Understanding Neurodiversity in Therapy: A Personal and Professional Perspective

Neurodiversity is a term that recognises and respects neurological differences as a natural and valuable part of human diversity. Conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and others are not seen as disorders to be fixed, but as variations in how brains can work. As a therapist, and as someone with lived experience of ADHD, this perspective deeply informs the way I work.

What Neurodiversity Means in the Therapy Room

Working with neurodivergent clients means acknowledging that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. People process, feel, and respond to the world in very different ways. For some, it may be a challenge to stay focused during sessions; for others, emotional regulation or sensory sensitivity may be a key issue. Understanding these nuances isn’t just helpful — it’s essential.

A common theme I see in therapy with neurodivergent clients is difficulty with emotional regulation. While this can look different for everyone, it’s often a core thread that we return to again and again. Because I’ve lived with these struggles myself, I can recognise what’s happening beneath the surface — the overwhelm, the shutdowns, the outbursts — not as flaws, but as signals of unmet needs. This helps me to offer a more compassionate, attuned space for clients to begin making sense of their emotional world.

My approach is integrative and flexible, drawing from a range of therapeutic tools to adapt to the individual. Whether I’m working with a child who struggles with attention and emotional overwhelm, or an adult navigating burnout and masking, my goal is to create a space where each person feels understood and accepted.

Lived Experience, Informed Practice

Having ADHD myself gives me a deeper connection to some of the internal experiences neurodivergent clients may face — the fast thoughts, the emotional intensity, the feeling of being 'too much' or not enough. I also know what it’s like to do something right 99 times, but still fixate on the one time it went wrong — and how easily that can spiral into self-doubt and dysregulation. That kind of pattern isn't just frustrating, it's exhausting, and I get how it can knock your confidence even when you're trying your best.

This doesn't mean I assume every client's experience matches mine — far from it. But it does mean that I can meet clients with a kind of attuned empathy that comes from knowing what it's like to live in a world not built for your brain.

I also understand the toll that misunderstanding, judgement, and unmet needs can take — particularly when those experiences begin in childhood and follow us into adult life. Therapy can be a powerful space to unpack those layers, to begin to separate your true self from the coping mechanisms you've had to develop just to get by.

Supporting Neurodivergent Children and Families

A significant part of my work involves supporting children and families, including those navigating the challenges that can come with autism, ADHD, and other forms of neurodivergence. Many of these children are adopted or in special guardianship arrangements, and may carry layers of trauma alongside their neurodivergence. In these cases, it’s vital to work relationally — building trust, understanding behavioural communication, and helping the child (and their family) make sense of what’s going on underneath.

I aim to support children not just in managing behaviour, but in feeling safe, seen, and regulated. And for parents or carers, I offer a space to think together about what their child might be needing, and how they can be supported in practical, compassionate ways.

Final Thoughts

Therapy with neurodivergent clients isn’t about “fixing” — it’s about listening, adapting, and respecting the richness of different ways of being. Whether you’re exploring your identity, processing trauma, or simply looking for a space where you don’t have to mask — you’re welcome here.

If you’d like to explore how therapy might support you or your child, feel free to get in touch.