East Durham Counselling

East Durham Counselling An inclusive counselling service based in Peterlee, offering in person, telephone and online sessions

17/06/2025

Transphobia is the problem

The Advocate

06/06/2025

Study found ADHD is not becoming more common, despite a surge in people being diagnosed.

05/06/2025

What does Pride have to do with Neurodivergent people?

A lot!!

So let's go over a few things...
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We know that Autistics are more likely to identify as LGBTQA

And because so many Autistics perceive gender differently and are gender non conforming, we even have our own AUTI-GENDER flag!

(It's green and really pretty)
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ADHD folks are part of Pride, too.

They are more likely to have ambivalent feelings about their gender identity, AND they are more likely to experience same s*x relationships!

There's even a word for the connection between ADHD (or other forms of Neurodivergence) and being LGBTQA: NeuroQ***r.
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Plus, I am Neurodivergent and Inters*x.

I bring the "I" to LGBTQIA,

and ally myself with all the Trans and Gender Non conforming folks who are impacted by discrimination in Healthcare, competitive sports, public service, bathroom access, employment, and education.
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When you really think about it, nothing says Neuro-Spicy AND Q***r, like people who:

love trance music

got in trouble at school

treat our pets like children

are very particular about displaying our collections

get excited about Hannah Gadsby, Janelle Monae, Cara Delavigne, and Billie Eilish

are described as "highly sensitive"

have unconventional mannerisms

enjoy identifying flags

have a strong sense of social justice

use super specific, coded or antiquated language

identify heavily with animals (bears, otters, cubs, bulls, cats)

worry that someone will unmask us

do T-rex arms ("limp wrists")

enjoy hanging out with drama and art teachers

feel like pants should be optional

memorize monologues from classic films

get excited to dress up in fun costumes

and like to sort our possessions into Rainbow order

Watched an incredible webinar linking neurodivergence to hypermobility, chronic pain and inflammatory disorders by the i...
31/05/2025

Watched an incredible webinar linking neurodivergence to hypermobility, chronic pain and inflammatory disorders by the incredible Dr Jessica Eccles. Please watch if you have a spare hour and are medically minded - this explains so much for many of us.

29/05/2025

Important Update for Clients Regarding ADHD Shared Care in County Durham & Darlington

Today I was informed by one of our local GPs that, within the County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust, they are no longer allowed to accept accept shared care agreements for ADHD diagnoses made by private providers — even if those providers are listed under the Right to Choose pathway.

This means that while the Right to Choose gives you the ability to access an ADHD assessment via approved private providers, including prescriptions subsidised by the NHS, if you have a private diagnosis with the view of working towards shared care after titration, your GP is no longer able to take on prescribing responsibility afterward. This can result in difficulties accessing medication unless private follow-up care is continued — which, understandably, may not be financially sustainable for many.

For us, this is currently looking like continuing to pay for private prescriptions whilst on the Right to Choose waiting list, despite having a private diagnosis.

I know how disheartening this news may feel, especially for those already navigating a complex and exhausting system. Please know that you’re not alone, and I’m here to support you however I can.

I will be seeking wider clarification and confirmation of this as I know up to now shared care has already been hit and miss, and heavily dependent on the individual GP themselves.

If this affects you or you’re unsure what this means for your care, feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to provide support on this fee-free.

25/05/2025

20/05/2025

A quick personal update for my lovely clients 💬

Over the past few weeks, I’ve not quite been feeling myself — a mix of fatigue, pain, and a bit of brain fog has been getting the better of me. (Anyone who knows me will tell you, if I’m skipping Muay Thai classes, something’s definitely up!)

This isn’t something I take lightly — especially when it impacts the work I care so deeply about. I even managed to double-book a session recently… which is only the second time that’s happened in four years.

I’m still here, still committed, and still showing up — just maybe a little slower than usual while I get to the bottom of what’s going on. Thank you for bearing with me, and for your continued patience and kindness. It truly means the world.

Take care of yourselves, and I’ll do the same 💙

19/05/2025
“Inside Our ADHD Minds” currently on BBC iPlayer.“And if I had one piece of advice for the Chris who on several occasion...
14/05/2025

“Inside Our ADHD Minds” currently on BBC iPlayer.

“And if I had one piece of advice for the Chris who on several occasions so nearly failed to be here, it would be this. Ask for, find and accept professional help as soon as you think you might need it. Boys do cry and there are people out there who can fix you.”

