Counselling & Shiatsu

Author: amyshiatsuexeter

  • Counselling and Shiatsu for ADHD, AuAustism, Autism, Dyslexia and More – Exeter, Devon

    Yes, I’m talking about this again! Yes, it’s important!

    There is a lot of talk about people being diagnosed with ADHD. This is because there is a better understanding of the condition, particularly in terms of how it is displayed in females.

    There are more and more people identifying as AuADHD and feeling a sense of relief, and understanding of themselves.

    The understanding of what Autism looks like and how it should be supported is also changing

    Also the understanding of Sensory Processing Disorder has really expanded. People with ADHD, AuADHD, Autism and Dyslexia can now recognise the extra pressures and/ or input they are managing every day

    Most neurodiverse people have been on a journey, even with an early diagnosis. There is a lot of stigma around these conditions. There is a lot of learning and understanding needed, to be comfortable and confident about the reasons you may act a certain way,

    People with ADHD have often heard a much higher percentage of negative comments than those who are neurotypical. Neurodiverse people are very likely to have been bullied or critisied by their peers.

    There is a lot to unpick!

    Affirming and supportive therapy can really help. I’ve seen it, I’ve experienced it!

    If you are interested in finding out more about Counselling or Shiatsu then get in touch through the contact me page

    Beautiful Autumnal Colours, outside the therapy space

  • Counselling and Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon

    Counselling and Shiatsu, Exeter, Devon

    It’s a dreary day here in Exeter and I’ve arrived early for school pick up….

    …..it does give me the opportunity to say I hope you get a sense of the therapy I offer from past blogs….but I have been thinking recently about what I do offer, and to whom…

    (I have pretty much the same client base for Counselling and Shiatsu)

    So as I have been on my own path of understanding mine and my kids neurodiversity…

    ..I have been working more and more with amazing clients facing challenges and learning to understand their own ADHD, AuADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia and Dyselxia….men, women, children and teens

    As I experience the Perimenopause/ Menopause I have been working with women facing this alongside me..

    I’ve always worked to support women with hormonal imbalances, around menstruation mostly… 

    The ‘biggy’ is when Hormones and neurodiversity clash…..boy this can be hard and challenging…Counselling and Shiatsu can support this so well…

    I also work a lot with chronic fatigue and low energy levels

    My Counselling is affirming but I will question, both the client and myself and only when is therapeutically helpful.

    Do get in touch if you want to discuss if and how I may be able to support you.

    🙏🌧🙏🌧🙏🌧🙏

  • Menopause, ADHD, AuADHD, Autism and Counselling – Exeter, Devon

    I am a late diagnosed ADHD woman. It became clear that I was ADHD when I realised both my sons were.

    I always knew I was different, I just isn’t know how….sound familiar?

    I am also experiencing the Perimenopause period of life, I am very close to being officially Menopausal. (This is classed as 12 months since your last period – I’m counting the months!)

    I am going through it with the hormonal changes….boy it’s been tough at times.

    It is obvious that my ADHD symptoms are more pronounced now, and cause me more challenges. Sound familiar?

    I have been supporting women for well over a decade with Shiatsu and now also offering Counselling.

    Throughout the female life hormones play such a massive role.

    They can impact ADHD, AuADHD and Autism pretty dramatically, most noticeably in puberty and Menopause.

    Woman who are ADHD, AuADHD or Autistic can be missed diagnosed, or misunderstood, quite easily.

    Often late diagnosed woman have managed, and masked their symptoms, brilliantly.

    But often there is a belief that there is something wrong, that they have mental health issues, that they need to do something to change themselves.

    The Perimenopausal/ Menopausal period can be super tough. Some women stop being able to function, or work.

    Both with Counselling and Shiatsu I can offer support in this challenging time.

    Helping client’s understand what might be happening for them and reflecting and processing on their life and experiences.

    I work in a cosy cabin, at home, in Exwick, Exeter.

    If you aren’t near Exeter or don’t want to travel I offer online appointments.

    Do get in touch, through the contact me page.

  • ADHD, AuADHD and Autism burnout. Counselling support, Exeter, Devon

    This is a thing! An absolute thing.

    It can be really common to feel high levels of daily fatigue with ADHD, AuADHD and Autism.

    Burnout is a whole other level of exhaustion, fatigue, inertia, collapse…an inability to function or even think.

    There is so much processing, and managing, happening for people with ADHD, AuADHD or Autism. …

    Sensory overload….scanning to understand expectations of those around them….fast paced thoughts…racing mind….

