About me
As a BACP-registered counsellor and UKCP-accredited body psychotherapist, I bring specialised expertise in autism spectrum conditions through my master's degree in autism and post-graduate certification in Asperger's syndrome. My work has earned recognition at the highest levels, including an MBE in Her Majesty The Queen's 2016 birthday honours for services to Asperger's syndrome (now autism spectrum level one).
My professional reach extends beyond individual practice into education and advocacy. I have presented internationally, including at The World Autism Congress in November 2018, where I spoke on "what works when counselling lives affected by autism." This presentation forms the basis of training sessions I deliver across the United Kingdom, equipping counsellors and therapists with effective approaches for working with autistic clients and their families.
In 2008, I founded what is now Action for Neurodiversity (www.actionforneurodiversity.org), where I continue as an active contributor, dedicating half my professional time to the charity's mission. The remainder of my time is spent in private practice (elainenicholsonmbe.co.uk), where I have consulted with individuals across the lifespan - from age 3 to 85 - accumulating thousands of hours of experience with neurodivergent clients and their families.
While my specialisation lies in working with atypical thinkers, my humanistic and integrative approach enables me to support typical thinkers as well. Over 22 years in practice, I have developed comprehensive expertise that has been recognised through my Fellowship of the Royal Society for Public Health, reflecting my commitment to both individual therapeutic work and broader public health initiatives in neurodiversity.
Training, qualifications & experience
- MA PGC DMS MBACP FRSPH
- Shame, the crippling emotion ~ Leicester University ~ 31.5.03
- Erotic transference and countertransference ~ Leicester University ~ 7.12.02
- Speaking through our dreams ~ Leicester University ~ 9.11.02
- Expanding dream awareness ~ Leicester University ~ 1.3.03
- Loss Death and Bereavement ~ Leicester University ~ July 03
- Envy as a healing process ~ Leicester University ~ 13.3.04
- Creative Non-directive work with Children, Dr Garry Landreth 9 June, 2007
- BAPT Conference, Brunei Gallery, London
- Visual Supports The National Autistic Society -22.5.07
- Autism Spectrum Disorder & Mental Health ~ Dr Fiona Knott et al ~Reading University 2011
- Int. Conference on Autism ~ (Autistic Intelligence) ~ Prof. Tony Attwood et al ~ Torquay 2011
- My Town Tiggers Annual Autism Conference: "Research, Reality & Rock 'n Roll" ~ Professor Simon Baron-Cohen et al ~ Blackpool 2011
- Diagnostic Issues, Dr Judith Gould, November 2011, The Lorna Wing Centre for Autism.
- Computers and Autism, Research Autism/Lorna Wing, November, 2011, Westminster
- PTSD following childbirth – 2012 University of Reading
- Traumatic Bereavement – 2012 University of Reading
- Working with Survivors of Sexual Abuse -2012 University of Reading
- Using CBT to address Insomnia – 2012 University of Reading
- CBT for Eating Disorders – 2012 University of Reading
- CBT for PTSD in Children- 2012 University of Reading
- OCD – 2012 University of Reading
- Understanding ADHD - March 2016, Nottingham Mental Health Institute.
- ADOS-2 Training – 2016 Pearson
- BACP Children and Young People Conference – London 2016
- Adult Offenders with an ASD in the Criminal Justice System – 2017 Broadmoor Hospital.
- Drugs awareness – 2017 in-house training through Blue Knight Ltd
- DBT Accreditation – Level 1 - 2017 through The Association of Psychological Therapies
- Safeguarding Children in Charities – London Conference – Jan 2018
- Certificate in Hypno-Psychotherapy - National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy 2017
- Cambridge Body Psychotherapy Centre - Diploma 2017-current
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy - APT - August 2020
-
Understanding reactions to the COVID 19 pandemic: insights from the Polyvagal theory and oxytocin hypothesis (Confer) July 2020.
-
Challenges in Trauma Therapy: working effectively with Resistance and Chronic Shame N Science September 2020
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Working with Identity Based Trauma N Science July 2020
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Polyvagal Theory, Oxytocin and the Neurobiology Confer June 2021
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Retraumatisation and Unprocessed Trauma: Overcoming the Challenges. Feb 2021 N Science.
- Preverbal, Nonverbal & Implicit Memories: The Keys to Addressing Developmental Trauma April 2022 N Science
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Asperger's syndrome
Asperger's/neurotypical relationship issues/couples counselling
Higher functioning autism
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£75.00 per session
Additional information
£75 per hour for counselling
£400 for an academic, non-clinical (gateway) assessment for autism.
When I work
I work weekends as well as weekdays. I also work evenings and early mornings.
Further information
I operate competently not only face-to-face but via video consulting. I was one of the early pioneers of this method of counselling and can use most video mediums.
