Oasis Psychological Services

23/06/2025

I almost didn’t share this…

Because rest doesn’t always come naturally — especially when your nervous system is wired for doing, overdoing, proving, and keeping it all together.

As an ADHDer and Clinical Psychologist, I’ve spent years unlearning the idea that rest has to be earned. That you have to be productive enough to deserve a pause. That it’s only safe to stop when everything is done (and for many of us, it’s never all done).

But this moment — sitting with family, sipping a cocktail, letting the day go — reminded me of something I often say to others but still need to hear myself:

✨ You are allowed to rest.
✨ You don’t have to earn it.
✨ Slowing down is part of the work.

Whether you’re a parent supporting a child through big feelings and sensory overwhelm, or a neurodivergent adult trying to navigate burnout, masking, or expectations — please know:
You are allowed to stop and breathe.
Rest isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline.

If no one’s told you lately: You’re doing enough. You are enough.

🍸 (And yes, the cocktail helped.)

12/04/2025

🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹 Aprile è il Mese dell’Accettazione dell’Autismo.

In questo video condivido alcune riflessioni su cosa significhi davvero accettare l’autismo, andando oltre l’inclusione formale e riconoscendo il valore delle menti neurodivergenti.

La neurodivergenza non è un errore da correggere, ma una differenza da comprendere, rispettare e celebrare.

Guardate il video e condividetelo se vi è piaciuto o vi ha fatto riflettere.
Seguitemi per altri contenuti su autismo, ADHD e neurodivergenza.

Un saluto da me e da Loki 🐾

08/04/2025

April is Autism Acceptance MonthAutism acceptance is more than awareness. It’s about truly seeing, valuing, and including autistic people for who they are—not who we expect them to be.It means celebrating strengths, supporting differences, and making space for neurodivergent voices in all areas of life.Let’s shift the focus from fixing to understanding, from tolerance to true inclusion

02/02/2025

🌟Comprehensive ADHD & Autism Assessments – A Neuroaffirming Approach🌟

At Oasis Psychological Services, we understand that ADHD and Autism don’t always look like the stereotypes. Many children, adolescents, and adults go undiagnosed for years because their experiences don’t fit the traditional mould.

Our neuroaffirming assessments go beyond a checklist of symptoms. We take a comprehensive, strengths-based approach, exploring:
✅ Unique challenges and strengths
✅ Possible co-occurring conditions
✅ Individual identity and lived experiences
✅ Personalised recommendations for support at school, home, work, and relationships

Our assessments are a collaborative process, ensuring you feel heard, understood, and supported—whether for yourself or your child.

📍 Assessments for children & adolescents: Face-to-face in our Ashford offices (parental interviews can be online).
💻 Assessments for adults: Choice of face-to-face in our offices or online.

We are a highly experienced and well-established service led by specialist Clinical Psychologists with extensive expertise in ADHD and Autism across the lifespan. Our team has supported individuals of all ages—including those whose profiles do not fit traditional diagnostic stereotypes. Families and individuals travel from across the UK, including Kent, London, Surrey, Sussex, and Wales, to access our in-depth, neuroaffirming assessments.

📩 **Book an initial consultation with one of our Clinical Psychologists**:
📧 info@oasispsychologicalservices.co.uk

We aim to offer a caring and professional mental health service provision that is tailored to the needs of our service-users. Learn more inside.

25/12/2024

As the year comes to an end, we just wanted to send a big thank you to everyone we’ve worked with over the past year. Whether you’ve come to us for assessments, support, or advice, it’s been such a privilege to be part of your journey.

This time of year can be both magical and a little overwhelming, so we hope you can find moments to rest, recharge, and celebrate all the incredible progress you’ve made. We’re so proud of everything you’ve achieved—big or small.

Here’s to a Christmas full of kindness (especially to yourself!) and a New Year that brings more of the good stuff. We’ll be here to support you every step of the way in 2025.

Wishing you a peaceful and happy holiday season,
The Oasis Psychological Services Team

25/10/2024

🌟 Fostering Independence and Self-Belief in Neurodivergent Children and Teens 🌟

Every child needs support in learning how to become independent, but neurodivergent children and teens, such as those with Autism or ADHD, often require extra guidance. They may develop emotionally and socially at a younger level than their peers, which means fostering independence can take more time and care.

