Counselling and Mentoring Services in Petts Wood & Online
Autism and Neurodivergence
My experience of supporting autistic individuals spans nearly 20 years. Originally working in schools and for local authorities, I recognised how individual needs often went unmet, and felt that a nurturing, person-centred approach could enable neurodivergent individuals to have their voices heard, to advocate for themselves and break down the barriers obstructing their success. My counselling and mentoring practice has been built on these foundations.
I use a blend of counselling and mentoring, in a person-centred approach extensively in my practice and witness how, within the right environment, with the right support, clients can openly explore their own identities, gain understanding of the world around them, increase their physical and mental well-being and live authentically.
I support reasonable adjustments and flexibility within the therapy space and try to accommodate clients who may otherwise find counselling inaccessible.
I work with adults and adolescents (14+) who may have one or more diagnoses - autism, ADHD, dyspraxia for example - as well as those self-identifying as neurodivergent. I have particular experience supporting late-diagnosed autistic women and girls.
I support family members living with neurodivergent children, family members or partners.
My experience includes: post diagnosis support; emotional-based school avoidance; transition through education, college, university and employment; the relationship between autism and trauma; workplace support and identification of reasonable adjustments; anxiety, OCD, traumatic thoughts; emotional regulation techniques; identifying and managing sensory sensitivities.
Bereavement, Loss & Grief
I understand how grief and loss can feel overwhelming and it may seem like you are alone following the death of a loved one. Other people may move on and not understand how you feel stuck in your grief and unable to move forward in your life. You may have complex or conflicting emotions – guilt, anxiety, relief - which feel difficult to unravel or share.
In bereavement support, I provide a therapeutic space to consider the consequences of your loss, to be heard in confidence and begin to adapt to a new life whilst maintaining on-going bonds with those who have died, supporting development of practical coping strategies to adjust to your new life.
I trained within my local hospice and continue to support clients there and privately.
Trauma
Many of us will have traumatic experiences throughout our lives – whether these are major events or more everyday trauma caused by living within a world which does not fit our needs – abuse, neglect, discrimination, invalidation.
Traumatic memories are not fully processed by the brain and can persist, leading to emotional overwhelm, dissociation, numbness, flashbacks, or nightmares. It may feel like the traumatic experiences are reoccurring over and over in your present life rather than in your past.
I am a trauma-informed therapist with on-going intensive training in this area.
Counselling for Life
There may be times of life where we find ourselves facing difficult situations, experiences or changes which may be outside of our control. You may have an inner voice which suggests there is something wrong with you or you are not good enough.
The therapeutic space can provide the right environment, at the right time to begin to unravel your situation and life events to understand why you might feel this way and how you might reconnect with the right pathway for you. To move forwards with greater self-belief, confidence and assurance.
Areas of support include: anxiety, panic and stress; life transitions such as age related issues, menopause, children leaving home; difficulties at work; relationship and family conflict; addiction; abuse; self-harm; suicidal ideation; sleep issues; navigating identity.
Get In Touch
If you are considering counselling and would like to learn more about how I work, you are welcome to get in touch. I offer a free 20-minute online consultation to give us the opportunity to talk about what has brought you to seek support and whether counselling with me may be helpful for you.
You can contact me by email or phone, or use the contact form to arrange an initial conversation.
Online sessions available, as well as face-to-face sessions in Petts Wood.