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Mental health support - therapy

Francesca67

Is there any help available on the NHS for ADHD/autistic adults? im awaiting diagnosis and struggle with anxiety so am on ADs and am waiting for a call re therapy. I don’t want them to give me CBT again which doesn’t tend to work for me. There’s lots more going on other than me being autistic but what I would really like is a neuro-affirming counsellor who can help me understand myself and help me unmask and work through some of the trauma of being autistic. I’m guessing this is too much to ask? Does this exist privately? Any recommendations?

Are there any types of therapy you’ve found helpful, I can’t seem

to find much info online?

Thanks :) 

Parents

  • Hi and welcome to the community!

    After my autism diagnosis, I had a course of NHS counselling along the lines that you describe, supported by a counsellor who had ADHD (I had specifically requested a counsellor with experience of neurodivergence). Before my assessment, I'd also had a course of CBT, which didn't work for me (which isn't unusual for autistic people).

    As you're on antidepressants and struggle with anxiety, if you're in England, you can self refer for NHS talking therapy, which includes a range of types. Otherwise, I'd suggest seeing your GP to request a referral (which you can also do if you're in England, if you prefer).

    NHS Talking Therapy

    I should add that, in my case, I definitely found the NHS counselling helpful. However, at the end, it was also recommended that I pursue ongoing, longer-term counselling. This will need to be on a private basis due this not being available on the NHS.

    You might first find it helpful to borrow or buy this book, which includes discussion of various types of therapy and counselling, together with advice on choosing the right therapist or counsellor - all from an autistic person's viewpoint. Several of us here have found it very helpful, myself included:

    The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy

    If you'd prefer to pay for private counselling, then places where you can look for providers include the NAS directory, and/or the BACP or Psychology Today websites:

    NAS - Autism Services Directory

  • in reply to Bunny

    Thank you that’s really helpful. Can I ask, did you manage to find a good counsellor privately? How easy was this? 

  • in reply to Francesca67

    You're most welcome! :)

    My NHS counselling was extended a couple of times before ending in December last year. At the end, my counsellor and I agreed that it might be best for me to have a short break initially, to let things settle, reflect on what I'd want moving forward, etc.

    Also, for all of the usual autistic reasons, I haven't yet managed to do any proper research into my options! I did search a directory and find a few people who looked promising, but I delayed the "real exercise" for another time.

    Sorry I can't be of more help!

        

Reply
  • in reply to Francesca67

    You're most welcome! :)

    My NHS counselling was extended a couple of times before ending in December last year. At the end, my counsellor and I agreed that it might be best for me to have a short break initially, to let things settle, reflect on what I'd want moving forward, etc.

    Also, for all of the usual autistic reasons, I haven't yet managed to do any proper research into my options! I did search a directory and find a few people who looked promising, but I delayed the "real exercise" for another time.

    Sorry I can't be of more help!

        

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