Autism Affirming Counselling & Psychoeducation: Reframing the Autistic Narrative with Teri Kansted
Looking for a new therapist can feel immensely overwhelming, and as much as I love that Thriving Autistic set up this global, neurodivergent directory, it’s – for better or worse – grown in volumes, and it can feel quite off-putting to look through countless profiles to find someone you vibe with!
(But, between you and me, it’s just as bad having to actually create the profile! It’s like the blank page on a dating profile: What do I write? How do I sell myself without sounding sleazy? And how do I describe what would make a good match so the reader doesn’t waste their time either?)
So, hello – I’m Teri and I guess one thing to know about me is that I highly value being human together. Professionalism, boundaries and ethical considerations are essential to me, but so is being a relatable and imperfect human, working alongside you, in a collaborative, non-hierarchical manner.
To not make this an excessively long profile, in a typical, autistic, “over-explaining” manner, you might want to check out my website http://www.neurostorycollective.com where you’ll find more about me and my journey as well as blog posts and free resources, like this free, energy auditing/management tool I’ve called N.A.P.S.S. (because all autistic people should have more naps!):
https://www.neurostorycollective.com/resources-1/energy-auditing-management-tool-system
I’m obsessed with narratives – stories – and how they, along with the words we choose, shape our reality. And there sure are a lot of problematic words when it comes to autism, which can impact our sense of self in a negative way.
I specialise in working with late-identified autistic adults with a high EQ (30+).
I work in a collaborative, compassionate, neurodiversity affirming, strength-based and elective way – that means we’re a team, working together to figure out what you need and how I support you most efficiently, and I value and practice acceptance, validation and kindness. I believe in the neuroaffirmative approach to autism (more about that on my website), and I mix different therapeutic and coaching modalities to tailor sessions after your needs (as much as possible). Some of these methods include existential therapy, positive psychology, pluralistic therapy, systemic coaching, psychoeducation, narrative therapy, and I’m working towards a qualification in somatic therapy/coaching.
What I don’t currently offer is direct trauma therapy – all my clients have experienced and/or live with trauma, and some have (c)PTSD, which I can absolutely sit with, but if you want to go in and directly target traumatic events and memories, I highly recommend you find a neurodivergent, neuroaffirming EMDR therapist.
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
I’m a queer, cisgendered female (she/her), from the early 80s, autistic, dyslexic, dyspraxic and dyscalculic. I consider myself an international, having lived abroad from I was 21-40, but I’m from Denmark and my English is definitely better than my Danish! And I tend to change my hair colour frequently!
PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
– I work online and use Google Meet (because you don’t have to have an account, log in or install an app, which I really appreciate).
– Sessions are 60 minutes long and cost £90/€100/850DKK
– You book sessions on an ad hoc basis (unless you specify that you want regular sessions on the same day/time), which allows flexibility around energy management, as well as the financial aspects of private therapy.
– And you book via an online link, which also allows you to cancel and reschedule without having to email back and forth with me.
– You can book a free, 30-minute chat to see if we’re a good match and to find out if I can meet your needs, via this link:
https://calendly.com/connect-neurostorycollective/intro-chat
I have several blog posts about what sessions look like, what to expect working with me, my modalities and cancellation (etc):
https://www.neurostorycollective.com/blog
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
I hold a BSc and MSc in Psychology. My MSc focused on autism research and my dissertation was on the consequences of finding out later in life that you’re autistic. I mostly did the Masters because, at 35, I’d just found out that I was autistic, and I just wanted to make extra, doubly sure that I was before bothering a health professional, so why not do a deep dive via a MSc (talk about “hyper-focus”!)?
I did my MSc in 2018-2019 and when I told the course director (in “autism research”) about my dissertation plan, she told me that women can’t be autistic, they’re just anxious. So, luckily, we’ve come some way since then!
I also hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Pluralistic Counselling and a diploma in Transformational Coaching and Coaching Supervision.
(What this translates to, is that I tried to avoid getting a full-time job for as long as possible, while I geeked out on my passion – the human condition – but then I discovered that I could just work full-time for myself and suddenly getting a job didn’t seem that bad – though my boss is a bit of a numpty sometimes – haha).
I’ve freelanced for Thriving Autistic (TA) since the beginning of 2021, and offer post-identification support sessions in collaboration with The Adult Autism Practice, co-facilitate on the monthly social Zoom TA offer, and am also a facilitator on TA’s Discovery Programme.
During my MSc, I did my work placement with SWAN (Scottish Women’s Autism Network) and now enjoy being part of the autistic community NAUK (Denmark).
Thank you so much for stopping by my profile. I really appreciate it. And I hope you find what you’re looking for.