Alison Smith, Autism-Specific Counselling
I'm a late-diagnosed autistic female therapist providing counselling services to over 18s who are or think they may be autistic. I offer long-term, open-ended therapy or short-term careers counselling to those who wish to focus on their working life. Sessions are online, and the first session can include a discussion of previous experiences of counselling, sensory preferences, processing and communication styles, and any objectives for counselling. I am able to help autistic adults navigate key communication challenges such as with family, colleagues or medical professionals. Before my diagnosis, I specialised in bereavement and loss, and I have experience of helping with relationship difficulties, anxiety and depression, workplace stress or bullying, anger and guilt, traumatic experiences, emotional abuse, chronic illness and issues facing carers and parents. My work has often shown me how prevalent workplace difficulties can be in the lives of autistic adults who are in work, and I have now devised a 12-session model of counselling to help any autistic adults who wish to explore and make decisions in this area of their lives.