Living with dyslexia: how therapy can help

Dyslexia is a very real struggle for many people, and if you’re feeling the emotional weight of it, it’s natural, and it’s OK to seek support. Dyslexia can provide you with different insights, talents, and skills, but it can be extremely hard, frustrating, and in some cases traumatic.

You may also have a loved one in your life who has dyslexia, and you may notice how this has an impact on how they find life – be it a mild inconvenience or a frequent and devastating knock to their confidence.

What is dyslexia? 

Dyslexia is a specific learning difference that primarily affects reading, writing, and spelling skills. Dyslexia is neurological in origin and tends to run in families. Globally, dyslexia is estimated to affect around 5–10% of the population, making it one of the most common learning differences.

The core difficulty in dyslexia lies in phonological processing, which is the ability to recognise and manipulate the sounds within words. This makes decoding written text challenging, as individuals may struggle to connect letters with their corresponding sounds. As a result, reading can be slow, effortful, and less accurate. Spelling and writing often present similar challenges, with frequent errors in letter order or word structure.

Dyslexia exists on a spectrum, meaning its severity varies from person to person. Some individuals may only experience mild difficulties, while others face significant challenges that affect academic performance and everyday tasks.

Dyslexia does not affect vision or hearing, nor is it caused by lack of teaching or motivation. Many individuals develop strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and resilience as they learn to navigate their differences. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence – people with dyslexia often have average or above-average cognitive abilities – but it impacts how the brain processes written and spoken language.

The challenges of dyslexia

Although dyslexia is much better understood than it used to be, challenges still affect people with dyslexia. Often people have really difficult experiences in school. They might notice that they are learning in a different way, and sometimes at a different pace from most of the other students. This can impact people’s self-esteem, as someone with dyslexia may compare themselves to others.

Because many environments are designed with neurotypical ways of learning in mind, some of the tools that are necessary for someone with dyslexia to thrive are not there. This might cause them to struggle in workspaces or social scenarios, which can impact their sense of self, confidence, ability, and mood.

People with dyslexia often have to face assumptions and misunderstandings. Sometimes teachers who are meant to support them through school do not fully understand the condition, and therefore assume that they are being lazy, intentionally inattentive, or not interested in education. They may say things such as “Just work harder” or “Concentrate more.”

Sometimes peers and work colleagues assume that they shouldn’t be struggling with certain things because they seem capable, or assume that because they are dyslexic, they won’t be able to do things that they can. Families can also misunderstand dyslexia and may not want to accept or believe that there is an issue out of concern for how it may impact their child. Or people may just brush it off and not see dyslexia for all the difficulties it can bring to a person.

There is also a big problem with people going undiagnosed. In schools, research suggests that factors such as gender, ethnicity, language background and socioeconomic disadvantage can influence whether children are identified and assessed for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. As a result, some individuals may go through education with unmet needs, and obtaining a diagnosis or accessing appropriate support can become more challenging later in life.

How can therapy help? 

Therapy offers a non-judgmental space where people can explore different aspects of their lives, and for many, dyslexia is a significant part of that journey. Often, once you've been diagnosed, the focus shifts to education. As time goes on, however, there may be little opportunity to process what dyslexia truly means for you.

You might simply need a place to release frustration and express the emotions that come with extra challenges. For some, therapy is an opportunity to revisit school memories and unpack the impact of those experiences. Others might use it to reflect on how dyslexia has shaped their sense of self, relationships, and confidence. 

It can also be a chance to question what the label “dyslexia” means personally. Beyond the difficulties, you may want to explore the strengths and unique perspectives it brings – your creativity, problem-solving skills, and the way you see the world. Therapy can support building confidence, reducing anxiety, and finding practical strategies for everyday challenges like time management or coping with pressure.

If you’re currently in education, therapy can provide emotional support during stressful periods. For those in work or life transitions, it can help uncover new ways to manage expectations and maintain resilience.

Although dyslexia is better understood today, it’s still often misunderstood. Working with a counsellor gives you space to deepen your understanding, process unspoken feelings, and develop tools to thrive.