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Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy for ADHD, Autism, AuDHD, and Life’s Challenges
At Becoming Yourself Counselling, we believe everyone deserves a space where they feel seen, heard, and valued.
My goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where you can explore who you are and work through life's challenges.
Many people we work with long for a space to rediscover themselves, feel accepted, and reconnect with what makes them whole.
No one should feel pressured to hide who they are to fit in—everyone deserves a life guided by authenticity and self-acceptance.
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It’s natural to sense a gap between where you are and where you want to be in life, and sometimes it feels overwhelming trying to close that distance on your own. Many of us grapple with the pressure of living up to our potential or struggle to pinpoint who we are and how to overcome the challenges standing in our way. That’s where an outside perspective, someone who really sees and hears you, can be so helpful. I’m here to provide that perspective, offering new strategies, tools, and a safe space to help you navigate a world that doesn’t always accommodate individual differences.
Neurodivergent individuals, in particular, often face unique barriers: from feeling chronically invalidated to experiencing the world in ways that neurotypicals may not fully understand. Unfamiliar environments, transitions, and social situations can heighten a sense of isolation or rejection. I’ve walked this path myself. My own journey of discovering my neurodivergence highlighted how crucial it is to receive the right support, develop skills, and cultivate self-awareness and compassion. With these foundations, it’s possible to move from feeling stuck to feeling empowered.
Repeated negative social experiences can leave you wondering if it’s ever safe to be your true self. This uncertainty can impact your relationships and your confidence and, in some cases, lead to harmful coping strategies, such as substance use. When you’re neurodivergent or gifted, your interactions with the world can be even more complicated, leaving you feeling misunderstood or overwhelmed. In therapy, we’ll explore the interplay of your thoughts, emotions, sensory experiences, and behaviour within the broader context of your life, your relationships, your environment, and any external pressures that affect your well-being.
I understand that seeking therapy when you’re already feeling vulnerable can be daunting, especially if you’ve encountered rejection or misunderstanding in the past. But sharing your experiences, thoughts, and feelings with someone who genuinely listens without judgment can be transformative. My goal is to offer that supportive space where you can safely explore who you are and develop the resilience to shift from simply surviving to truly thriving. We can help you on your path to self-acceptance, find the tools that work best for you, and create a path toward more positive well-being.
Challenges that May Be Holding You Back
My niche lies in supporting neurodivergent individuals, such as those with ADHD, Level 1 Autism, or AuDHD. I welcome clients from various experiences seeking more positive well-being, deeper self-awareness, or support in managing life’s challenges. You could be navigating mental health difficulties, such as anxiety, depression, trauma or bipolar, exploring the complexities of neurodivergent identity or simply resonating with my approach. In that case, I invite you to explore how we might work together. Many individuals feel misunderstood or pathologized by others; if that’s been your experience, a neurodiversity-affirming perspective can validate your unique insights and operating style.
Here are some of the common difficulties I support clients with:
Late Diagnosis & Identity Struggles
Discovering your neurodivergence later in life can feel like reading a book where the final chapters suddenly rewrite everything that came before. You may question who you really are and grieve for the person you might have been if you’d known sooner. It’s a jarring mix of relief, regret, confusion, and hope all rolled into one. If you allow yourself to re-examine these “chapters” with fresh eyes, what might you learn about who you are, and who you can still become?
Masking & Imposter Syndrome
Imagine wearing a costume every day, fearful of the moment someone catches a glimpse behind the mask. It’s tiring, and sometimes you might not recognize yourself when you look in the mirror. Even if you’ve learned to camouflage to keep safe, doubts can creep in: “Am I faking it? Do I even know the real me anymore?” What would it be like to set aside the costume piece by piece and trust that others can accept what’s underneath?
Rejection Sensitivity
A single offhand comment or a slight change in someone’s tone can feel like stepping on a landmine, unexpectedly triggering a cascade of worry, overthinking, or sadness. When your radar is set to hyper-alert, it’s hard not to interpret every pause, text delay, or misunderstanding as a sign of rejection. If you could dial down the volume of these fears, what might you discover about your capacity to connect more openly with others?
Anxiety & Existential Questions
Sometimes, life feels like you’re assembling a jigsaw puzzle with no reference picture—just thousands of pieces and no clue what the final image should be. It can be paralyzing, especially when worries swirl about the meaning of it all. You might find yourself asking, “Why does any of this matter?” How would it feel to explore the puzzle at your own pace, letting each piece reveal a bit more of the bigger picture?
“Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.” – Robert Frost
Depression & Disconnection
Even in a room filled with people, you might feel like you’re on a different wavelength entirely—like everyone else has the right station tuned in, and yours is just static. That sense of not being seen or known can leave you feeling numb, lonely, or disconnected from everything around you. Is there a small step you could take, maybe reaching out to someone or letting yourself be a little more open, that might bridge the gap and reduce the static?
Harsh Inner Critic
That voice in your head can sound like a strict teacher, constantly grading your life with red ink: “Not good enough,” “You should be further ahead,” or “Why can’t you get it right?” It’s exhausting to live under such relentless scrutiny, and it can erode your confidence over time. What if this inner judge isn’t the ultimate authority on your worth, and there’s another voice inside you, one that’s kinder, ready to be heard?
Substance Use to Cope
At times, turning to alcohol, cannabis, or other substances feels like a quick escape hatch when everything becomes too loud or too heavy. While it may numb the turmoil for a moment, it can also build a barrier to the deeper relief and understanding you truly seek. When you imagine your future self, do you see these substances continuing to hold you back, or is there a different path you’d like to explore?
Feeling Overwhelmed
Picture juggling one ball, then two, then three, until your arms are a blur. You’re trying to keep every piece of your life in the air, work, relationships, personal goals, but you’re not sure how to do it. Sensory sensitivities have made all the more difficult. Eventually, something drops, and you’re left feeling like you’re behind on everything. If you could focus on just one or two balls that matter most right now, might that bring some clarity and calm to your everyday life?
If you’ve been feeling misunderstood, overwhelmed, or unsure how to cope with the unique challenges you face, like ADHD, Level One Autism, or other forms of neurodivergence, or seeking therapy for challenges you are facing, visit the Meet Michael Page to learn more about me and my trauma-informed neurodiversity-affirming approach to therapy.