About me

My name is Debbie Challinor. Thank you for viewing my therapist profile! I am based in East Lancashire, surrounded by beautiful hills and nature. I am a neurodivergent, person-centred counsellor. I work with adults, couples, parents or carers, and young people aged sixteen and older, either face-to-face in the comfort of my private counselling room at home or through online counselling using a variety of secure, encrypted online platforms.

Alongside being a counsellor, I am a mum to two wonderful autistic adult children and a grandma to my daughter’s fabulous dogs. In my spare time, you can find me curled up with a bar of chocolate and a good book. 

I work with clients from all walks of life, especially those within the neurodivergent community, both self-identifying and diagnosed. In addition to the knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity gained during my five years as a support team member for the PDA Society, I have personal lived experience of PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), Autism, and ADHD. I have faced firsthand the joys and challenges that being neurodivergent can bring. This was a significant part of my motivation to train as a counsellor, which began with a deep curiosity about the unique challenges many individuals face when engaging in therapy, especially those on the spectrum. I feel passionately that everyone should have equal access to therapy and support. Over the years, as part of my neurodiverse family, I have gained extensive experience and specialised knowledge in this area, enabling me to provide tailored support to those seeking a greater understanding of themselves and their world.

Ways of Working

As a late-diagnosed AuDHD (autistic and ADHD) person-centred counsellor and psychotherapist, I am dedicated to supporting individuals, parents, carers, family members and couples within the neurodivergent community. I understand from personal experience that entering therapy can require vulnerability and courage. I value the significance of the therapeutic bond between counsellors and clients and take this responsibility seriously. I believe this personal insight and my empathic nature guide how I work as a therapist. 

As a qualified person-centred therapist, I take my lead from my clients in my work with individuals and relationships. I use a flexible, organic approach to counselling, incorporating psychological education, mindfulness, trauma work (in the form of polyvagal theory), somatic therapy, and other creative outlets alongside the core values of person-centred therapy. 

Couples/Relationship therapy: I create a calm, nonjudgmental space where both people feel equally heard. We work collaboratively to understand the roots of conflict and strengthen emotional bonds. Counselling sessions are tailored to your needs, whether you are navigating a crisis, rebuilding trust, or simply looking to understand the dynamics of your relationship better. I hope our therapeutic work will help you find a place where you can bettercommunicate and understand each other’s perspectives, thus developing a relationship that works for all parties.

Whether as an individual, a partner, a parent, a carer, or family member facing trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or simply seeking a better understanding of yourself and your experiences, I am here to help. Together, we can create a space where you, as the expert in your own experiences, are free to be who you are, unapologetically. I will support you as you explore your story, working together to help you make sense of your experiences and where these might take you in the future.

I understand firsthand what it’s like to feel misunderstood or to navigate systems that aren’t always designed for everyone. This experience fuels my passion to provide an inclusive, nonjudgmental space where clients can be seen, heard, and accepted for who they are. I strive to make my practice accessible to all, creating a safe and accommodating online and face-to-face environment, offering tailored support to ensure our sessions are comfortable, meaningful, beneficial, and, most importantly, meet your needs. 

If you’re ready to begin a journey of self-exploration, please reach out and schedule an initial free consultation by telephone, text, email, or online platforms.

The Types of Issues I Support Neurodivergent Clients With 

• Neurodiversity – including exploring late or misdiagnosis
• Pre and Post Diagnosis – Gaining greater clarity of your pre- and post-diagnostic lived experiences 
• Abuse
• Anxiety and stress
• Bereavement, grief, and loss – i.e., death, illness, loss of job, relationships, or missed opportunities
• Communication and conflict
• Confidence and low self-esteem – Identifying strengths and areas where you might need support. Exploring the impact of difference and diversity
• Demand Avoidance – including Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
• Depression and low mood
• Emotional regulation, including Sensory Overwhelm and Burnout – Exploring energy levels and managing the impact of burnout
• Interoception and Somatic Education – Developing ways of understanding and expressing emotions
• Parenting support – including Shared Parenting situations after a breakup or divorce, and support for other family members.
• Personal boundaries
• Psychological Education 
• Relationship and Family issues, including Neurodivergent relationships, partners, parents, siblings, divorce/separation, blended families, single parenting
• Rejection Sensitivity – Talking about sensitivity to rejection or feelings of abandonment
• Trauma – Understanding and processing trauma
• Work-based environmental challenges & advocacy

Qualifications

Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (University of Cumbria)

Advanced Certificate in Couples Therapy (NCIP Accredited Course)

BA Education and Special Educational Needs (Liverpool Hope)

Level 2 Counselling Skills

Level 2 Understanding Autism 

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Additional CPD Specific to Neurodiversity

ADHD in The Therapy Room – Aspire Autism Consultancy

Best Practice when Supporting Autistic Clients – Aspire Autism Consultancy 

Working with Neurodivergent Couples in Therapy – Aspire Autism Consultancy

Transforming Anxiety in Autism – Mindbody Breakthrough

Polyvagal Theory Training – Mindbody Breakthrough

Attendance at Aspire Consultancy’s Monthly CPD and Supervision Group focusing on neurodiversity.

Monthly Clinical Supervision with a Specialist in Neurodiversity