Counselling & psychotherapy in Todmorden
Hello, I'm Giles - an experienced counsellor and psychotherapist specialising in neurodivergence. I'm also autistic and ADHD. While my experience may be different to yours, you may find it useful to meet with someone who is autistic, late-diagnosed, has experience of parenting, relationships and the day to day challenges faced by neurodivergent people.
I offer a space to talk about anything you want - you may wonder about yourself as neurodivergent, are awaiting or have received a diagnosis or have family members with or without a diagnosis. You may not want to talk directly about autism or ADHD, but with someone who has an awareness of neurodiversity as a background framework.
explore
understand
change
I provide -
A familiarity with the struggles of autistic and ADHD people.
A place where you do not have to please or meet external expectations.
An opportunity to explore affirming frameworks with which to think about yourself.
The possibility to understand your history in a way that does not involve harsh self-criticism.
An exploration of ways of living which work for you.
A time where you can work at a pace comfortable for you.
Areas I can help with include -
Relating and socialising
Relating to others is a fundamental feature of our lives - friendships, family, partners and colleagues ask for different parts of us to be present. There can be differences in communication styles, in the expression of needs, in the seeking of security and how tension is dealt with. I think adapting to a relationship where one or more people are neurodivergent is a process of acceptance, rediscovery and, above all, compassionate practice.
The social world has traditionally posed many challenges for neurodivergent folk - from loneliness to sensory overwhelm to communication differences to 'not doing it right' conclusions. Finding your tribe, your way of being social, your rhythm and your rightful voice are all paths myself and the many neurodivergent people I've worked with have started to map out.
Employment
Work asks us to manage time and energy. It can raise questions about cooperation with others, processing information, boundaries, finding meaning, exploring ways to work that minimise overwhelm and disclosure of ones neurodivergence.
Identity and diagnosis
Accepting oneself as neurodivergent is an identity change. Whether you prefer to self-identify, lightly hold neurodiversity as a framework or have/intend to seek formal assessment this is a process, not an event, which involves looking at the past, present and futures of your life. The work here can involve knowing loss of self, opportunities and esteem but also rejuvenation, an awareness of social power structures and living with more authenticity.
Managing day to day living
I think it's vital to develop awareness of how one's nervous system can be knocked off balance leading to overwhelm and compromised functioning. We can work to understand how the world can impact you (from the sensory level to the emotional level), develop routines, anticipate change and find routes to a more balanced life.
Inner experiences
Friction between one's innate ways of being and the culture's narratives of how one should be can lead to feeling not enough, processes of anxiety or depression, loss of identity through masking and/or vulnerability to prioritising others' needs. We can seek routes to bring you into the centre of your life.
Family and parenting
Becoming a parent can be utterly overwhelming for neurodivergent people. Loss of time to recharge, attending to children's needs, sensory overwhelm, physiological and identity changes can present enormous demands. Exploring support, addressing your needs, a sharing of care and the roles you may feel you must fulfil are all significant areas to explore.