Autistic Adults & Adult ADHD (Neurodivergent Adults)

 Personal therapy and counselling for Autistic and ADHD adults follows the same principles as therapy for Neurotypical individuals, with added considerations, understanding, and experience tailored to support neurodivergence.

I draw on my education and expertise in neurodiversity to tailor counselling and personal therapy to accommodate the unique ways neurodivergence presents in adults. My goal is to ensure that everyone has access to effective, practical therapy that truly meets their needs.

For example, if session lengths feel overwhelming, they can be adjusted to match your comfort and tolerance levels. Similarly, if you need extra time to process information or find it challenging to translate thoughts into words, longer, tailored sessions can be designed to support you effectively. 

 A variety of fidget and sensory tools are available during each session, as many clients have found that using these while talking helps with processing and encourages more open communication. Additionally, I offer creative therapies to enhance the experience, providing alternative ways to express yourself and explore your thoughts, ensuring therapy is tailored to your unique communication style 

 Some Autistic adults find social-based conversations challenging but are more comfortable with object-based discussions. This approach can be incorporated into your therapy plan, shifting the focus away from emotions and toward more cognitive, structured conversations to suit your preferences and needs. This also supports clients who experience Alexithymia—an inability or difficulty in recognising or describing one's own emotions— that may accompany a neurodivergent diagnosis, Sessions can be thoughtfully adapted. Conversations and strategies are designed to explore and develop this area in a way that aligns with your unique needs. 

I also offer support for adults both pre- and post-diagnosis for Autism and ADHD. While awaiting assessment, we can focus on understanding your experiences and preparing for what comes next. Post-diagnosis, I can help you navigate your new understanding of yourself, explore self-disclosure, and identify what you're comfortable sharing, with whom, and when.

Many of my clients diagnosed in adulthood experience a mix of emotions. For some, it brings answers, validation, and relief, allowing them to finally unmask and embrace their authentic selves. For others, it can bring feelings of resentment toward caregivers or educators for missed opportunities for earlier support and adaptations, alongside a sense of what might have been different.

Together, we can work through these feelings, helping you process and understand them in a safe, nurturing, and non-retraumatising environment. Whatever your feelings about a diagnosis, they are valid and important. Here, you are fully accepted for who you are and how you think and feel—there is no right or wrong way to be.

 I also offer therapy for adults with learning disabilities, providing a supportive space where communication and expression are tailored to individual needs. This includes creative therapies such as art, sand tray work, and other interactive approaches, offering alternative ways to explore emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a safe and accessible way. 

If you are, or suspect you are, a neurodivergent adult looking to begin your counselling journey, I bring a wealth of experience and understanding to support you. As a qualified and accredited psychotherapist with 16 years of lived experience with autism, a neurodivergent family background, and a working knowledge of ADHD, I offer a compassionate and informed approach tailored to your needs.

I have worked with Autistic adults and adults with ADHD, including men and women of all ages, diagnosed in both childhood and adulthood. To deepen my understanding, I’ve completed extensive training, including 'Working Psychologically with Autistic Adults' with the British Psychological Society and 'Understanding ADHD' with The Open University. I’ve also recently completed a BA (Hons) degree, with my dissertation research project focused on the experiences of Autistic adults in psychotherapy.

Every session can be adapted to suit your unique needs. Book a free consultation to discuss how I can support you on your journey