Neurodiversity

At Sunderland Counselling Service, our therapists have undertaken specialist training in working with clients who present with neurodivergence and it remains part of our Continuing Professional Development. (CPD)

All of our rooms in John Street are decorated in muted, calming colours, have a mixture of low lights and bright lights depending on client preference and every room has a box of fidget and stim toys that all clients are welcome to use. However, if you have your own favourite fidget, please feel free to bring that along to your sessions!

Counselling is a safe space to be your authentic self which, sadly for many neurodivergent people, is not a common occurrence. This is often referred to as ‘unmasking’, which can provide both a sense of relief and acceptance, but can sometimes be anxiety-provoking as well. Your counsellor is there to guide you through this process if required and we will offer unconditional acceptance.

If you have any accessibility requirements, such as a downstairs room, low light, low background noise, large room, small room – whatever it may be – just let our admin team, your assessing counsellor or your allocated counsellor know and we will try our best to meet these needs for you. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis of a neurodivergent condition to ask for accessibility, self-diagnosis, being on a waiting list for assessment or even being in the early stages of suspecting you may be neurodivergent are all valid.