About the Author
Laura Wells (she/her) is a certified Brainspotting therapist and relational counsellor specialising in complex trauma and working with neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ adults. She offers therapy online and in person in Salisbury through The Diversity Therapist, supporting individuals to explore their inner worlds with compassion, agency, and respect for difference.
When the world becomes too much, some of us don’t run — we vanish.
Dissociation isn’t detachment; it’s the body’s oldest form of love, the nervous system’s way of saying, “Let me keep you safe.”
This essay explores that hidden wisdom — and how returning to ourselves begins not with force, but with gentleness.
The Instinct to Vanish
If I can’t leave the danger, I’ll leave myself instead.
There’s a place inside many of us that feels like home — sourced from instinct — an inner cave, dimly lit, quiet, restrictive,
yet familiar.
When reality becomes inescapable, the mind pulls away, retreating to a place of safety.
When connection feels cutting and empty, when the absence of unmet needs deafens, touch burns instead of soothes, light blinds, sound assaults,
and the disowned feelings of others seep in, violating the deepest core of you.
The Body That Feels Too Much
For many neurodivergent people, this isn’t just metaphor — the world itself can be too loud, too bright, too fast. The body registers life at full volume.
Sensory systems built to perceive detail and nuance can, under strain, become flooded.
What others call “over reactivity” is often simply unfiltered aliveness — and when it overwhelms, dissociation can become a natural way to soften the edges of the world.
To outsiders, it might look like coldness or attention seeking — but to the one inside, dissociation is a remarkable act of protection.
It is the nervous system’s way of enduring the unbearable, of keeping the self intact when everything else falls away.
The Earliest Lessons in Safety
Even in the earliest stages of life, the body knows how to protect itself.
Before words, even before birth, stress and overwhelm leave traces in the developing nervous system.
Research shows that the fetal and infant stress response can already adapt to threat —heart rate slows, energy folds inward, movement stills.
And beneath that stillness, the body hums with electricity. The tiny hairs at the nape rise as if pulled by invisible strings, and a charge gathers in the gut, surging upward through the spine.
The head fills with pressure — a crowded, dizzying pulse where the body meets its own feared counterpart.
Even in a being too small to name fear, the nervous system already knows the choreography: contract, contain, disappear.
This early shutdown is not failure, but instinct —
the body’s quiet wisdom saying, “If I can’t get help, I’ll conserve myself.”
Adaptation, Not Defect
For those born with heightened sensory wiring — as many neurodivergent people are —
this protective instinct can remain close to the surface.
The nervous system stays alert, scanning for too much light, sound, motion, or demand.
In this context, withdrawal and disconnection are not malfunctions but adaptations —rhythmic retreats that help the self-endure a world that rarely slows down enough to meet it.
In infancy, when cries for attuned care go unanswered or the world becomes too much, a baby may stop moving, stop meeting the caregiver’s gaze, stop seeking.
It looks like behavioural stillness, but it’s the smallest person’s way of surviving the largest feelings.
What begins as a biological reflex becomes, over time, a way of being —the nervous system’s language for no more. In that muffled darkness, where time distorts and pain hovers just beyond reach, not feeling becomes — for a moment — the only way to keep existing.
Control After Loss of Agency
Over time, the curling and caving in become not only instinctive but also a way to reclaim agency.
If I can hold my suffering close, then I am not purely harm’s victim —here, at least, I control the terms of my hurt.
What began as necessity becomes a well-worn strategy for surviving the environment.
Every corner of the world, every relationship, every daily demand can become a trigger, stirring implicit sensory memories of the too much,
the loss, and the unmet longings — a complex grief too often recognised only as symptoms, or bad behaviour.
In neurodivergent lives, this can also include the exhaustion of constant sensory negotiation —
the masking, camouflaging, over-compensating, the endless calibrations to fit into spaces that were never designed with one’s sensitivities in mind.
The grief of difference, and perpetual misunderstanding too, lives in the body.
The Familiar Cave
Inside the cave, at the back and along the edges, there may echo the sounds of the unheard through the ages—
from the ringing of stifled cries, the intrusive chatter of silenced protests, the swell of unmet embraces; the constant ache of tension, a closing in—
their circling a known companion. Yet the cave within does not betray or surprise. It is consistent. Predictable.