    Then potentially a constant internal questioning, quizzing, criticising…..

    Plus all the planning and preempting or crisis managing…

    So quite a lot is happening all the time in neurodivergent brain….it’s really not a surprise that burnout happens.

    Counselling can help people with ADHD, AuADHD and Autism

    Counselling can be breathing space, a chance to gain perspective, to stop (even for a minute ot two!)

    Counselling may build confidence and a sense of self, an understanding of the values that are important to the individual.

    Having a chance to step out of life can help those with ADHD, AuADHD and Autism. It may slow down the speeding brain.

    Processing and gaining insight into the difficulties that we face in life can provide a sense of security.

    All these aspects of counselling may help a neurodivergent person identify and recognise the signs of burn out.

    Counselling may help manage the fallout of a ADHD, AuADHD or Autistic burnout.

    If you are in the Exeter area I offer face to face sessions in a cabin at my home. I’m in Exwick, on the west side of Exeter. It is a 15 minute walk from Exeter St. David’s train station.

    If you don’t live in, or near, Exeter then I offer online sessions.

    If you feel you may benefit from counselling with me then do get in touch through the contact me page.

  • ADHD and Counselling, Exeter, Devon

    I am banging on about this a lot at the moment……that’s because I think it’s super important.

    Yes there is a lot of talk about ADHD, it seems lots of people are being diagnosed…..ACTUALLY there is more understanding of what ADHD looks like now so more peole relate to it…AND…this country has been very slow on diagnosing in the past.

    There are lots of people offering ADHD coaching out there….excellent, dont get me wrong, this is a brilliant service.

    The ADHD brain struggles with structure and planning so why not look for eternal support with this.

    However a lot of people with ADHD have experienced a lack of understanding or support. Particularly those who were diagnosed later in life. Counselling can really help.

    On top of life’s traumas and struggles people with ADHD often arrive at counselling with a belief there is something wrong with, or at least, different about them.

    People with ADHD often feel they aren’t worth much, they have often received a lot of negative comments which have been internalised.

    They may also experience Rejection Sensitivity Disorder, feeling anything, and everything, that comes their way so deeply and painfully.

    Counselling can be a space to unpack and understand some of the challenges living with ADHD can bring. 

    Counselling may even put a new slant or perspective on life. Also lets not forget that we can celebrate and appreciate the positive aspects of ADHD.

    Not the bluest, or clearest sky….but a reminder that ADHDers are known for their blue sky thinking

    Also counselling with me is a safe space that is non judgemental and most importantly deeply accepting.

    Many people with ADHD have received the message that they should be, or could be, acting differently. We should all be recognised for we are.

    I am going to shout out about how important I think counselling is for ADHDers. Actually for anyone who feels different, or is neurodiverse.

    Whether it’s counselling with me, or someone else who resonates better, I say give it a try.

    I offer counselling from home in Exwick, Exeter and online.

    Do email me at amycounsellingexeter@gmail.com or head to the contact me page if you feel you’d like to.

  • Counselling, ADHD, Autism, AuADHD and Sensory Processing – Exeter, Devon

    When you know, you know….sensory processing issues can cause so many issues and make life super tiring..

    …once you realise the extent that this can impact a neurodivergent person you can’t unsee it….it can get in the way of nearly everything

    Having counselling with someone who understands the possible impacts of ADHD, Autism and AuADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia can be such a relief.

    I have ADHD lived experience. I am ADHD and so are my children.

    There’s a child in here!

    My youngest as extreme sensory processing disorder. He struggles with so much and is constantly searching receiving too many signals for some senses….

    …He is constantly searching for more signals for other senses….the photo above is him looking for more proprioceptive signals!

    I have worked with clients who are Dyspraxic and Dyslexic and those who have Autistism or ADHD.

    There is so much understanding now about how Neurodiverse people experience the world…..and that is great…

    …but there is so much now sometimes it’s hard to understand how it impacts and individual..

    ..and also each person is so very different it is important to recognise the individual’s experience.

    Having space to process how you feel, to test how your thoughts feel when expressed to another, to take time to reflect on life events can all help.

    I work in a cabin, at home, in Exwick, Exeter, Devon. I offer online sessions as well.

    Do head to the contact me page to get in touch or email amycounsellingexeter@gmail.com

  • Counselling, Neurodivergence and Autumn her in Exeter.

    Counselling, Neurodivergence and Autumn her in Exeter.

    Well gosh the whole of September, and now into October, one or more of our house hold has been ill….

    I have been watching Autumn truly appear here in Exeter, Devon. (I’ve either been in my bed or caring for others in their beds!)

