Autism and Counselling

A

Anita

New member
Hi. I have the opportunity to undergo a set of counselling sessions. My principle goal is to try and have more successful close relationships. I am concerned that the counsellor will not have a sufficient understanding of autism in general and i may find it difficult to get across my social difficulties as an autistic person. I will go ahead; I will try to inform as well as learn; and i expect the experience will be positive.
Does anyone have any comments, advice, useful experience to help me prepare.
Thanks lovely people x
 
Hello! I personally found the 'Match + 1' concept very helpful for personal relationships
I also like this YouTuber https://www.youtube.com/@thethoughtspot222
and Sonny Hallett writes a lot of useful stuff https://medium.com/@sonnyhallett/counselling-in-a-neurodiverse-world-2e72d63a77c9
There are lots more useful resources, too many to list, but I've found huge benefit and validation from community-based / lived experience organisations and their writings and online communities. For example https://autisticrealms.com/projects/stimpunks/
Sounds like you have a positive attitude, just remember to trust your gut instinct :) Teaching and informing your counsellor about your autistic experience may be great, but it's not always fair or possible for the minority to be the one doing all the educating.
And of course if it's an NHS service you're accessing you probably have fewer choices, but that 'fit' between you and your counsellor is the main thing, and it's perfectly fine to want to try someone else if the relationship isn't feeling quite right.
I hope it goes well!