Neurodivergent Counsellor, Coach & Education Consultant
I'm Sandra (she/they), a neurodivergent narrative therapy & somatic attachment practioner, teacher & parent who works with neurodivergent people (and those who support them) in schools, home, work & life get unstuck and design lives (and spaces!) that work.
About who I work with
The people I work with are neurodivergent. They can be of any race or ethnicity, gender or sexuality but they have a politicised lens or are actively learning to see the world as it is. They may be new to their diagnosis or new to learning about how to manage it, but they are ready to learn about themselves and what they need to be at their best. I don't call the people I work with "clients" because that puts labels on our relationship. It assumes that I'm an expert on you and that you're paying me to tell you what to do next. But I think that we are working together but you know yourself best, I just ask the questions and offer the support to help you uncover those skills, talents and knowledge again.
I work with people who are ready to learn about their own humanity and what it means for them to live from that place. They are unlearning harmful coping strategies, but understanding the ways that they have been helpful in the past. They are questioning old narratives and beliefs they have about themselves and looking for the ways that they have always known their power. They know that they are not perfect and see how society has played a huge role in how they've learned to see themselves and others. The people I work with recognise that social discourse keeps them limited and small so they are willing to get to know what their body is telling them they need and do what it takes to rebuild that relationship with themselves again.
They strive to be better humans for themselves and those around them so they come ready to do the work but know they are NEVER alone while doing it.
My background & How I do this work
I use a narrative therapy approach combined with a somatic attachment therapy lens while supporting neurodivergent people with relearning what they need to be at their best. My background is in education so I use this with my coaching when working through the ways that the people I work with manage their unique neurodivergence (not just limited to ADHD or being autistic either ). I have an MA in Educational Psychology and post-graduate certificates in EAL, Gifted Education and SEN. I'm also a specialist educator in Personalised Learning. I have done studies (and continues to learn more) on intersectionality and social justice. I am trauma-responsive and work to be culturally sensitive and queer affirming.
I want you to feel more comfortable in your own skin so you can finally enjoy life on your terms. We'll work together to get to know the different parts of you and how they've worked to support you in the past and whether they are needed in the same capacity as they were. We can slowly unravel the limiting beliefs that are keeping you stuck and start to recognise all the ways that you've used your power to support you in the past and how you can use that again. There are many ways that you've resisted the oppressions and difficulties you've faced in your life so far and together we'll uncover them so you can choose more expansive and empowering narratives to live by.
What I believe & What matters to Me about our time together
I believe people are people and problems are problems. When we're labeled as problems it's harder for us to see other solutions that are possible. I know that we are shaped by the world around us and our solutions to our problems keep that in mind, but we are still not the problem and we never were. I help you know that and find evidence of that in your life while you learn to feel more empowered and confident to make the changes you want to make in your life.
You are the expert on you, not me. I will not have all your answers so feel free to ask question or correct what I suggest about the problems in your life as we explore what you need together. I want you to feel like you are leading these sessions and that what you say matters. I work to be non-blaming and non-opppressive while supporting you in developing a better connection with your body at the same time (something that is very tricky for many neurodivergent people). I want you to feel seen, listened to and heard because this is your life and I want to help you you remember that you've always known what you need to live at your best.
Ready to get started? Click below to book a counselling session with me: