Michael McGovern

Profile Summary

Online counselling for neurodivergent adults, including autism and ADHD.

Support with anxiety, burnout, overwhelm, and making sense of your experience.

About Me

I’ve spent around three decades supporting people across different settings, including those who process the world differently, older adults, and young people in structured environments.

I identify as autistic. 

I originally came from South Africa and have lived in the UK for around 20 years. That experience of moving between cultures has shaped how I think about difference, identity, and how people make sense of themselves.

My work tends to be grounded and practical. I’m interested in what actually helps, not just what is supposed to help.

I am a pluralistic counsellor which means I will draw on several different approaches in our collaboration. And together we decide what works best for you. I use a Person- Centred Approach which means that I respect that you know more about yourself than I ever can. 

Main Profile

You do not need a formal diagnosis to work with me.

If you identify as neurodivergent, or think you might be, that’s enough.

I work with neurodivergent adults, including autism and ADHD, often around anxiety, burnout, overwhelm, and trying to make sense of things.

A lot of people arrive here feeling anxious, exhausted, or like things haven’t quite added up for a long time.

I work online, mainly on Zoom, with phone available if needed. Being in your own space often makes it easier to settle and reduces some of the anxiety that can come with starting therapy.

Neurodivergent Counselling (Autism, ADHD, Anxiety)

Therapy doesn’t always land for neurodivergent people, especially where anxiety is involved.

You might have experienced:

• sessions that feel vague or unclear
• questions that don’t quite make sense, long silences that increase anxiety rather than help, a sense that you’re somehow not doing therapy “right"
• ambiguous communications, and you're confused about why a question is being asked.

A therapist not checking in with you to explicitly establish if how they are working is helpful. Sometimes people leave thinking, “maybe it’s me.” Often, it isn’t.

Anxiety in autistic and ADHD clients can show up in different ways, including overthinking, shutdown, avoidance, or a constant sense of pressure.

I try to work in a way that actually fits you.

That might mean making things clearer or more structured.

Or just being more direct. Less guesswork.

You can question things, not understand something, or say when something isn’t working.

How I Work

This is something we do together.

You’re not expected to perform or get it right.

We go at a pace that works for you, especially if anxiety or overwhelm are part of the picture.

I pay attention to whether:

• This feels useful
• You feel able to be honest
• The process makes sense

You'd like us to work differently. This space is yours. I try to empower you to believe this. 

As a pluralistic counsellor, I use a range of approaches and am explicit about checking in to see what feels right for you.

We might focus on what’s happening now, particularly around anxiety and stress, but often it makes sense to look back as well, especially where things still carry weight, including trauma or long-standing patterns.

Late Diagnosis (Autism / ADHD)

For some people, autism or ADHD only comes into view later in life.

That can shift how you see everything.

You might look back and realise things were missed, misunderstood, or explained in ways that didn’t quite fit. That can bring relief, but also anxiety, frustration, grief, or a sense of something being off for a long time.

It can also raise questions about identity. What was you, what was masking, and what got missed?

We can take time with that.

Not to force a neat answer, but to:

• look again at your history with more context
• make sense of patterns, including long-standing anxiety
• see what fits for you and what doesn’t
• begin to develop more understanding, and sometimes self-compassion

For many people, this is about finally making sense of things in a way that feels more accurate and less critical.

What We Might Work On

Alongside anxiety, we often focus on the basics of how things actually function day to day:

anxiety and chronic stress
autistic burnout or ADHD burnout and late ASC diagnosis

• overwhelm, shutdowns, meltdowns
• masking and exhaustion
• boundaries and communication
• self-esteem and internal pressure
• work stress and navigating systems
• executive functioning and daily life

We go at a pace that is sustainable, not forced.

Perspective

I don’t see neurodivergence as something that needs fixing.

But living in a world that is largely set up for neurotypical people can create ongoing anxiety and strain. That is usually where the work sits.

Practicalities

Sessions are offered online via Zoom or by phone.

You’re welcome to get in touch for a free 20-minute call.

You can ask questions, get a feel for how I work, and decide in your own time. There is no pressure to continue.

 Areas of Support

• Anxiety and stress
• Autism and ADHD
• Neurodivergence
• Burnout, including autistic burnout
• Trauma
• Low self-esteem
• Relationships and communication
• Work-related stress
• Identity and life direction
• Loneliness and isolation

Final Section

If therapy has felt confusing, unhelpful, or like it didn’t quite fit before, we can start from there.

You’re welcome to get in touch via the contact form, or email, or phone to arrange a free 20-minute call. There’s no pressure to continue, just a chance to see if this feels right

I charge £60.00 for a 60-minute session. Online appointments via Zoom are available. I offer long-term or short-term counselling. 

Please contact me for a 20-minute no-obligation chat, or feel free to email me if you prefer.

I look forward to meeting you. 

I am to respond to emails within two working days. 

Much kindness

Mike