What is neurodivergence?

Neurodivergence describes the natural differences in the ways people think, feel, communicate, process information and experience the world. It can include neurotypes such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and others.

​

A neurodivergent-affirming approach recognises these differences with curiosity, respect and compassion, rather than viewing them simply as problems to be fixed.

​

You may be looking for counselling because…

You may already know that you are autistic, ADHD or otherwise neurodivergent. You may be waiting for an assessment, considering whether to seek one, exploring the impact of one or simply wondering whether neurodivergence helps explain some of your experiences.

​

You might be experiencing:

• masking or feeling as though you have to hide parts of yourself

• exhaustion from trying to fit in or meet other people’s expectations

• autistic/ADHD/neurodivergent burnout

• anxiety, overwhelm or emotional exhaustion

• sensory sensitivities

• difficulties with organisation, focus or executive functioning

• people-pleasing or difficulty recognising your own needs

• feeling misunderstood, different or “too much”

• low self-esteem or self-criticism

• difficulties in relationships or communication

• grief, relief, anger or confusion following a late diagnosis

• uncertainty about your identity and what being neurodivergent means for you

• a lifetime of being told that you are lazy, difficult, oversensitive, disorganised or not trying hard enough

​

Sometimes simply finding a space where your experiences make sense can feel important.

​

Late diagnosis and late discovery

For many adults, discovering that they are autistic, ADHD or otherwise neurodivergent can bring a mixture of emotions. There may be relief in finally having an explanation for experiences that have felt confusing for years. There may also be sadness, anger or grief when looking back at times when your needs were not understood or supported. Counselling can give you space to explore what this discovery means for you, without pressure to reach any particular conclusion. We can look together at identity, relationships, masking, self-acceptance, past experiences and the ways you may want to live differently going forward.

​

Masking and burnout

Masking can involve consciously or unconsciously changing the way you behave, communicate or respond in order to fit in, avoid criticism or feel safer around other people. Over time, this can be exhausting.

You may feel disconnected from your own needs, unsure of who you are beneath the adaptations you have learned to make, or simply worn out from trying to cope.

​

Burnout can sometimes look like increased overwhelm, shutdown, difficulty functioning, reduced tolerance for demands, emotional exhaustion or needing much more time to recover.

 

Counselling is not about teaching you to mask more effectively. It can instead offer space to understand your needs, notice the pressures you are carrying and explore ways of living that feel more sustainable and authentic.

​

What neurodiversity-affirming counselling means in practice

Neurodiversity-affirming counselling means recognising that your way of thinking, processing and communicating is valid. Rather than asking, “How can we make you behave more normally?”, the focus is on understanding what helps you feel safe, understood and able to be yourself.

 

Therapy can be adapted to suit you. This might include allowing more processing time, being flexible around communication style, exploring sensory needs, reducing pressure around eye contact, using clear and direct language, or working in a way that feels less demanding.  There is no expectation that you should communicate, respond or experience therapy in a particular way.

​

We can work together to understand what helps you.

​

Trauma and neurodivergence

Many neurodivergent people have experiences of being misunderstood, criticised, excluded, bullied or repeatedly told that the way they respond to the world is wrong. These experiences can have a lasting emotional impact. Some people also experience trauma alongside neurodivergence, and the two can sometimes overlap in complex ways.

​

My work is both neurodivergent-affirming and trauma-informed, which means we can explore your experiences at a pace that feels manageable and with attention to safety, choice and your individual needs.

​

You do not need to change who you are

Counselling is not about becoming less autistic, less ADHD or less visibly neurodivergent but can be about understanding and accepting yourself more fully.  It may involve recognising what overwhelms you, noticing where you have learned to ignore your own needs, developing greater self-compassion, understanding your patterns and relationships, and making changes that feel right for you.  The aim is not to make you fit somebody else’s idea of “normal”.  It is to support you in finding ways of living that feel more manageable, meaningful and authentic.

​

Counselling for ADHD and autism and other neurotypes

I work with adults who identify with, are diagnosed with, or are exploring their neurodivergence/neurotype, may it be ADHD  autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia etc.

​

You may want support with anxiety, overwhelm, burnout, relationships, self-esteem, executive functioning, emotional regulation, identity, masking or the impact of late diagnosis. You may also simply want a space where you do not have to constantly explain or defend the way your mind works.

​

Do I need a diagnosis?

No.

​

You are welcome whether you have a formal diagnosis, are awaiting assessment, identify as neurodivergent through self-discovery, or are simply beginning to question whether neurodivergence may be part of your experience.

​

Counselling is not an assessment and I do not diagnose autism or ADHD, but we can explore your experiences and what they mean to you.

​

Online neurodivergent counselling across the UK

I offer online counselling to adults across the UK, as well as in-person sessions in Adlington, near Chorley in Lancashire.

​

Online counselling can be particularly helpful if travelling, unfamiliar environments or sensory demands make in-person sessions more difficult.

​

Being able to attend therapy from your own space can sometimes make sessions feel more accessible and comfortable.

​

A space where you can be yourself

You do not need to perform, mask or present yourself in a particular way in therapy. You are welcome to communicate in the way that works best for you.

 

My role is to meet you with curiosity, respect and compassion, and to work alongside you rather than trying to fit you into a predetermined model of how you should be.

​

If you would like to explore whether working together might feel right for you, you are welcome to get in touch.