About Me – A Neurodiversity-
Affirming Counsellor in Chorley, Lancashire

Hello I'm Ruth

​

I’m a BACP-accredited counsellor and the founder of Amethyst Counselling, with more than 10 years’ experience supporting adults through anxiety, trauma, bereavement, burnout, identity difficulties and times of change.

​

My approach is warm, collaborative and down-to-earth. I believe counselling works best when you feel able to be yourself rather than feeling that you have to say the “right” thing or fit into a particular way of doing therapy.

​

My practice is neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed, and I also bring lived experience of neurodiversity alongside specialist training. This has shaped the way I work: with curiosity about each person’s individual experience, flexibility around how we communicate, and respect for the different ways people process and make sense of the world.

​

Above all, I want therapy to feel like a space where you can slow things down, feel heard and begin to understand yourself with a little more compassion.

​

My approach

My work is rooted in person-centred counselling, which means you are at the heart of every session. I will listen with care, help you make sense of what’s happening, and offer gentle guidance and supportive strategies where helpful.

​

Depending on your needs, I may draw on:

• mindfulness and grounding techniques

• compassion-focused approaches

• psychoeducation around stress, trauma, and neurodiversity

• creative or reflective exercises, where helpful

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)

​

Each session is tailored to you — your pace, your needs, and your way of experiencing the world.

​

Neurodiversity-affirming counselling

I have a particular interest in offering neurodiversity-affirming counselling for adults, including people with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, sensory sensitivities etc. those thinking of getting a diagnosis, those who want to explore the impact of a diagnosis or how their own neurodivergence affects them and those who are exploring their neurotype later in life. This is something I have lived experience of myself as well as training in.

(see my blog here for more on the pros and cons of having a neurodivergent counsellor when you are neurodivergent).

​

I understand that traditional therapy does not always feel like the right fit for everyone, so I adapt how I work to suit you — from communication preferences to sensory comfort — to help you feel safe, understood, and respected.

​

If you have often felt misunderstood, “too much,” or “not enough,” I aim to offer a space that feels different: somewhere you can feel more able to be yourself.

​

Find out more about my neurodiversity-affirming counselling here.

​

My experience and training

I hold a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), working within their ethical framework.

My 10+ years of experience and training includes supporting people with:

​

• anxiety and stress

• neurodivergent discovery/questioning

• trauma recovery

• bereavement and loss

• self-esteem and identity difficulties

• life transitions

• burnout

​

Ongoing professional development is important to me, and I regularly undertake training in trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming practice so that my work remains current, thoughtful, and inclusive.

​

A little about me

Away from counselling, I value quiet time, nature, creativity and mindfulness. I tend to appreciate the smaller, calmer things in life and understand the importance of having space to decompress when the world feels busy or overwhelming.

​

Those values naturally find their way into my counselling work too. I aim to offer a calm, unhurried space where you do not need to perform, have everything figured out or arrive knowing exactly what you want to say.

​

Counselling in Chorley and online

I offer in-person counselling in Adlington, Chorley (PR7), Lancashire, as well as online counselling throughout the UK.

​

If you’d like to know more or arrange an introductory chat, you’re very welcome to get in touch. I’d be glad to hear from you, there is no pressure, just a chance to answer any questions you may have.

​

📞 07834 720148
✉️ amethystcounselling.ruth@gmail.com