In-person or Online

Hi, I’m Anna — a counsellor specialising in autism, ADHD & chronic illness

An autistic & ADHD person myself, I’m a different kind of counsellor for a different kind of client. Working online or from my office in St. Neots, Cambridgeshire.

Contact Me

Read my FAQ →

Anna Hayward MNCPS Accred.

(Pronouns: she/her)

About Me

I founded Not Like the Others Counselling out of my belief that autistic and ADHD people need a different kind of counselling: One that adapts to their differences rather than forcing a round peg into a square hole. I wasn’t diagnosed autistic and ADHD until my 30s, so I know myself how important it is that people ‘get you’. It’s not about ‘curing’ your autism or ADHD, or coaching you how to ‘mask’ more – it’s about learning to accept yourself as you are, and working with what you’ve got, whether you’re diagnosed or not.

Life with a neurodivergence can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be miserable.

Living with health conditions myself, I also have a particular interest in working with people experiencing chronic ill-health and physical disability, which is much more common in our community. My experiences (among others) include hypomobility/EDS, autoimmune disorders, chronic pain and fatigue, and cancer.

As a cisgender late-coming-out lesbian with a gender expansive family and social group, I am inclusive of all sexualities and genders. My pronouns are she/her.

Services

Counselling for Autism/ADHD &
Chronic Illness

My approach is adapted from the Person Centred Approach, to address your needs as a neurodivergent individual. I believe the client is the expert in the room – no one knows you like yourself.

It is my job to help you figure yourself out and start finding ways to live that embrace your differences rather than dismissing them.

Sessions are typically relaxed and conversational, although I will provide structure to clients who need it.

Supervision & Mentoring

Based on 26+ years of lived experience, in addition to my training. I can provide clinical supervision or mentoring for counsellors, wellbeing professionals and social care workers.

Mostly I work with neurodivergent professionals, but occasionally neurotypical professionals seek insights into their autistic or ADHD clients.

I am happy to do ad hoc or regular supervision, or mentoring.

Please Note: I am currently a trainee supervisor.

Training

If you’re a counsellor, trainer or social care worker who wants to know more about your autistic and ADHD clients, I can help.

Training is based on my extensive lived and lifelong experience, in addition to my professional training as a counsellor.

Online or in-person, I present engaging, informative workshops to help you work alongside neurodivergent clients and service users, with confidence.