Counselling for neurodivergent minds
A neuro-affirming approach means understanding who you are, not changing it.
Perhaps you've always felt like your mind works a little differently. Maybe you've recently discovered the term neurodivergence, received an ADHD, AuDHD or Autism diagnosis, or you're simply trying to make sense of experiences you've had for years. The world isn’t designed to be a supportive space for neurodivergent minds, and doing what you can to fit in can cause isolation and loneliness.
I offer a person-centred* space to better understand how your mind works. Together, we'll explore the challenges you're facing, and develop approaches that feel authentic to you, because I believe different ways of thinking should be understood and valued, not masked or changed.
We should also remember that neurodivergent minds bring exceptional creativity, curiosity, empathy and problem-solving, so I aim is to help you better understand both the strengths and challenges that come with the way your mind works.
*person centred means working in a way that suits the client, not vice-versa.
Hi I’m Amy (and this is Vinnie), here’s why this matters to me
For as long as I can remember, I've had the sense that my mind experiences the world a little differently. I've always been deeply sensitive to my surroundings, noticing subtleties that others often seem to miss, feeling emotions intensely, and becoming easily overwhelmed by too much noise, information or stimulation. At different points in my life, those qualities have felt both like my greatest strengths and my biggest challenges.
Looking back, I realise how fortunate I was to discover creativity at a young age. It gave me a way to process my thoughts, make sense of my emotions, and build a career where curiosity, imagination and seeing the world differently were genuinely valued. But I've also experienced environments where those same qualities felt much harder to navigate, where structure, pace and expectation left little room for the way my mind naturally works.
Through years of personal therapy, counselling training, and working with people from many different backgrounds, I've become increasingly interested in the many ways our minds experience the world. I've learnt that understanding ourselves isn't about finding the perfect label or trying to change who we are. It's about recognising our strengths, understanding our challenges, and discovering ways of living that feel more aligned with our real selves.
That's why I created Find A Creative Mind. My hope is to create a space where different ways of thinking are not only understood, but valued. Where creative thinking isn't seen simply as something artistic, but as a way of exploring ourselves, making sense of our experiences, and discovering approaches that genuinely work for our individual minds.
Through working with people 121 and my retreats, I hope I can create space for people to slow down and notice their strengths
What is creative counselling for neurodivergence?
Creative counselling combines person-centred principles with creativity as a way of thinking, rather than simply something we do. Instead of focusing on fixing problems or following rigid strategies, it creates space to better understand how your mind works and discover approaches that genuinely suit you. For many neurodivergent people, traditional advice around productivity, organisation or emotional regulation can feel frustrating because it isn't designed with them in mind.
I encourage curiosity, helping you move away from the pressure of finding the "right" answer and towards discovering what works for you. Together, we explore your strengths alongside your challenges, recognising that many of the qualities that make life difficult can also be the source of creativity, insight and innovation when they're understood, valued and supported in the right way.
Some of my specialisms
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Neurodivergent minds
Whether you've recently received a diagnosis, suspect you may be neurodivergent, or are beginning to understand yourself through a new lens, these sessions offer a space to explore how your mind works. Together, we'll focus on acceptance, regulation, and building a life that works with your strengths rather than against them.
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Navigating menopause
Menopause often brings much more than physical symptoms. It can spark questions around identity, confidence, relationships and what’s next. I provide space to make sense of the changes you're experiencing, reconnect with yourself, and navigate this transition with greater clarity, compassion, and self-trust.
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Putting down your phone
Many of us feel trapped between wanting to be present and constantly reaching for our phones. Together, we'll explore your relationship with technology, what might be driving those habits, and how to create more space for rest and connection without feeling like you have to disconnect from modern life completely.
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Creative career slump
Working in creative industries can be inspiring, but it can also leave you feeling depleted, pressured, or disconnected from the reasons you started creating in the first place. Together, we'll explore ways to reduce overwhelm, navigate perfectionism, and reconnect with curiosity, confidence, and a more sustainable creative practice.
Packages
Not sure which option is right for you? Book a free 20-minute conversation and we can figure it out together. Sessions are available either online, or in person across Manchester, UK.
6 session pack (£60 a session*)
Designed for people navigating a period of change. This might be menopause, a career shift, a relationship ending, a late diagnosis, creative burnout, or simply a feeling that life no longer fits quite right. Together, we'll explore how you feel, and what comes next.
