Neuroaffirmative therapy and neuroaffirmative counselling means accepting people without trying to change them. It’s used in relation to neurodiversity where people often try to mask their behaviour so they fit in. Unfortunately this means denying your true self and living in a false, inauthentic way. This can never be mentally healthy and will never lead to a sense of fulfilment and contentment.

Neuroaffirmative therapy helps you see your strengths and learn how to live from them. It also helps you to see the problems you have and what might cause them so that you can find helpful and healthy ways of working with them. A neuroaffirmative counsellor can help you do this in a supportive way through listening and understanding.

The Need for Neuroaffirmative Therapy

Often when we come for counselling or therapy we have the assumption that there is something ‘wrong’ with us. If you have a diagnosed neurodiversity ‘disorder’ or condition, or you suspect you might have, this is often the belief. But making it something to be treated misses the point that it is a core part of who you are.

Being atypical and therefore not fitting into statistically-average categories actually makes it a gift, not a problem. Society may view it as a problem and not be geared for it, but that doesn’t mean its true.

A neuroaffirmative therapist, like me, should help you learn more about yourself and how to live in a happier way. Some skills training may be useful, but only to help you live in a more contented fulfilling way, not to change you. For example, learning mindfulness and emotional regulation can help with sensory overload, or anxiety about upcoming events and activities.

How I can help

I am a person-centred neuroaffirming counsellor with a background in mindfulness meditation teaching and solution-focused brief therapy. I am comfortable with all forms of neurodiversity including autism, ADHD/ADD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and synaesthesia and those which aren’t traditionally viewed as being neurodiverse, e.g. Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) and Empaths and Gifted Adults. These people often feel isolated from society because of the way their brains and nervous systems work and so can benefit from neuroaffirming counselling.

As an online therapist and counsellor, I am available to help regardless of where in the UK you may be. Sessions cost £40 per hour but with flexibility around session length and whether they are regularly-scheduled or flexible. If you want to see if I can help, fill in the contact form and we can arrange an initial, free, no-obligation 30-45 minute discussion.