(Where a word or phrase is underlined, you can follow the link to another Practice or Clinical Guide for a fuller explanation of that topic. Feel free to follow them as your questions arise—they're designed to help you build a fuller understanding at your own pace.)
This guide forms part of our Practice Guide to Psychotherapy, which explains the principles that underpin our work with individuals, couples and families and can be found at Practice Guide 1.
Practice Guide 5
Working with Neurodivergent clients
Many neurodivergent people begin their search for a therapist hoping to be accepted and understood for who they are, rather than being defined solely by a diagnosis or neurotype. At The Cheltenham Centre for Relationship and Trauma Therapy, we believe effective psychotherapy begins with understanding the whole person—their relationships, life experiences and neurotype, such as autism or ADHD.
One of our core practice principles in working therapeutically with our clients is to respect the unique individuality of each person who seeks our support.
Whether Neurodiverse (ND) or Neurotypical (NT) we will meet you in your world that you bring, in hope, to our Practice. What will have happened that has brought you to Therapy will be layered on to the neurological patterns that were present when you were conceived.
Presenting issues
Our minds and personality, whether ND or NT, will be shaped by our experience of relationship: the relationships we experienced as we encountered the world of our early life.
The affect, sense and response to those experiences will vary from each individual to another. It is the work, role and specialism of the therapist to help every individual to make sense of their world of difficulty that has brought them to therapy.
One of the consistent themes we observe in psychotherapy is that whether you are NT or ND your early life experience can prejudice your capacity to become your fulfilled adult self; it is also true that these early life implications can leave neurodivergent individuals facing additional misunderstanding and marginalisation.
Whether ND or NT the therapist will engage with you to figure out the most helpful way of supporting you through the therapeutic process. We fundamentally believe that whether ND or NT the potential and capacity for individual change is founded on the capacity of the therapist with the client to create a therapeutic relationship of depth. This is not possible without the therapist deeply respecting the unique authentic autonomy of our clients for who they are.
What can you expect from CCRTT as a Neurodivergent client
Acceptance. Whether you have a formal diagnosis, would like a diagnosis or believe that you may be Neurodivergent we will always intend to establish a transparent relationship with our clients. In the case of Neurodivergent clients we would hope to understand your specific presentations, Neurotypes, and to be conscious of and respect the diverse range of needs that can be present.
In practice we recognise that Neurodivergent brains are wired differently to NT brains. Even in writing this it feels like it could be stigmatising however it is a truth that there are a collection of brains that can be classed as ND and a collection of brains that can be classed as NT.
However, at CCRTT we are conscious of the perception that Neurodivergence is considered to be a disability and often a disability to be masked. While being Neurodivergent may be described as a disability and a pathway to recognition of a disadvantaging condition it is also in our experience too often coupled with discrimination.
Working with ND clients – Brain informed care.
Difference in society is too often marginalising and a source of shame. At CCRTT we are conscious of ND clients who may be both sensitive to and conscious of being in a minority in the way that they experience the world. In that world, difference can be shaming and a protecting mask adopted that prevents the fullness of the ND brain from being visible. Our aim is to create a safe environment within which masks can be set aside so that we can work with the authentic Neurodivergent mind.
We are acutely aware of the potential for shame to come to exist in this different way of being. We seek to work with clarity and acceptance. For example, we will discuss and explain clearly or systems; we will work with you in terms of the most helpful length of each session. In talking we will speak clearly and keep our lips visible; when answering questions we will use clear unambiguous language; we will tend to steer clear of metaphor unless you indicate that you like thinking creatively.
We offer Psychotherapy both online and Face to Face and are conscious that for some Neurotypes one will be preferable to the other. Whichever suits you more is entirely your decision and if Geography is a problem we can usually source alternative Therapists with appropriate experience. You can find more about our online service either by contacting us here for more information or from our Practice Guide 4 – Working online which you can find here.
Related Practice Guides
To see how these principles are applied in our Practice please see the relevant guide below:
