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Neurodivergent Affirming Counselling
Discovering you are autistic later in life can bring profound relief — finally, there is a framework that explains so much. Yet it can also stir up complex emotions: grief for the years spent misunderstood, anger at missed support, confusion about how to move forward, and fear about what embracing this identity might mean. You may find yourself questioning past experiences, relationships, or life choices through a new lens. You might feel both the liberation of self-understanding and the weight of societal stigma at the same time. This is a tender, often disorienting process — and it deserves space, compassion, and care.
Many late-identified autistic adults arrive at counselling already in — or recovering from — autistic burnout. This is a deep, chronic exhaustion of mind, body, and spirit, often triggered by years of masking, unmet sensory needs, social demands, and navigating environments that don't fit. Autistic burnout is not simply "stress" or "fatigue" — it can affect every area of life, including emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory tolerance, and self-esteem. In our work together, we can focus on recognising the signs of burnout, restoring nervous system balance, setting sustainable boundaries, and reconnecting with your needs and rhythms. Healing from burnout is possible — and learning to live in a way that honours your neurotype is a vital part of long-term wellbeing.
At Karuna Therapeutic Services, I support late-identified autistic adults in exploring this journey at your own pace.
Together, we can hold space for your grief, celebrate your self-discovery, and gently begin to weave a future that honours your true self. Counselling here is collaborative. Together, we work toward greater integration — meaning a deeper connection between your mind, body, emotions, and identity — so you can reclaim a sense of control, hope, and self-trust. Through exploration, reflection, and practical tools, we aim to create more ease in your daily life, empower you to draw on existing strengths and experiment with body-based practices.
I integrate traditional psychotherapeutic counselling with body-based methods, such as breathwork, EFT, parts work and somatic awareness, recognising the powerful connection between emotional distress and physical experiences. These approaches can be particularly supportive for neurodivergent adults who experience sensory overwhelm, shutdowns, or a sense of disconnection from their bodies.
What Our Work Together Might Look Like
Counselling with me is flexible, collaborative, and shaped by what you need most. Together, we might explore:
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Making sense of your late identification
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Processing grief, anger, or relief
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Understanding and recovering from autistic burnout
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Exploring masking, unmasking, and authentic living
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Rebuilding trust in your body and sensory experiences
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Strengthening self-advocacy, boundaries, and self-compassion
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Creating a life that honours who you are
You don’t need to have it all figured out. We’ll go at a pace that feels safe, supportive, and true to you. The fact that you are here, reading this, means you have already taken your first step toward change. Change can feel unsettling, even frightening at times — but it can also be exhilarating and life-affirming. Everyone deserves a life free from chronic inner turmoil. Healing is possible — and you don't have to do it alone. Use the contact form below or book online for an initial chat and we can begin this journey together!
