Autistic Adults & Adult ADHD (Neurodivergent Adults)

Personal therapy and counselling for Autistic Adults is the same as personal therapy for Neurotypical people with a extra considerations coupled with an understanding and experience with neurodivergence. 

I take my education and knowledge of neurodiversity and the different way this presents in adults to tailor the counselling to support autistic adults in order that everyone can access effective and practical counselling and therapy that meets their needs.  

Some people may find the session length too long and overwhelming, and this can be adapted to suit your tolerance levels. 

Some people have difficulty in transferring thought to the spoken word or need extra time to process what they have heard, and this can be factored into your tailor-made longer sessions.

Some autistic adults find social based conversations difficult and find object-based conversations easier and this a style of therapy that can be factored into your therapy plan.

For people with Alexithymia (which is the inability to recognize or describe one's own emotions),  it is a 'way of being' that sometimes runs alongside a neurodivergent diagnosis, sessions and conversations can be adapted to consider and develop this area to meet your needs.

I can also work with adults and offer pre-diagnosis support whilst awaiting assessment for both autism and ADHD and also post-diagnostic support to help you navigate your diagnosis and process your feelings around it. We can look at self-disclosure, masking and help you identify what you are comfortable disclosing and to whom and when. 

Many of my clients have been diagnosed in adulthood and for some it brings answers and a sense of validation, a relief and finally they feel able to unmask and be their authentic selves.

 For others, a feeling of resentment towards caregivers and education providers that this wasn't diagnosed earlier with the appropriate support and adaptations provided with a feeling that if it had, their lives may have been easier and less traumatic. Often people don't know what to do with these feelings and together, we can work through these feelings, help you to understand and process them in a safe, non retraumatising and nurturing environment.

Whatever your feelings around a diagnosis, your feelings and perceptions are what is important and you are fully accepted for who you are and how you think and feel. There is no right or wrong way to be.

A range of fidget and sensory gadgets are provided each session as previous clients have found using these whilst talking, allows for better processing and more free talking. 

So, if you are or suspect you are a neurodivergent adult who would like to start your counselling journey with a qualified and registered counsellor who has 14 lived years' experience with autism, comes from a neurodivergent family and has a good working knowledge of ADHD, book a free consultation to discuss your needs further.

 I have experience of counselling autistic adults and adults with ADHD, both men and women, some of whom were diagnosed in childhood, others who were diagnosed as adults all of varying ages.

To enhance and evidence my knowledge, I have completed several autism training courses including 'Working Psychologically with Autistic Adults' with the British Psychological Society and Understanding ADHD with The Open University. 

 Please get in contact to discuss your needs further and how the sessions can be adapted to meet your needs.