. I believe in understanding people within the context of their experiences, rather than viewing differences as deficits or assuming there is one right way to think, communicate, feel or behave.
I recognise that many neurodivergent people have spent years receiving messages that they're too sensitive, too emotional, too difficult or not trying hard enough. Perhaps you've been expected to adapt to environments that don't accommodate you, or have experienced shame and criticism for things that come less naturally to you.
Therapy can offer an opportunity to explore these experiences without judgement. We can look at the ways you've learnt to cope, consider whether some of those strategies are still serving you, and explore what it might mean to live in a way that feels more authentic and sustainable.
I also believe in the value of practical tools and skills. Drawing on DBT, mindfulness and other therapeutic frameworks, we can explore ways to understand your needs and develop strategies that work with your neurodivergence rather than against it.
I won't assume that a particular therapeutic approach or strategy will work for everyone. We'll work collaboratively to find what feels useful and realistic for you.
What does neuro-inclusive counselling look like?
Being neuro-affirming isn't just about how I think about neurodivergence; it's also about how I work with you.
I recognise that people have different communication styles, sensory preferences and ways of processing information. You don't need to make eye contact, sit still, communicate in a particular way or worry about interrupting me.
I can offer flexibility around session length and frequency, and adapt the pace and structure of our work where possible. My in-person space has lower lighting and fidget toys available, and I'm happy to discuss any adjustments that might make sessions more comfortable or accessible.
You can take time to process questions, ask me to explain something differently or let me know if something isn't working for you. If you experience brain fog, fluctuating capacity or periods of overwhelm, we can take that into account too.
You don't need to mask in therapy or worry about being too much. I want our work to be somewhere you can show up as yourself.
Is neurodivergent-affirming counselling right for me?
You might be autistic, have ADHD, identify as AuDHD, or be exploring whether you might be neurodivergent. You might have a formal diagnosis, be on a waiting list, or simply recognise aspects of your experiences in the descriptions above.
You might also have other mental health experiences alongside your neurodivergence, including anxiety, depression, trauma or difficulties with emotional regulation.
Whatever your circumstances, you don't need to fit a particular profile to work with me. I'm interested in understanding you as an individual, including your strengths, challenges, needs and the experiences that have shaped you.
Getting in touch
Finding a therapist who understands neurodivergence and makes you feel comfortable being yourself can be difficult. I understand that reaching out can feel daunting, particularly if you've had previous experiences of feeling misunderstood or judged.
You're welcome to get in touch with any questions or to find out a little more about working together before making any decisions.
You don't need to have everything figured out before we meet. We can start wherever you are.