What Does Counselling or Coaching Look Like With Me?
This is probably my most opening common question. And such an important one for those of us with neurodivergent brains. How do I know if this would be helpful if I can't get a mental picture of what it would look like?
Counselling or coaching with me will look very different than standard counselling or coaching you may have had before. I am a neurodivergent therapist and that is reflected in every aspect of my practice. Obviously, we can start wherever you want to start, but I find a good place is with what I call "Autism 101" or "ADHD 101". Some sharing of information and ideas, some useful terminology, some raising of useful concepts, some new ways of framing or thinking about the things you may have been experiencing as issues.
Have you ever heard of different processing styles and what they mean for us? Do you know what executive functioning is and how that can affect us? Do you know how being dysregulated affects us, and the things you can do to regulate yourself? Have you heard of the ADHD motivators and how to incorporate them into your everyday life to help you initiate tasks and keep focused? There's so much basic information about our neurotypes that most of us don't hear until long after we really needed to.
It's easy to feel that you're stuck, or that there's no point talking to a counsellor because you don't really know what you're feeling, or you're just at capacity and can't take any more in. This is where I can help - I have genuine lived experience which is likely to be similar to yours. I have useful information to share which can give you insight into how your brain functions (and doesn't!) and can give you a starting point. Real understanding of yourself and your needs can help you make changes which make a real difference to your life.
Counselling or coaching? Counselling is the best option if you are stuck, are not sure what you need, if you have difficult situations in your life you need to talk through, or things you need to process. Counselling involves looking back and seeing how past experiences are shaping your feelings and behaviour today. Coaching is a more immediate option - this is about discussing change, defining your goals and working out how to reach them, identifying limiting factors, discussing processes which work with your strengths, and keeping accountability for making those changes.
Just fill in the contact form if you'd like to book a free, no obligation 30 minute discovery video chat with me, to see if I might be able to help you.