Autism is not a disorder to be cured or a problem to be fixed. It is a different way of experiencing and engaging with the world — one that comes with genuine strengths as well as real challenges. Autistic adults deserve counselling that understands this: that is affirming, flexible and genuinely adapted to how they think and communicate.

Many adults who are autistic come to counselling not because of their autism itself, but because of the cumulative impact of living in a world that was not designed for them. Years of masking — suppressing natural behaviours and responses to fit in — can lead to profound exhaustion, burnout, anxiety and a disconnection from one's own sense of self. The experience of being misunderstood, dismissed or pathologised can leave deep marks.

Others come because they have received a late diagnosis and are trying to make sense of their life story in light of new understanding. A late autism diagnosis can bring enormous relief — finally, an explanation — alongside grief, anger and the complex task of reframing decades of experience.

I offer a counselling space that is genuinely adapted to autistic ways of being. I will not expect you to make eye contact, to communicate in a particular way, or to mask your natural responses. I will be direct, clear and consistent. I will not pathologise you. And I will bring genuine understanding — not just professional knowledge — to our work together.

I work from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective. This means I understand autism as a natural variation in human neurology — not a deficit, not a disorder, not something to be overcome. My aim is never to make you more neurotypical. It is to help you understand yourself more fully, live more comfortably in your own skin, and navigate the world on your own terms.

I adapt my communication style to suit you. I can be more direct and explicit than in standard counselling. I can provide more structure if that is helpful. I will not rely on subtle social cues or expect you to read between the lines. I will say what I mean, and I will welcome you saying what you mean.

I draw on Person-Centred Therapy — which places your experience, your values and your self-knowledge at the centre of our work — and Psychodynamic Therapy, which can help make sense of patterns, relationships and the impact of the past. I also draw on my extensive experience working with autistic people in community and healthcare settings.

I am aware that many autistic people have had negative experiences with mental health services — being misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or offered support that was not adapted to their needs. I take this seriously. Our first session is a chance for you to assess whether I am the right fit for you, with no obligation to continue.

Receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult — whether in your twenties, forties or beyond — can be a profound and complex experience. For many people, the initial response is relief: finally, an explanation for so much that has been confusing, difficult or painful. But alongside the relief often comes a wave of other feelings.

Grief for the years spent not knowing — and for the support, understanding and accommodations that might have made things easier. Anger at the systems and people who missed it. The need to reframe your entire life story. Questions about identity: am I autistic, or is autism just a label for how I am? What does this mean for my relationships, my work, my future?

Counselling can provide a space to work through all of this — at your own pace, without pressure to reach any particular conclusion. Many people find that processing a late diagnosis is one of the most important and liberating pieces of work they do.

We begin with a initial consultation — around 20 minutes — so you can get a sense of how I work and whether it feels right. I will be clear about what to expect, and I welcome questions.

Sessions are 50 minutes, held weekly. I offer face-to-face sessions in Sutton, and online or telephone counselling across the UK. Online sessions can be particularly helpful for autistic clients who find the sensory or social demands of travelling to a new environment challenging.