When you put it like that…https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16C4CDuWCV/?mibextid=wwXIfr
07/05/2025

When you put it like that…

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16C4CDuWCV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instead of saying “I’ve got ADHD,” say:

I live with a neurological condition that affects nearly every part of how I think, feel, move, and interact with the world. It includes:

Cognitive paralysis struggling to begin even the simplest task

Emotional dysregulation where emotions hit harder, last longer and change rapidly

Rejection sensitivity perceived or actual rejection can feel devastating

Mood swings and emotional volatility

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) intense anxiety when faced with expectations

Social awkwardness, masking and constantly replaying conversations

Impulsivity interrupting, oversharing, impulsive spending, and risk-taking

Sensory overload noise, light, textures, and smells can overwhelm or distract

Sensory seeking craving texture, pressure, movement, or sound to self-regulate

Stimming repetitive movements or sounds to soothe or focus

Auditory processing disorder hearing but not always understanding

Choice paralysis even picking food or clothes can be overwhelming

Justice sensitivity strong reactions to unfairness or inequality

Inconsistent attention either deeply focused or completely disconnected

Trouble interpreting facial expressions, tone or social cues

Inability to prioritise or sequence steps in a task

Chronic restlessness a body that won’t sit still or fully relax

Deep intuition and empathy, often feeling others’ emotions intensely

Rapid shifts in interest, energy and focus

Object and person impermanence ‘out of sight, out of mind’ is very real

Inconsistent sleep difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking

Difficulty creating or sticking to daily routines

Zoning out, dissociation, and ‘ADHD autopilot’

Postural sway physical imbalance or clumsiness

Hyper-awareness of surroundings due to overstimulation

A lifetime of being corrected, misunderstood or criticised

Time blindness underestimating or losing track of time constantly

Burnout from masking, overworking or navigating daily overwhelm

Hormonal sensitivity that worsens ADHD symptoms

A constant need for excessive clarity, reassurance and structure

Intrusive thoughts and obsessive focus on specific interests

Overanalysing social interactions for hours (or days)

Pattern recognition seeing links others miss but also overconnecting

Forgetfulness losing items, forgetting appointments, misplacing thoughts

Brain fog moments where thoughts feel stuck or out of reach

Difficulty shifting tasks or environments transitions feel like brick walls

People pleasing shaped by years of masking and fear of judgement

Discomfort with eye contact can feel intense or unsafe

Intense emotional states feeling everything or feeling nothing

An abundance of ideas but difficulty initiating or completing them

Sensory fatigue needing silence, darkness or alone time to recharge

Trouble with paperwork, phone calls and “simple” life admin

Difficulty identifying and expressing needs in the moment

Paralysis in response to vague or open-ended instructions

Executive dysfunction knowing what to do, but being unable to do it

‘All or nothing’ motivation either completely obsessed or disengaged

A hyperactive mind that rarely pauses day and night

Difficulty regulating food, rest, screen time or boundaries

Emotional flashbacks, often mistaken for overreaction

Easily overwhelmed by clutter, noise or too many choices

Delayed processing emotions or information may take hours or days to click

A nervous system constantly in fight, flight or freeze

Difficulty forming habits, even with strong desire or repetition

Feeling like an alien in a neurotypical world

Difficulty tolerating boredom even brief moments of inactivity can feel unbearable

Emotional hangovers lingering feelings from interactions or overstimulation

Internal restlessness feeling agitated even when physically still

Procrastination paired with perfectionism putting things off until they feel impossible

Overcommitting saying yes too often and burning out later

Feeling misunderstood or labelled as lazy, messy, or careless

Intense creativity that comes in bursts and vanishes unpredictably

Difficulty recognising hunger, thirst or fatigue until it's extreme

Hyperfocus on special interests while neglecting basic tasks

Struggling to self-advocate due to fear of being dismissed or burdensome

Difficulty shifting gears between tasks, conversations or emotions

Starting multiple tasks at once and finishing none

Losing motivation when something stops being new or interesting

Strong resistance to authority or being micromanaged

Forgetting why you entered a room, opened a tab or picked up your phone

Craving novelty and stimulation but becoming overwhelmed by it

Feeling guilt or shame over things that seem “easy” for others

Struggling to recall what was just said in conversations or meetings

Needing visual reminders everywhere or forgetting things exist

Constant mental noise juggling thoughts, ideas, and internal monologues

Interrupting others mid-sentence without meaning to

Feeling emotionally "flooded" by too many tasks or demands

Getting stuck in repetitive thought loops

Avoiding tasks that feel boring, repetitive, or emotionally heavy

Feeling deeply connected to music, movement, or nature

Intense need for autonomy and control over your own schedule

Overspending for dopamine or impulsively buying “solutions”

