I welcome clients who identify as neuro-diverse and I empathise with late-identified autistic adults who have spent their lives ‘masking’.
Some people find working with a therapist online suits them very well, as it cuts out the stress of having to travel or meet in person, arrangements can be very flexible and you can see your therapist from the comfort of your own home.
Other people find working with a therapist through a computer screen difficult. That’s why I also offer a telephone-based service – I can phone you at a pre-arranged time so there is no need for you to make a call.
Important: I am not qualified to carry out autism assessments or to give you a clinical diagnosis.
I am, however, sensitive to the needs of neuro-diverse clients, and whether you are tentatively exploring the possibilities or you have gone ahead with a full clinical diagnosis, you will find me empathic.
Here are some books that I’ve found helpful:
Kathleen May’s books have been a gentle revelation. Wintering is a wise book about our need to retreat from time to time; The Electricity of Every Living Thing is Kathleen’s personal story of discovering her own autism. Kathleen has a vibrant online community and offers journaling prompts, a blog, a podcast and an online book club.
Steph Jones’s Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy is an enjoyable, funny and honest look at what works in therapy for autistic people – and what doesn’t. Steph is an autistic psychotherapist.
Devon Price’s book, Unmasking Autism, is the book I recommend to clients who are wondering if they are autistic. It’s big but very readable, combining Devon’s own personal experiences with case studies and the findings from surveys and research.
Dr Neff’s Self-Care for Autistic People is the best book I’ve found for giving autistic people strategies for thriving. It’s a small hardback densely packed with ideas and great for dipping into.