Autism and learning disability specialist therapy in Staffordshire
I’m a specialist in working therapeutically with autistic children and young people, and those with diagnoses of learning disabilities, global developmental delay, and other forms of neurodiversity. Neurodiversity is of course not a “presenting problem” – but living in a world designed for non-neurodiverse people, and the often co-occurring chronic distress, dysregulation, and difficulties in communicating to those who understand social communication differently can lead to feelings of isolation, othering, and burnout.
I have worked extensively with children and young people who use methods of communication that can be challenging for the people around them to understand, particularly non-speaking children, and children who communicate behaviourally or in ways that might risk harm. One of the beautiful things about a psychoanalytic approach is that I use observational skills to get alongside the child, where they are at, as they show me their experience of the world and living in it, and communicate in the ways they need to. I can then work to make sense of this, both supporting the child in their self-understanding, but crucially in assisting their families and networks around them to digest and understand what is happening.
I offer network support and will commonly visit settings such as school to consider the environment and possible adjustments in the holistic support around the child or young person. I can also support with observational assessments and reports around support and care-needs for schools, and other teams, and offer staff support. I also offer tailored advocacy for families navigating often confusing healthcare and educational systems.
Please see my about psychotherapy page for more information.