    I love being out in the change of season (and there’s still time yet) but I’m reminded that the seasons changing can impact our moods, no matter how aware we are.

    For me this is a special change of season…..but it can feel a lot.

    With the temperatures changing, sometimes freezing in the morning and full on sun by the afternoon.

    There’s a lot of clothing changes/extra clothing…..bring on the sensory issues!

    Shall we talk about the darker evenings? Wow losing light limits activities for later in the day. (Just ask my son who wants to fish Exeter canal all day every day!)

    Neurodivergent people do seem to spend a lot of time in their own heads…..a constant inner monologue……a lot of self questioning.

    This darker weather, less light, less sun, can drop our moods and feed this exhausting inner monologue.

    Then this time of year is full of new educational beginnings. Maybe bringing up the haunting memory of school or college.

    Let’s face it a lot of neurodivergent people didn’t have the best experience of education.

    I guess what I’m trying to say is a change of season may leave us feeling unsettled, like something isn’t quite right, like we would like to feel better, more at ease with ourselves.

    These big, uncomfortable, viscerally felt emotions may be trying to help us, to keep us safe, pointing us to look inwards…

    ….even though they are soooo uncomfortable, if we can face them, even for a second, they may offer opportunity and transformation…relief and a sense of ease.

    I offer neurodivergent affirming counselling from a cosy cabin, in Exwick, Exeter.

    I also offer online counselling sessions.

    I have lived experience of ADHD but have also worked with Autistic, AuADHD,  Dyspraxic and Dyslexic clients.

    I offer a space where there are no expectations or demands…..a space away from daily life…..an opportunity to explore how you are feeling and whatever you want to look at

    Do get in touch by emailing me at amycounsellingexeter@gmail.com or head to the contact me page.

  • Counselling and Neurodivergence – Exeter, Devon

    Being an ADHD Counsellor it shouldn’t have surprised me that, as I began to understand ADHD, Sensory Processing and Neurodivergence in general, I began to attract a lot of neurodivergent clients.

    It did surprise me though, however it is good to have lived experience of, or similar, to clients.

    We all face different difficulties and situations in life but often neurodivergent people have faced a fair amount of similar situations.

    I have worked with ADHD, AuADHD, Austic, Dyspraxic and Dyslexic clientsqns I offer an affirming, supportive and accepting environment.

    In my experience a lot of neurodivergent people haven’t experienced much affirmation, support or acceptance.

    I work from home, in Exwick, on the edge of Exeter. 

    I also offer online sessions, if more convenient, or if you can’t get to Exeter.

    Do email me amycounsellingexeter@gmail.com or head to the contact page to drop me a message.

  • Neurodivergent Counselling, Exeter, Devon

    Neurodivergent Counselling, Exeter, Devon

    Are you neurodivergent? Or suspect you may be?

    Are you wondering how to support yourself in the best way?

    Do you have to constantly battle the feeling that something isn’t right, that you are different somehow?

    I work with lots of neurodivergent clients. I have lived experience of ADHD but also work with AuADHD, Autistic, Dyslexic and Dispraxic clients.

    Counselling can be quite transformative for neurodivergent clients.

    It is so beautiful to watch as realisations take place.

    To see a client experience relief and understanding.

    To witness them gain new perspectives and change their self beliefs.

    I love offering a counselling space and I do this in Exwick, on the edge of Exeter.

    I also offer online sessions, if you aren’t able to make it to Exeter or this is more convenient.

    Do email me at amycounsellingexeter@gmail.com or use the contact me page.

  • Counselling, Neurodivergence and the Menopause

    Well, wow, going through Perimenopause or Menopause can be tricky, wild, confusing, exhilarating, freeing….it can be a lot…..

    On top of this the impact of hormonal changes on a neurodivergent brain can be extreme……

    Lots of women are late diagnosed – at this point – because of this…

    Things start to become super hard – even to the point of burn out and no ability to perform daily life

    Even if a diagnosis isn’t in place, or sought for, or even considered or wanted, understanding and processing this impact can be super helpful.

    It may:

    Provide relief

    Alleviate guilt or criticism of self

    Allow reflection, of the past or of patterns that are no longer helpful

    Provide opportunity and possibility

    Reframe and offer new perspectives.

    If you are finding this time tricky, or yoy are searching for support, do get in touch to see if counselling with me maybe be of help.

    Get in touch through the contact me page or drop me an email to amycounsellingexeter@gmail.com

    Me writing this post whilst listening to a podcast at the same time!