Where love once carried danger, suffering at least plays by its rules. To lean into pain can feel safer than leaning into connection—whether with our own body, another, or even the natural world.
Over time, this relationship with suffering can turn into an identity. We begin to belong to our wounds.
The wounded and protective parts of the self-start to move in rhythm — a sequence of defence and ache, looping through familiar cycles, unaware of a self in the present that could hold them, hear them and compassionately mediate, negotiate and understand.
These patterns begin to dictate our choices, whispering that healing or change is not meant for us —
that torment is a safer guest than despair or emptiness. The world beyond that cave — connection without hypervigilance, presence without performance —feels foreign.
For some, even hope and joy can be triggering, because they ask us to risk disappointment again.
Loyalty to Pain
Yet this self-bonding with pain isn’t weakness. It’s the body’s most loyal attempt to protect us.
The nervous system doesn’t distinguish between emotional and physical danger;
it only knows that when the edges are violated, disconnection feels like safety.
So we curl inward, wrapping ourselves in familiar hurt, mistaking endurance for peace.
And when that disconnection extends inward — toward the body’s own sensations —
survival demands another cost.
The numbness that shields us from pain also dulls our awareness of emotional and physical hungers,
and our divine right to feel at peace.
Interoception — the sense of what happens inside the body — can grow quiet. For many, especially those whose sensory systems are tuned to register extremes,
this muted inner awareness becomes a way to cope.
Over time, with compassion and grounded presence, this connection can be relearned —
the body’s cues not as symptoms to manage, but as a beautiful, rich language waiting to be understood.
Lighting Lamps in the Cave
Real healing begins not by ripping away the armour, but by gently acknowledging why it exists.
The retreat was never failure — it was wisdom born of necessity. The goal is not to discard the cave, but to light small lamps within it.
To breathe there. To notice when you’ve retreated and remind yourself that you have autonomy —
that you can ask for what you need: considerations, accommodations, boundaries, pauses, and even no-thank-yous.
To remember that the same instincts that taught us to hide
can also teach us to stay present, once safety returns.
There is a quiet difference between noticing when things begin to feel too much and reclaiming agency —
and slipping into the old rhythm of retreat and endurance. One is an act of care; the other, of disappearance.
Knowing this difference takes practice. It begins with pausing long enough to ask:
where am I, and did I choose this for myself? If I could choose rest rather than vanishing, what might that feel like?
The same pause that once signalled collapse can, over time, become a doorway back to choice —
a moment where self-protection transforms into self-presence.
When Protection Becomes Isolation
But over time, disconnection asks for its own reckoning. What once softened pain can begin to sharpen it in other ways.
The more we withdraw from the body, the heavier its silence grows —
numbing gives way to ache, tension and fatigue.
Needs and longings do not disappear in absence; they linger, unanswered, pressing at the edges of awareness.
The very act of survival that once kept us safe can start to keep us apart —
from nourishment, from feeling, from the possibility of being met.
Protection continues doing its job, just in the wrong context.
For when we retreat to the back — literally and metaphorically — no one, not even ourselves, has our back.
We lose connection with the fullness of our spine, and the further we retreat, the bigger the cave becomes,
first in our head, then our body, until even our home becomes a place to hide rather than reside.
Healing as Coherence
For some, healing doesn’t mean silence in the nervous system or full sensory ease.
The goal is not to erase the wiring, but to work with it —to create gentler environments, slower rhythms, and sensory refuges that honour the body’s original design.
Disconnection may still visit, not as pathology, but as a familiar language of regulation in a world that often speaks too loudly.
Self-soothing through pain is a story of survival that longs to become a story of renewal.
When we can notice the patterns — the quiet curling in, the comfort in discomfort —we can begin to ask a softer question:
What if I could feel without pain?
What if I could connect with agency?
What if I did not have to keep pushing through and endure?
Maybe healing begins here — in these small, tender what-ifs,
where the body starts to trust that aliveness doesn’t mean danger, and where the self, once hidden,
learns to return — not as defence, but as home.
And for those whose senses will always live near the surface whose systems feel the world in high-definition home might never be silence, but coherence.
Healing, then, is not about becoming less sensitive,
but about being less alone in that sensitivity
If this resonates with you whether only in part and you are curious, please get in touch.