3 month deep dive (£330 a month)
Offers space to slow down and explore what emerges over time. With weekly sessions and optional creative prompts between them, it's designed for those who want to better understand themselves, navigate a significant transition, or make lasting change.
Corporate team 121s (4 people or more)
A confidential space for employees to better understand how they work, navigate pressure, and think more clearly. Particularly valuable during periods of change, burnout, neurodivergence, leadership development, or creative challenge. Learn more
Creative counselling is a new idea, so if you’re still not sure if it’s for you, these FAQs might help! Or book a call here
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No. Many people I work with are exploring whether they might be neurodivergent, while others have received a diagnosis years ago. Creative counselling is a space to explore your experiences without needing a formal diagnosis.
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Yes. Whether you're ADHD, autistic, AuDHD or identify with another form of neurodivergence, counselling can provide a safe, supportive space to better understand yourself and your experiences. Together we can explore the impact of a recent or late diagnosis, masking, sensory overwhelm, executive functioning challenges, relationships, work, self-esteem or feeling different, helping you develop greater self-awareness, self-acceptance and ways of navigating life that work for you.
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Creative counselling can support a wide range of life experiences, particularly those that leave you feeling overwhelmed, stuck or disconnected from yourself. I have a particular interest in working with neurodivergence (including late-discovered ADHD and autism), menopause, creative burnout, digital overwhelm and periods of significant change or uncertainty. While these experiences may look different on the surface, they often share a common thread: a desire to better understand yourself and find a way forward that feels authentic. My approach is tailored to each individual, creating space to explore your thoughts, emotions and experiences in a way that feels right for you.
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Alongside my Person-Centred Counselling training, I've completed additional neuro-affirming training with Aspire Autism Consultancy, helping me better understand neurodivergent experiences through a strengths-based, affirming lens. I continue to develop my knowledge through ongoing professional training and reading.
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Creative Mentoring sits somewhere between coaching, counselling, and creative exploration. It's a space to slow down, better understand yourself, and explore challenges from a different perspective. The focus isn't on giving advice or telling you what to do, but helping you uncover what feels right for you.
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Not at all. In fact, many people who work with me don't consider themselves creative. When I talk about creativity, I'm referring to a way of thinking: curiosity, flexibility, openness, and the ability to explore new possibilities.
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Yes, where appropriate. I work with neurodivergent teens and young adults aged 14+, alongside a parent where it would be helpful. A formal diagnosis isn't necessary. Whether you're waiting for an assessment, have recently begun exploring neurodivergence, or are simply looking for a better understanding of your teen's experiences, sessions provide a supportive, neuro-affirming space to explore what they're finding difficult and build on their strengths.
Learn more here -
Every session is different because every person is different. Some sessions are entirely conversational, while others may include simple creative or reflective exercises. We begin with whatever feels most important to you and work from there.
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I offer creative mentoring in Manchester, as well as online sessions for clients across the UK and internationally.
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Traditional coaching is often focused on goals, performance, and action plans. Creative counselling is more exploratory. Rather than trying to fix a problem quickly, we take time to understand what's really going on and what you need moving forward.
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There is no right answer. Some people find a short series of sessions gives them the clarity they need, while others benefit from longer-term support.
For first timers, you would have to book 6 sessions minimum, because meaningful change and insight usually take time. The sessions build on one another and create space to explore things more deeply than is often possible in a single conversation.
If you're unsure, we can discuss what feels most appropriate during an introductory call. You can book here -
At the moment I work in packages because meaningful change and insight usually take time. The sessions build on one another and create space to explore things more deeply than is often possible in a single conversation.
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If you're looking for a space to think more clearly, better understand yourself, and explore what's next without judgement or pressure, there's a good chance it could be a good fit. The best way to find out is to book a free 20-minute exploratory call and we can talk through what you're looking for. Book here
Join our Creative Retreat!
Our retreats are about creating the conditions where creative thinking naturally returns. Where different ways of thinking, and learning are celebrated, and we give ourselves permission to slow down, reconnect with nature, and rediscover a quieter, more intuitive way of living.
Do you feel the need to disconnect from external expectations, and connect to something that feels more natural - more like you?
“It feels like a permission slip to explore freely.”
Haley Withers • Mentoring Client
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