Counselling and Understanding ADHD, Autism and AuDHD
Living with ADHD, autism or AuDHD often means you’ve spent years adapting, coping and trying to “fit in” without ever having the language to explain why things felt harder for you than for others. Many adults arrive in therapy after a diagnosis, or simply because life has become overwhelming, relationships feel strained, or old strategies no longer work. Partners and families often come seeking clarity too.
My counselling approach offers a calm, steady space to understand your neurodivergence and how it has shaped your life.
Making sense of your experiences
ADHD, autism and AuDHD can influence:
- emotional intensity and overwhelm
- communication differences
- sensory sensitivities
- burnout, shutdowns or “functional freeze”
- difficulties with organisation, focus or motivation
- relationship patterns and family dynamics
These are not personal failings — they are understandable responses to a world that may not have recognised your needs.
Masking and Camouflaging
Many neurodivergent adults have spent years — often since childhood — learning to hide, soften or reshape their natural behaviours to fit into expected social norms. This is known as masking or camouflaging, and it can be exhausting.
Camouflaging generally has three components, each of which can take a toll on your wellbeing:
1. Compensation
This involves actively monitoring and adjusting your behaviour to appear “socially typical.” Examples include:
- tracking and adjusting your eye contact
- copying facial expressions or tone of voice
- rehearsing what to say or how to stand
- analysing how long to hold a posture or expression
- managing your voice, volume or enthusiasm
This constant internal monitoring can be draining, especially when you’re already overwhelmed.
2. Masking
Masking means suppressing your natural neurodivergent responses, even when they would help you regulate. This might look like:
- hiding stimming or soothing behaviours
- tolerating sensory overload far beyond your capacity
- forcing yourself to stay in environments that feel too loud, bright or chaotic
- pushing through discomfort to “fit in” or avoid judgement
Masking often becomes automatic, but it can lead to burnout, anxiety and emotional exhaustion.
Masking and RSD
Masking often becomes tangled with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) — the deep fear of being judged, criticised or rejected. RSD may not be voiced at the time, but it is felt intensely, and it can drive people to mask even more heavily.
What we explore in therapy
In counselling, we gently untangle:
- how masking and camouflaging have shaped your life
- the impact of stress, burnout and unmet needs
- why certain patterns keep repeating
- how your nervous system responds to pressure or change
- ways to communicate your needs with more confidence
- how to create a life that feels more sustainable and self accepting
For partners and families, sessions can also help you understand each other’s communication styles, emotional responses and support needs.
A neuro affirming approach
My work is grounded in compassion, curiosity and respect. I don’t aim to “fix” neurodivergence — instead, we focus on understanding it, reducing overwhelm, and building healthier ways of living and relating. Many clients describe this process as the first time their experiences have truly made sense.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, exploring traits, or supporting a loved one, counselling offers a safe place to reflect, learn and grow.