About me
Hi, I’m Maria. I offer a kind of counselling called psychosynthesis.
That might sound like a mouthful, but what it really means is working together in a way that sees your whole self – not just the parts that are struggling, but the creative, sensitive, curious, and capable parts too.
It’s not about “fixing” you; it’s about helping you understand and support yourself more fully, in a world that often doesn’t.
As a late-diagnosed mum (I was diagnosed during my training!), my focus is on helping neurodivergent parents get to know and love themselves better. Whether you’ve been officially diagnosed or suspect you may be neurodivergent, it’s completely normal to experience a bit of an identity crisis somewhere along the way. (Or at least an identity wobble.)
Who am I really? What does this change, if anything? How do I start to “unmask” – and do I even want to? (And all of this, while keeping small humans alive.)
Parenting is hard enough. Taking time to focus on ourselves, who we are, and what we want and need can stir up more than a bit of guilt and shame. (Especially if we’re comparing ourselves to other parents!)
But what if it doesn’t have to be that way?
That’s just some of what we can explore in our work together.
Ways of Working
In short: I tailor my approach to you.
You might describe our sessions as an anchor point.
A support for feeling more grounded in your body and in your life.
Slowly and gently easing into the possibility: “Maybe it is okay to be me.”
So much of this is about feeling safe and not judged.
My aim through this work is to help you get to know and love yourself better…
…even if the idea of “loving yourself” currently feels like a dot on the horizon.
The Types of Issues I Support Neurodivergent Clients With
Themes I work with – either specific to your role as a parent, or more generally, within the context of your life as a neurodivergent adult, who is also a parent.
(It would be impossible for me to list everything, so please do get in touch if you don’t see what you’re looking for.)
- Anxiety and Depression – Whether linked to parenting, the postnatal period, or part of your day-to-day life.
- Boundaries and Self-Advocacy – Learning to recognise your own needs, set healthy boundaries, and speak up for yourself more easily.
- Burnout and Overwhelm – Helping you understand and recover from emotional, physical, or sensory exhaustion.
- Change and Loss – Support with transitions, identity shifts or grief – even the quiet, invisible kinds.
- Emotional Awareness and Regulation – Understanding your emotions (even when they’re hard to name) and finding ways to respond to them that feel more manageable.
- Executive Function – Exploring how your brain works best when it comes to time, tasks, motivation and daily demands.
- Identity and Unmasking – Asking big questions like: Who am I really? Who am I beyond being a parent? What do I want and need?
- Isolation – That feeling of not belonging, of being unseen or unlovable – and finding new ways to connect.
- Menstrual Cycle Challenges – Support with PMS, PMDD, perimenopause, and the emotional and sensory changes that can come with hormonal shifts.
- Parenting – Supporting you through the intensity of parenting as a neurodivergent adult, especially when old wounds or triggers show up.
- Postnatal Trauma – Making sense of difficult or frightening experiences during birth or postpartum, and finding ways to feel more empowered again.
- Pre and Post-Diagnostic Support – Exploring your suspicions of being autistic or ADHD, or processing what it means for you after a formal diagnosis.
- Psychoeducation – Learning more about how your neurodivergent brain works — and how that can be a source of insight and strength.
- Purpose – Feeling unsure about what really matters to you or where you’re headed — and finding more meaning or direction.
- Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) – Feeling painfully hurt or rejected by small things — perhaps even from your own child — and learning how to navigate those intense emotional reactions.
- Self-Care – Not just the “nice extras”, but building sustainable, real-world ways to tend to your needs.
- Sense of Safety – Exploring how to feel safer in your body, your relationships, and the world around you.
- Sensory Overload – Coping with strong reactions to sounds, lights, textures, smells, and more.
- Shame and Low Self Esteem – That painful feeling of not being “good enough” — as a parent, or as a person — and slowly uncovering the possibility that you are worthy.
- Spirituality – Space to explore spiritual shifts, questions or crises – and how these might be part of your healing.
- Trauma – Working through specific traumatic events or the long-term effects of ongoing stress, invalidation, or not being supported.
