Counselling and Mentoring Services in Petts Wood & Online
Autism and Neurodivergence
"We need to change the world, not the way autistic people are."
Greta Thunberg
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 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 to 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 (16+) 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 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
"The reality is … you will not ‘get over’ the loss, you will learn to live with it."
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Grief and loss can be overwhelming and may feel like you are alone following the death of a loved one. Other people may move on and not understand how you feel isolated 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 reflect on your loss, to be heard in confidence and begin to adapt to a new life, maintaining on-going bonds with those who have died whilst supporting development of practical coping strategies to adjust to your new life.
I carried out my bereavement training at my local hospice and continue to see clients both there and privately. I support bereaved adults and adolescents (16+).
I also support clients with: pet bereavements and other losses, such as loss of health, relationships, employment and financial security.
Trauma
"Trauma is a fact of life: it does not however, have to be a life sentence."
Peter LeVine
Many of us have traumatic experiences throughout our lives: this may be single events or everyday trauma caused by living in a way which does not fit our needs or when something wrong done to us, such as abuse, neglect, discrimination, invalidation.
Some traumatic memories are not fully processed by the brain and can persist, leading to emotional overwhelm, dissociation, numbness, flashbacks, and 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 a Level 6 qualification in Trauma Therapy and continued learning in this area.
Counselling for Life
"The act of revealing oneself fully to another and still being accepted may be the major vehicle of therapeutic help."
Irvin Yalom
There may be times of life where you find yourself facing difficult situations, experiences or changes which may be outside of your 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 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, please contact me. I offer a free 20-minute online consultation to give us the opportunity to discuss the reasons you are seeking 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.