About me
Hello and welcome to my Counselling Directory page. My name is Lou and I am based in Northern Ireland and I am The Neurodivergent Therapist. I offer sessions of counselling, coaching or consultancy for people who are interested in learning about and exploring their neurotype or 'neuroblend' (a term I have made up). Basically, I help people to "know thyself."
I believe therapy should be creative, inspiring, life enhancing and fun.
I also believe my honesty, integrity, intellect, and passion help my clients to accept their experiences, take responsibility for their actions, and create meaningful and successful lives.
My background is a variety of several disciplines but my preferred approach would be largely intuitive which blends counselling, coaching and consultancy and is informed by psychoanalysis, psychosynthesis (spiritual psychoanalysis), trauma-informed practices, and compassion-led principles. This is the unique service that I offer and this way of working is successful, productive and helpful for many people, but will not suit everyone.
This also means that I only work with those who will be suited to my style and how I work, which is unconventional. I have developed this style through working with neurodivergent, mainly autistic/ AuDHD/ ADHD clients and it seems to be more effective to blend the various approaches. I intend to help my clients to be their true selves safely and confidently, as I believe this is how we live our best and most meaningful lives.
I have a Ph.D. in Politics which explored the relationship between Nature and Mental Health. I enjoy helping people to engage with natural settings for wellness purposes and I am a proud advocate of ecotherapy, ecopsychology, and ecofeminism. I personally believe nature is our greatest healer and that our relationship with the natural and more-than-human world can bring so much joy, healing, creativity and fulfillment.
I am currently a blogger for Psychology Today, reflecting on my experiences as a neurodivergent therapist and sharing my views on neurodiversity and ecotherapy. I also created a blog called Climate Child. I believe that everyone has a lot to contribute to society and I believe we need to empower and encourage people to be more respectful and kind to those who are different to us.
I believe the future is bright and the future is neurodiverse!
Get in touch if you would like to book a session and I will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have.
Also feel free to get in touch if you would like information on nature based therapy, group sessions and training.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
PhD from Queens University Belfast in Politics (Exploring the relationship between nature experiences and mental health).
Foundation Degree in Counselling from the University of Ulster- C.B.T., Psychoanalysis, and Person Centred Therapy.
Certificate in Life Coaching
City and Guilds 7407 Teacher Training Qualification
Master's Degree in Women's Studies and Feminist Research
Bachelor's Degree in Sociology 2i Honours
Training
Mastery Intensive Programme for Ireland and Northern Ireland 2025.
Therapeutic Shamanism.
EMDR.
Reclaiming Pleasure: Embodied Joy in Trauma Recovery and Social Change.
Creative Expression/ Emancipatory Thinking/ Artist's Way Facilitator for various organisations and community groups from 2015 to the present day.
Cruse Bereavement Training
Spirituality in Counselling Training with Sweet Tracks Counselling
Jill Edwards Stand Up Comedy Training- Brighton.
Academy of Creative Training Foundation and Diploma in Acting and Performance- Brighton.
Extensive Domestic Abuse Training (Worked as a Legal Advocate, Refuge Worker, Helpline Worker and Safety Officer)
Probation Service Officer Training (Was a Probation Tutor running programmes in Domestic Violence, Drink Driving and General Offending)
Extensive Youth Work Training (Worked for Prince's Trust as a Team Leader running their youth development programme. Received training in Addictions, Sexual Health, Self Harm and Mental Health).
Mental Health First Aid Training
Heading for Healthy Relationships and Positive Relationships Training (I have been delivering this training on behalf of Women's Aid since 2014 and have been privileged to work in many secondary schools and with hundreds of students. This programme is designed to help young people to recognise the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships).
Experience
I have been very fortunate to have enjoyed a full, exciting and varied career to date. In the last two decades, I have run a women's refuge, a skills centre for an international construction company, and worked for the Prince's Trust, the Probation Service and Women's Aid. I have been designing and running workshops for over 20 years. I enjoy being self-employed and growing my own business, particularly since I began rebranding in 2020 and focusing on working with people who identify as neurodivergent. My employment history and my ability to work with all sections of the community, all ages and all backgrounds is an indication of my ability to work well with many people from many backgrounds.
I love supporting people, I love empowering people and I love helping people to improve their lives. It is what I am good at.
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 National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I am also interested in supporting people with their spirituality and I am interested in using nature for therapeutic purposes. I enjoy supporting children and adults in developing their self expression and creativity. I believe that when we express ourselves and connect with our creativity we can begin to recover from trauma and are more connected to our true selves.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£70.00 - £100.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Fees vary depending on the needs of the client and the types of counselling/ coaching/ consultancy/ therapy being requested.
Concessions offered on request.
Further information
I enjoy writing and have been writing for years. I find writing therapeutic, empowering and enriching. I believe that when we share our voices, our experiences and our stories we can help others to do the same.
