Maria de Ridder

About me

Many of the people I work with have spent years feeling that they are “too much”, “not enough”, or somehow different from everyone else. Some come to therapy following a diagnosis of autism or ADHD in adulthood, while others are questioning whether neurodivergence might explain experiences they’ve carried throughout their lives.

Growing up in a world that isn’t designed for neurodivergent minds can lead to years of masking, exhaustion, anxiety, low self-worth and feeling misunderstood. Therapy offers a space where you don’t have to mask or explain yourself. Together, we can begin to understand your experiences through a neuro-affirming lens, making sense of how your nervous system, relationships and life experiences have shaped the person you are today.

My work combines Transactional Analysis psychotherapy with attachment theory, relational psychotherapy and trauma-informed practice. TA is particularly helpful in exploring the beliefs we develop about ourselves through early relationships and repeated life experiences. For many neurodivergent people, these beliefs can include feelings of being “wrong”, “too sensitive”, “too emotional”, or needing to hide parts of themselves in order to be accepted. Together, we explore these patterns with compassion, helping you move away from self-criticism and towards greater self-understanding and self-acceptance.

I work with autistic adults, ADHDers, AuDHD individuals and those exploring whether they may be neurodivergent. Alongside neurodivergence, I support clients experiencing anxiety, burnout, relationship difficulties, trauma, emotional overwhelm, perfectionism, rejection sensitivity, low self-esteem and major life transitions. I have considerable experience of working with people who identify as LGBTQ+ but I work with people of all sexualities.