Qualifications
Registered Member (MBACP) – British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychosynthesis Counselling – The Psychosynthesis Trust
Certificate in Psychosynthesis Foundations – The Psychosynthesis Trust
Essentials of Psychosynthesis – The Psychosynthesis Trust
Level 2 Peer Mentoring – Adult Learning Wales
Additional CPD Specific to Neurodiversity
A Neuro-Affirming Approach to Working with Autistic Clients – Aspire Autism Consultancy
ADHD in The Therapy Room – A Neuro-Affirming Approach – Aspire Autism Consultancy
Autistic Experiences of Pregnancy, Childbirth & Early Parenting – SWAN (Scotland-based neurodiversity network)
About me
I have been in Leeds since 2012 but I’ve also had the opportunity to travel, spending time in Leicester, London and Nottingham. I have also lived abroad, an experience which has given me the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures.
I initially started my career studying Computer science at University before switching to Physiotherapy. It was during that course that I was diagnosed with depression. I took some time out and talked through my problems in counselling. One of the problems I encountered was realising that I was always doing things to please others and not looking after myself. This caused a lot of underlying stress & anxiety which I was unaware of. Counselling helped me a great deal, enabling me to understand where these difficulties had come from but importantly what I could do to address how I was feeling.
This led me to understanding myself better and ultimately to a career in counselling. My experiences have greatly shaped my private practice and how I work. I initially had a special interest in Anxiety, Stress and Depression but in the more recent past this has shifted to providing a neuro-affirming practice. I have a family member who is Autistic and this personal journey alongside an increasing number of clients wanting help to understand what it means to be neurodivergent, has led me to want to specialise in this area.
Ways of Working
What does it mean to work with me in a neuro-affirming way? It means I recognise that your experience of anxiety, especially if you have Autism or ADHD, is often tied to how you’ve had to navigate the world. Rather than starting with a goal to “fix” or change how you are in the world, we simply begin by looking at what is happening for you. Whether you have a diagnosis or are just starting to wonder if your brain works differently, our work is about curious exploration—finding out what serves you, what feels heavy, and what you need to feel more at ease in your own life.
The Types of Issues I Support Neurodivergent Clients With
Anger
Anxiety, stress, depression
Bereavement
Intrusive thoughts
Masking, overwhelm and burnout
Organisation, motivation and time management difficulties
Rejection sensitivity
Relationship and social communication difficulties
Self-esteem
Self-harm and suicidal ideation
Separation, loss of relationship, divorce
Qualifications
Chrysalis, Accredited Professional Training
Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy – Distinction
Diploma in Hypnotherapy – Distinction
Leeds Beckett University
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
CERT HE Interpersonal & Counselling Skills
Additional CPD Specific to Neurodiversity
Neuro-Affirming Approach to Working with Autistic Clients – Aspire Autism Consultancy
ADHD in The Therapy Room – Aspire Autism Consultancy
About me
As an accredited neurodiversity coach, I work holistically with individuals aged 18 and above who self-identify as neurodivergent or have been diagnosed. I hold space for you to reflect on and process your personal experiences, respecting your expertise on neurodiversity.
Being neurodivergent myself, I am dedicated to supporting and empowering you to become more self-aware and accepting of your true self. Life can be complex, compounded by navigating through a neurodivergent lens; I apply my experience and expertise with a professional and personable approach to meet your individual needs.
I have worked in the field of psychology, diverse mental health provisions and occupational health with adults, young people and children. I have worked as an Assistant Psychologist and a Primary Mental Health Practitioner within the NHS, the police and also probation services with adult offenders. I have specialised in working with victims of specific trauma, including abuse, rape & child sexual exploitation. Noticing the experiences of neurodivergent individuals and my neurodivergence, I gained additional qualifications in neurodiversity to focus my expertise.
The Types of Issues I Support Neurodivergent Clients With
- overwhelm and burnout
- executive function and transitions
- anxiousness and low mood
- self-criticism and negative self-narratives
- managing energy levels
- communication
- self-regulation
Ways of Working
I provide a confidential, safe and non-judgmental space for reflection, understanding and acceptance that empowers you to meet your personal goals and needs.
I utilise a strengths-based intuitive approach for you to actualise your unique potential when working towards your goals. My practice is embedded in my experience of working with children and adults in diverse settings as well as psychological theory and training. I specialise in ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.
I work flexibly with you to schedule your sessions; each session is 1 hour, and I offer an initial free 30-minute consultation to meet each other.