Here are some key strategies for helping ND kids and teens develop the confidence and skills to be more independent:

Help Them Set Goals 🎯: Guide them in brainstorming goals, but let them take ownership. Letting them decide on their goals fosters self-belief.

Reflect on Overcoming Barriers 💪: Look back on their past successes and discuss what they’ve learned about themselves. What worked, and what skills did they develop?

Notice and Be Aware 👀: Gently notice their challenges without judgment. Helping them reflect can encourage growth in areas where they need support.

Validate Their Effort 🌱: Acknowledge and celebrate their effort towards their goals, even if they haven’t fully achieved them yet. Validation is key to building self-confidence.

Encourage Asking for Help 🙋: Teach them that asking for help is a skill, not a weakness. Support them in reaching out for help when they need it, whether at home or in school.

Accept Mistakes as Part of Growth 🌿: Neurodivergent kids may be more sensitive to criticism, especially when they make mistakes. Instead of saying, “I told you so,” try: “I’ve been there too, and it’s okay.” This approach shows support and encourages resilience.

At Oasis Psychological Services, we understand the unique challenges ND children and teens face in developing independence. We are passionate about helping them grow through neuroaffirming support tailored to their needs.

Contact us at info@oasispsychologicalservice.co.uk for more resources and support! 🌿

22/10/2024

I’m incredibly passionate about understanding ADHD and how it impacts people of all ages. Through my work, I’ve seen so many individuals struggle with a cycle that can feel impossible to break. That’s why I’ve created this visual illustration to shed light on what many ADHDers experience daily. Here’s a breakdown of each stage:

🔵 Tasks Within Ability: It starts with tasks the individual knows they can complete. They have the skills needed to do it, but something begins to get in the way. 🎯

🔵 Inconsistent Performance: Even though they can perform the tasks, their performance is often inconsistent. One day they’re highly productive, and the next, they may struggle to get anything done. This inconsistency can be confusing and frustrating. 😓📉

🔵 Executive Functioning (EF) Difficulties: This inconsistency is largely due to Executive Functioning (EF) difficulties—skills like planning, organising, time management, and prioritising. People with ADHD often struggle in these areas, making it hard to stay organised or on top of tasks, even when they want to. 🗂️🕒

🔵 Not Fulfilling Potential: Over time, these struggles lead the individual to feel like they’re not living up to their potential. They know they can do more, but the gap between their abilities and actual performance grows, leading to frustration and disappointment. 😔🚧

🔵 Self-Mistrust Beliefs: This is where self-mistrust beliefs develop. Over time, a combination of external feedback (comments from teachers, parents, or colleagues about missed deadlines or underperformance) and internal self-criticism reinforces the idea that they can’t trust themselves to follow through. These negative beliefs erode their confidence, trapping them in a cycle of self-doubt. 💭❌

🔵 Escape/Avoidance Behaviours: To cope with mounting stress and self-doubt, they start avoiding tasks altogether. Procrastination and distraction become coping mechanisms, offering temporary relief but ultimately making the situation worse. Tasks pile up, and the cycle continues. ⏳🚶‍♀️

At Oasis Psychological Services, we are deeply committed to supporting individuals through these challenges. Our clinical psychologists and therapists are trained in providing post-diagnostic support for ADHD, using personalised approaches that adapt therapies like CBT, ACT, and CFT specifically for ADHD. These interventions focus on improving executive functioning, self-compassion, and emotional regulation.

We are here to help you break free from this cycle and regain control of your life. 🌟 For tailored support, contact us at info@oasispsychologicalservice.co.uk.

You don’t have to face this alone. 💬

19/10/2024

Thank you Neurochild Community for posting such a powerful quote!!

