AuDHD Therapy: A Neuro-Affirming Approach Matters!
For many neurodivergent (ND) adults in the UK, traditional therapy can sometimes feel like another place where you have to “mask” or perform. You might have experienced a “power-over” dynamic where a therapist acts as the expert on your life, rather than a collaborator in your journey.
As a bi-racial, AuDHD therapist, I’ve moved away from standard Western "one-size-fits-all" models. Instead, I focus on neuro-affirming therapy an approach that celebrates your neurotype rather than trying to "fix" it.
Moving Beyond Neuronormativity
In many clinical settings, autism and ADHD are viewed through a "deficit" lens. This is what I call neuronormativity, the societal pressure to think, work, and socialise like a neurotypical person.
When therapy ignores the impact of colonialism and individualism, it can leave marginalised or neurodivergent clients feeling "othered." On my mission to genuinely make therapy feel more inclusive, I have incorporated Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) into my practice, which prioritises:
- Power-With Dynamics: I feel it’s important to note, while I advocate for this dyanmic, the therapist-client relationship isn’t exactly a perfect level playing field. As a therapist I bring my years of professional training and a third party perspective view, helping me see the blind spots we all naturally have as human beings. However, to equalise the relationship as best as possible - I will name these observations transparently (when the time is safe and suitable!), offering them as a piece of puzzle for us to explore together. My goal is empower your autonomy, not to oppress it.
- Relational Attunement: This is the process in which I meet you exactly where you are. For ND folks, this often means I’m paying attention to more than just our conversation, I am attuning to your energy, your sensory comfort, and the ‘unspoken’ parts of your experience. It is a ‘right brain to right brain’ connection, a connection where you feel truly felt, rather than just heard.
- Cultural Sensitivity: And of course, without acknowledging your background, racial identity and how your ND intersects, I would be perpetuating harm and oppression; this will always be held with respect.
The “Head and Heart” Approach to Integration
My style of integrative therapy combines several modalities to support the AuDHD brain:
- Person-Centred Foundation: Providing a safe, non-judgemental “container” for your experiences.
- Somatic & Gestalt Work: Many ND folks live “in their heads” to survive. I use embodied processing to help you reconnect with your body’s signals.
- Neuro-Informed CBT: Using structure and psychoeducation to support executive dysfunction and alexithymiawithout the pressure to conform.
Healing Through Connection
If you’re looking for ADHD and autism support, possibly someone who has some idea’s on the lived experience of exhaustion from masking and the depth of neurodivergent burnout, feel free to reach out and we can take it from there :)
The “goal” of our work isn’t to align you with “normal” because what is “normal” anyways?! Let’s create a space where you can move towards a secure way of relating to yourself and the world. By practicing creative indifference to societal expectations, we can start helping you build a life where you don’t always have to brace through it all.
In case you wanted to look further into RCT:
Comstock, L, D., Hammer, R,T., Strentzsch, J., Cannon, K., Parsons, J. and II, S, Gustavo. (2008) ‘Relational-culture theory: a framework for bridging relational, multicultural, and social justice competences’