Qualifications
ICF Neurodiversity in Coaching
L7 Executive Coaching
ACA NLP Coaching
CSTD Supervision
Higher MSc Health and Wellbeing
MSc Clinical and Health Psychology
Additional CPD Specific to Neurodiversity
Consultancy ADHD in The Therapy Room – Aspire Autism Consultancy
Psychological Work and Autism Training SpLDs Training – British Psychological Society
About me
It’s really important to find the right counsellor that you can connect with so that you can freely express yourself and get the most from therapy. I can offer counselling sessions in either English or Polish.
Having spent over a decade working with and coaching people who are marginalised by the social system, facing inequalities, discrimination and exclusion, I was fortunate to witness that providing a trustful, caring, and tailored support that responds to someone’s needs and expectations, can lead to remarkable outcomes. One of the main reasons neurodivergent individuals seek psychotherapy is often to address challenges that arise from navigating a neurotypical world, which can lead to heightened stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout due to social pressures, stigma, and a lack of understanding and accommodation.
As a neurotypical person my interest and dedication for working with neurodivergent individuals started from my personal feeling of frustration and shame that in the 21st century there are still a lot of stereotypes and misunderstanding within the neurotypical population about this natural variation in human neurology. Moreover, as a professional, recognition that the access to high quality neuro-affirming support that can offer life changing outcomes is extremely limited, empowers me to try and create a positive opportunity for people who need it. I strongly believe in the individual’s organic capacity for personal growth, when provided with appropriate, supportive and understanding therapeutic relationships.
The Types of Issues I Support Neurodivergent Clients With
Understanding Yourself and Your Neurotype:
- Finally making sense of why you are the way you are. Many neurodivergent people grow up feeling “different” or “wrong” without knowing why. We can work through understanding your diagnosis (or self-diagnosis) – what it means for you, your strengths, and your challenges.
- De-masking and authenticity: Learning to unmask and be your true self, rather than constantly trying to fit in or ‘perform’ neurotypicality, which can be incredibly exhausting. This often involves exploring the cost of masking on your mental and physical health.
- Building self-acceptance and self-compassion: Moving away from self-criticism or shame about your neurodivergence, and learning to treat yourself with kindness and understanding.
Managing Overwhelm and Burnout:
- Sensory overload: Developing strategies to identify sensory triggers and manage intense sensory experiences, whether that’s noise, light, textures, or smells.
- Autistic burnout or ADHD burnout: This is a very real and often debilitating experience. We can explore what leads to your burnout (e.g., masking, over-scheduling, sensory demands) and develop sustainable strategies to recover and prevent it.
- Emotional dysregulation: For example, intense emotions, meltdowns, or shutdowns. We can work on understanding the triggers for these, developing healthier coping mechanisms, and improving emotional regulation skills.
Navigating Relationships and Social Interactions:
- Communication differences: Understanding your own communication style and how it might differ from neurotypical expectations, and learning strategies for clearer, more effective communication – whether that’s with family, friends, or colleagues.
- Social anxiety and misunderstandings: Processing past social difficulties, reducing anxiety around social situations, and developing ways to connect with others authentically. This isn’t about changing who you are, but finding ways to navigate social interactions that feel comfortable and genuine for you.
- Boundaries: Learning to set clear and healthy boundaries in relationships to protect your energy and needs.
- Neurodiverse relationships: If you’re in a neurodiverse relationship (e.g., one partner is neurotypical, the other neurodivergent), we can explore communication patterns and mutual understanding.
Addressing Co-occurring Mental Health Concerns:
- We can work on:
- Anxiety: Managing intense worry, social anxiety, performance anxiety.
- Depression: Addressing feelings of sadness, low motivation, or hopelessness.
- Trauma: Processing experiences of invalidation, bullying, or systemic ableism.
Life Transitions and Daily Living:
- Identity exploration: Whether it’s gender identity, sexuality, or simply understanding who you are outside of neurotypical expectations.
- Coping with change: Neurodivergent individuals often find transitions challenging. We can work on strategies to manage big life changes (e.g., moving, starting a new job, relationship changes).
- Advocacy: Learning to advocate for your needs in educational settings, the workplace, or with healthcare providers.