As a clinical psychologist specialising in neurodivergence, this quote from Dr Bruce Perry resonates deeply. When the expectations of society or the environment are misaligned with a child’s developmental differences—whether due to ADHD, Autism, dyslexia, DLD, or other neurodevelopmental conditions—it can create significant emotional, cognitive, and social stress. Children are often left feeling inadequate or frustrated, leading to secondary issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, or behavioural problems. The key is to adjust our expectations and environments to fit the child’s developmental profile, fostering growth in a supportive and understanding context. A neuroaffirmative approach ensures that we meet the child where they are, rather than forcing them to meet unrealistic external demands.

When we expect more from children than they can handle developmentally, we risk creating unnecessary challenges for them. Dr. Bruce Perry reminds us to meet kids where they are and nurture their potential with patience. 🌱

✨ Find Neurochild on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/neurochild/

19/10/2024

ADHD often presents in more subtle ways in girls and women, making it harder to spot and frequently leading to misdiagnosis or being overlooked altogether🌸

While boys may exhibit more visible signs of hyperactivity, girls often mask their symptoms by appearing overly organised, people-pleasing, or striving for perfection.

Behind these behaviours, they may struggle with focus, anxiety, and emotional regulation. These internalised symptoms can significantly affect their self-esteem, relationships, and academic or work performance.

At Oasis Psychological Services, we understand these unique challenges 🌿.

We provide specialised ADHD assessments for girls and women, from age 6 through adulthood, to help uncover these hidden struggles and provide the right support.
🌟 Whether you're a parent concerned about your child or an adult seeking clarity, we are here to guide you on your journey.

📧 Contact us at info@oasispsychologicalservice.co.uk to learn more and take the next step towards understanding and support!

14/05/2024

Masking: this explains it beautifully

What Masking Looks Like In School...

[Image of a perfectly folded origami creation made of blue paper. Text reads, 'In school: Perfectly put together, well behaved'. Below is a crumpled ball of blue paper. Text reads, 'At home: Upset, anger, unable to cope.']

Credit: Lucy Roth (Educational Mental Health Practitioner)

13/05/2024

In my over 20 years of dedicating my career to working closely with schools, teachers, and educators, I've had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the genuine desire of many educators to make a positive difference in the lives of neurodivergent students. These teachers truly care about inclusivity and strive to create an environment where every student can thrive. However, despite their best efforts, they often find themselves constrained by the limitations of the education system.

It's like they're caught in a bind. On one hand, they have this deep-seated passion and commitment to support neurodivergent students, understanding their unique needs and advocating for their inclusion. On the other hand, they're faced with rigid policies, standardised curriculums, and a lack of resources that prevent them from fully implementing inclusive practices. It's a frustrating reality for both teachers and students alike.

So when I came across an article by Elly Desmarchelier, a disability rights activist, it really struck a chord with me. Desmarchelier's argument resonated deeply because it pinpointed the real issue: it's not about there being an increasing number of autistic or ADHD students; it's about the systemic barriers that prevent them from receiving the support they need.

The current education system, with its one-size-fits-all approach, often fails to accommodate the diverse needs of neurodivergent students. This results in these students feeling marginalised and misunderstood, struggling to thrive in an environment that doesn't recognise their strengths and unique ways of learning.

Desmarchelier's call for inclusive learning environments where each student's support needs are understood and met is not just a call to action; it's a rallying cry for change. It's time for a fundamental shift in how we approach neurodiversity in education.

Instead of viewing neurodivergent individuals through a deficit model that focuses solely on their challenges, we need to adopt a strengths-based approach that recognises and celebrates their abilities. This means creating policies that prioritise early intervention, investing in adequate mental health support, and providing teachers with the necessary training and resources to effectively support neurodivergent students in the classroom.

As someone who has dedicated their career to advocating for the needs of neurodivergent individuals, I believe that it's our collective responsibility to dismantle the systemic barriers that prevent these students from accessing the education and support they deserve. It's time to bridge the gap between intention and action, and truly create inclusive learning environments where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

11/05/2024

“☀️ Embracing the sunshine with my loyal four-legged companion, Loki! 🐾 For those with ADHD and autism, soaking up the sun while taking a stroll can do wonders for our focus, attention, and overall well-being. 🌿 Whether it’s our routine walk or a spontaneous adventure, the boost of dopamine from nature’s embrace is truly therapeutic. 🌳 ”