People seek therapy for all kinds of challenges—anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, burnout, relationship difficulties, and navigating life’s transitions. Traditional counselling often assumes a neurotypical way of thinking and experiencing the world, which can sometimes leave neurodivergent experiences overlooked.
As an AuDHD therapist myself (Autistic and ADHD), I understand firsthand the unique challenges that neurodivergent people can face. I tailor my approach to suit how you process and experience the world, rather than asking you to fit into neurotypical expectations. Neurodivergence isn’t something that needs to be 'fixed' in therapy. Instead, I focus on supporting you with the challenges that can impact your mental health and wellbeing—including those that might arise from masking or adapting yourself to meet neurotypical norms. My approach takes into account how being neurodivergent might shape your experience of these challenges and influences the most effective ways of supporting you—so therapy feels relevant, practical, and truly suited to you.
Therapy should help you live well as you are, not squeeze you into a mould that doesn’t fit. That way, you can feel more at home in yourself, live authentically, and celebrate the unique strengths and perspectives your neurodivergence brings.
What you might be dealing with
You might be experiencing:
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Masking and burnout — hiding parts of yourself until you’re utterly drained.
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Anxiety and low self-esteem — after years of being told you’re “too much” or “not enough”.
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Relationship stress — difficulties being understood by partners, family, or colleagues.
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Life transitions — job changes, university, moving house, parenthood — which can feel overwhelming without the right support.
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Executive function struggles — time management, organisation, motivation, or just the mental load of juggling life.
If you recognise yourself in that list, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it all out alone either.
Late-diagnosed/late-realised Autism and ADHD
Being diagnosed with Autism or ADHD in adulthood can stir up a lot of feelings — relief that things finally make sense, grief for the years you went unsupported, even anger that no-one noticed earlier. Counselling gives you space to process that, understand how your wiring shapes your world, and begin to rebuild self-acceptance on your own terms.
Self-identification
Self-identification is a totally valid and acceptable way of understanding yourself. Many people recognise signs of Autism or ADHD in themselves long before they ever receive a formal diagnosis — and some may never access a diagnosis at all. You know your own mind and experiences better than anyone else, and if identifying as Autistic or ADHD helps you make sense of your world, that’s completely okay. Therapy doesn’t depend on a piece of paper or an official label. What matters is how you experience life, what challenges you face, and what support helps you to feel more at ease in yourself. Whether you’re diagnosed, self-identifying, or simply exploring possibilities, your experiences and needs are valid.
What therapy with me is like
Counselling sessions with me are relaxed and run at your pace. You don’t need to mask, make eye contact, or sit still if that doesn’t feel right. Whether you decide to have online counselling or join me in-person, you can bring fidgets, take movement breaks, or just show up as you are. This is your space.
We’ll focus on what feels most important to you — whether that’s making sense of the past, finding strategies that actually work for everyday life, or building more confidence in who you are.
Taking the next step
If any of this has resonated with you, know that you don’t have to carry it all on your own. Reaching out for counselling can feel daunting, but it’s also a step towards feeling more grounded, more understood, and more at home in yourself.
If you’d like to explore working together, the easiest way to get in touch is to email me directly at hello@joanneflatt.co.uk or use the contact form. From there, we can arrange a free initial 15 minute chat so we can get a feel for whether we might be a good fit.