Ways of Working
My way of working is about building a unique neuroaffirming therapeutic approach that truly fits you, honours your neurodivergence, and helps you achieve what you want from our time together. My goal is to create a therapeutic relationship and environment where you feel genuinely safe, understood, and comfortable enough to be your authentic self. This allows us to focus on what you want to work on, in a way that respects your neurotype and truly supports your wellbeing. Whether that might be communication style, sensory requirements, structure and predictability for our sessions, or managing energy and overwhelm, my adjustments aren’t concessions; they are fundamental to creating an effective therapeutic space for you.
I adapt my theoretical approach to your needs and expectations – drawing upon my core psychodynamic model, but also using person-centred and compassion focused therapies. What it means is that I use my deep understanding of how your past experiences shape you (psychodynamic) to help us explore the roots of your feelings,thoughts and behaviour, especially considering how autism and/or ADHD might have shaped those experiences. But, I always do this while listening closely to you and respecting your unique way of being (person-centred), because you are the expert on yourself. And throughout our work, we actively work on developing kindness and understanding towards yourself (compassion-focused), helping you navigate challenges with more warmth and less self-criticism.
Qualifications
BA Sociology
CPCAB Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Additional CPD Specific to Neurodiversity
Best Practice when Supporting Autistic Clients – Aspire Autism Consultancy
ADHD in The Therapy Room – Aspire Autism Consultancy
About me
I am a qualified Transactional Analysis (TA) Counsellor based near Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire. I’ve always been deeply curious about people—how their family systems, cultural backgrounds, and personal experiences shape who they are and how they relate to others. This lifelong interest eventually led me to discover Transactional Analysis, a powerful model for understanding human behaviour and communication. Inspired by its potential for positive change, I retrained as a TA Counsellor and now run my own private practice.
I work with both individuals and couples, supporting them through a wide range of emotional and mental health challenges. My counselling style is warm, collaborative, and rooted in the belief that everyone has the capacity for growth and change.
As someone with neurodiverse family members, I have both personal insight and professional understanding of the unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face in daily life. I know that each person’s experience is different, and I’m committed to offering an inclusive, supportive space for neurodivergent clients and those who support them.
Ways of Working
I work relationally, using Transactional Analysis (TA) to help people make sense of what’s happening in their lives—why certain patterns keep repeating, and what changes might lead to more satisfying outcomes. TA is one of the most accessible and practical forms of psychology, and I use it to support clients in developing greater self-awareness and understanding.
I truly believe that with insight into who we are today—shaped by our past experiences and relationships—we gain the ability to make different choices. That awareness opens the door to transformation, not only in how we feel, but also in how we relate to others.
A key part of my work involves psychoeducation—sharing TA concepts in a way that’s easy to understand and apply. I want clients to leave each session with something tangible: a deeper sense of well-being, and tools they can use to reinforce their learning and support real change in their everyday lives.
The counselling relationship is unique and deeply personal. To ensure we’re the right fit, I offer a free 20-minute introductory session, giving us both the chance to meet, explore what you’re looking for, and see how we might work together.
The Types of Issues I Support Neurodivergent Clients With
- Burnout
- Bullying
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Coping strategies
- Depression and low mood
- Difficulties within the workplace
- Emotional regulation
- Exploring neurodiversity issues
- OCD
- Relationships with family and partners
- Self-awareness
Qualifications
Diploma in Transactional Analysis Counselling (TA Works)
Certificate in Organisational and Educational Transactional Analysis (Groups and Teams in the System) (TA Works)
Certificate in Working with Couples (The Berne Institute)
In training to become a Certified Transactional Analyst (C)
Additional CPD Specific to Neurodiversity
Best Practice when Supporting Autistic Clients – Aspire Autism Consultancy
ADHD in The Therapy Room – Aspire Autism Consultancy
Working With Neurodivergent Couples and Relationships – Aspire Autism Consultancy
Topics include:
Inertia and Burnout
Anxiety
Post Traumatic Stress
Disordered Eating
Gender & Identity
Co-associated conditions
About me
I believe that counselling can be a transformative tool for personal growth, helping individuals improve their day-to-day well-being, overcome internal limitations, gain clarity in communication, and enhance their relationships with themselves and others.
