Experienced,  Compassionate, and Ethically Minded, Neurodivergent Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor & Educator   

Searching for a therapist or supervisor can often feel daunting.

You will want to ensure that any therapist is the right fit for you.

You might have questions about me. What is Lesley like? Will I get on with her? What experience does Lesley have?

I am hoping this section will answer some of your questions.

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I am an intersectional neurodivergent psychotherapist and mental health practitioner, who has worked in the mental health field since 1996. I live with Neurofibromatosis type 1; a neuro-genetic disorder of the Central Nervous System and hypermobility syndrome. I am a Senior Accredited  Member of the National Counselling Society (NCS)

an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP); I am a registered  EMDR UK practitioner and a full member of WPATH (World Association for Transgender Health) working towards certified status. I hold a Level 7 Diploma in Intersectional Supervision.

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Child and Adolescent Mental Health

I am a qualified Nursery Nurse, holding a Diploma in Nursery Nursing and Advanced Diploma in Child Development (Developmental Psychology) with experience working within education and primary healthcare settings. I spent  18 years of my career in a Learning Disability CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health) Team; working with children and young people with severe learning disabilities and/ or neurodevelopmental conditions and their families. 

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It was during my time in LD CAMHS that I developed a passion for working with Autistic children and young people; achieving a Post Graduate Diploma in Autism Spectrum Conditions (2002) and MA in Special Educational Needs (2003).  Around the same time, I also completed an Advanced Diploma in Child Development ( 2001) and MSc. in Psychology (2004).

I was fortunate to complete my  DISCO (Diagnostic Interview for Social & Communication Disorders) training with Lorna Wing and Judy Gould in 2003 and successfully completed Early Bird, Cygnet, and 'Sign-Post' psycho-education training to parents and professionals, and sleep practitioner training with the Hansel Trust. I am committed to ensuring Autistic, Learning Disabled, or otherwise, Neurodivergent clients of any age, have equitable access to appropriate therapy.  

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Over the years, I have been involved in a number of innovative service developments:

• From  2012,  I took a lead role in the day-to-day running of CWP CAMHS's website mymind.org.uk and other social media platforms.

• I had a key role in developing Wirral CAMHS Sleep Clinic, a service commissioned by Wirral CCG. My experience as a sleep practitioner led me to recognise the key relationship between sleep and positive mental well-being. 

• In 2015 I had a pivotal role in developing a new mental well-being online support service for CWP's Starting Well in Cheshire West and Cheshire (for young people aged 11-19).

Counsellor Training

I completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy in 2012 while continuing to work in LD CAMHS.  This undoubtedly enhanced the way I was able to support families in my care. I am the fourth generation of my family to live with Neurofibromatosis, a neuro-genetic condition that can cause disfiguring tumours. This experience influenced my decision to complete my MA in Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Practice; researching the experiences of therapists with visible facial differences.

The Alder Centre

 I worked at The Alder Centre; a specialist bereavement service, offering support and counselling to anyone affected by the death of a child of any age, from conception through to adulthood, however recent or long ago from October 2014 to February 2022. The Alder Centre is located within Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool.  I worked therapeutically with bereaved children, adolescents, and adults; individuals, couples, and family groups; as well as being part of the staff counselling team, offering counselling, creative therapies and EMDR.

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Private Practice

I set up my small private practice in 2013 - offering both short-term and long-term therapy to clients across the lifespan.  While I offer counselling to clients with a wide range of presentations, I specialise in counselling Autistic and Neurodivergent clients; Grief and Bereavement Counselling; Trauma, and Appearance Issues.  Recently, I have worked with an increasing number of gender-expansive clients (Trans, Non-binary, Gender Fluid, Agender).  I am working towards Certification with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) It is important for clients to know that I am a Gender Sexuality and Relationship Diverse Aware therapist.

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Supervision

I hold a Diploma in Intersectional Supervision with Distinction.  I  supervise both trainees counsellors, qualified therapists and anyone in a helping profession (Nurses, Medics, Allied Health Professionals). Please get in touch to discuss whether I am the right supervisor for you,

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Counselling & Psychotherapy Educator

I am the programme lead for the MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice at Liverpool John Moores University, a Person-Centred Experiential training programme.  I am also studying towards a Professional Doctorate in Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies at the University of Chester, where my focus is on the role of Bereavement Care and Meaning Making in Bereaved Parents.

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Association of Neurodivergent Therapists (ANDT)

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Much of counsellor and psychotherapy training is aimed at Neurotypical Therapists and Clients. There were parallels between my own experience of misattunements and microaggressions and that of my Neurodivergent Peers. To this end, the Association of Neurodivergent Therapists was established.  We are an organisation run by neurodivergent therapists for neurodivergent therapists (qualified and trainees). For more information click here https://neurodivergenttherapists.com/