With compassion, empathy, and understanding, I support adults facing challenges such as depression, low mood, anxiety, physical illness, grief and loss, and relationship issues. I have a deep interest in understanding both the internal and external experiences of people, grounding my work in Transactional Analysis (TA) therapy. This approach helps clients stay present-focused while exploring the impact of past events and future concerns, fostering positive change and transformation.
I am committed to a neuro-affirming approach that respects and embraces neurodiversity in all its forms. I offer a protected, inclusive space where clients can explore their experiences without fear of judgement or pressure to conform to societal norms.
Ways of Working
I am a Transactional Analysis (TA) trained counsellor and use TA theory and concepts in my work. TA counselling focuses on building and strengthening the Adult Ego State, our ‘here and now’ reality. I work collaboratively with clients to understand what is impacting them in the present, which may stem from past events or concerns about the future.
My intention is to empower clients to develop their autonomy and sense of self, to view themselves and their world differently and to facilitate positive change and transformation in their lives.
I am committed to continuous professional development and I regularly attend CPD training and supervision to ensure I offer the best support to my clients.
The Types of Issues I Support Neurodivergent Clients With
- Support when waiting for or having received a neurodivergence diagnosis
- Masking & exhaustion/burnout
- Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria
- Emotional dysregulation
- Depression and low mood
- Anxiety
- Low self-esteem
- Grief & loss
- Relationship issues
- Relationship with food and body
- Supporting Couples who are in neurodiverse and neurodivergent relationships
Qualifications
Foundation and Diploma Transactional Analysis Counselling – TA Works
Certificate in working with Couples – Berne Institute
Certificate in working therapeutically with clients outdoors – The Centre of Natural Reflection, Derbyshire
Additional CPD Specific to Neurodiversity
A Neuro-Affirming Approach to Working with Autistic Clients – Aspire Autism Consultancy
ADHD in The Therapy Room – Aspire Autism Consultancy
Working with Neurodivergent Couples and Relationships: A Neuro-Affirming Approach – Aspire Autism Consultancy
Attendance of Aspire Consultancy’s Monthly CPD Group focusing on Neurodiversity.
About me
As a Neurodivergent counsellor, obtaining a late diagnosis of ADHD in 2012, and with a neurodiverse family, I understand the importance of finding the right support. My passion for counselling was born from the desire to be the support I wished I had received when I was first diagnosed, a counsellor with more than just a textbook understanding of neurodivergence, who would be able to see beyond the stereotypes and work with the client to find ways to navigate life with a diagnosis, not in spite of it.
Ways of Working
I am an Integrative counsellor, blending three theories, Person-Centred, Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, to find the best balance for each individual. Whilst that may sound complicated, it means is that I am here to listen and really hear what you are saying without any judgement. We might look at what has happened in the past, or at tools to help manage the future, but each session is led by you.
I offer face-to-face counselling at Eastham Hall on the Wirral Peninsula. It is a lovely, peaceful setting and a safe space to explore what is happening for you, and what a diagnosis means for you, whether you suspect you may be neurodivergent, you are exploring diagnosis or have already received your diagnosis.
The Types of Issues I Support Neurodivergent Clients With
- Identity Exploration
- Anxiety and Depression
- Bereavement
- Fertility
- Life Changes
- Rejection Sensitivity
- Stress and Burnout
- Anger
- Limerence
- Aphantasia
- Relationship Difficulties
Qualifications
BSc (Open)
CPCAB Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
FIL Rainbow Baby Specialist
FIL Infertility Specialist
Additional CPD Specific to Neurodiversity
A Neuro-Affirming Approach to Working with Autistic Clients Aspire Autism Consultancy
Working With Neurodivergent Couples and Relationships-A Neuro-Affirming Approach-Aspire Autism Consultancy
ADHD in The Therapy Room – Aspire Autism Consultancy
ADHD Coaching – What is it and Who is it for? – Aspire Autism Consultancy
I am currently undertaking Aphantasia Therapist Training.
I also regularly attend online webinars held by ADDITUDE – The Grove, and attend the online ADHD Women’s Palooza each year.
OUR NEURO-AFFIRMING TRAINING
We offer CPD accredited courses designed to help therapists and healthcare professionals to deliver neuro-affirming care. All of our courses are live, online and interactive – featuring a panel of neurodivergent individuals who share their invaluable lived experiences.
WHAT WE OFFER
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