Hyperfixating on new tools, routines, or systems that quickly fade

Needing fidget toys, chewing, pacing, or tapping to concentrate

Struggling to switch off mentally, even when physically exhausted

Feeling like you're "too much" or "not enough" in social spaces

Avoiding eye contact not out of disrespect but from discomfort

Reading the same sentence over and over and not retaining it

Struggling to track conversations in noisy or group environments

Inconsistent memory vivid recall of some things, blank on others

Experiencing anxiety about tasks you know you’re capable of

Feeling like a burden for needing help or explanation

Trouble regulating tone or volume, especially when excited

Deep emotional response to perceived unfairness or cruelty

Needing movement, stimulation or pressure to feel present in your body

Struggling to interpret vague instructions or open-ended tasks

Avoiding tasks for so long they become emergencies

Constantly re-writing to-do lists but rarely completing them

Over-researching before starting anything

Trouble following multi-step instructions without losing track

Overexplaining to avoid being misunderstood

Deep sense of shame after small mistakes

Extreme difficulty doing tasks when being watched

Easily startled or jumpy due to nervous system sensitivity

Becoming emotionally attached to inanimate objects

Needing background noise to focus or needing complete silence

Forgetting what’s been said while it’s still being said

Bouncing between apps, tabs or thoughts without realising

Using humour or self-deprecation to mask overwhelm

Feeling judged for being “too intense” or “too sensitive”

Relying heavily on alarms, notes, or lists to function

Starting the day energised but crashing hard mid-afternoon

Losing interest in long-term goals that once felt exciting

Over-apologising for simply existing or taking up space

Feeling alienated by systems that assume linear thinking

Difficulty dealing with unplanned changes or last-minute requests

Missing or forgetting social cues, leading to awkward interactions

Getting hyper-focused on a detail and losing sight of the bigger picture

Rushing through tasks in a bid to finish them, even if they’re incomplete

Disliking tasks that feel “mindless” or tedious, but needing them done

Becoming fixated on specific words, phrases, or ideas

Frequent feelings of inadequacy or being “behind” in life

Deep frustration when things don’t go as planned, even with small setbacks

Difficulty trusting your own decisions or instincts

Overthinking potential outcomes of actions, making them harder to take

An urge to keep moving, even when sitting still is required

Easily distracted by external stimuli even conversations in another room

Struggling to prioritise what matters most, leading to feelings of chaos

Becoming obsessed with solving a problem, even when it’s not urgent

Experiencing “analysis paralysis” when faced with too many options

Feeling a constant internal sense of urgency, even when there's no immediate need

Sensing an internal conflict between what you want and what you need

Overloading yourself with responsibilities because you don’t want to disappoint

Difficulty maintaining boundaries due to fear of upsetting others

Craving structure but often resisting it when it’s presented

Feeling misunderstood or not fully seen by others

Struggling to manage multiple responsibilities at once

Hyperawareness of your own actions, leading to self-consciousness

Tendency to over-complicate simple tasks due to overthinking

Being highly sensitive to criticism or perceived failure

Deep frustration with incomplete projects or unfinished business

Constantly moving from one interest to another without completing the first

Struggling to focus on things that don’t feel immediately rewarding

Feeling drained after socialising, even if it was enjoyable

Need for constant stimulation, leading to distractions or disorganisation

Difficulty judging how long things will take or managing time

A feeling of “catching up” on everything, even when you're not behind

Constantly adjusting your environment to fit your needs (light, sound, etc.)

Wanting to help others, but getting overwhelmed by the demands

Shifting from being extremely productive to burnout in cycles

Trouble with impulse control, such as interrupting or speaking out of turn

Over-reliance on lists and reminders to compensate for forgetfulness

Sensitivity to textures or materials, causing discomfort in clothing or seating

The need to mentally rehearse before events or interactions to feel prepared

Becoming fixated on specific routines or rituals to feel in control

Feeling overwhelmed by too many tasks, even if they’re small

Forgetting where you placed things and retracing steps multiple times

Frequently losing track of conversations or missing key details

Difficulty saying no, leading to overcommitment and stress

Often needing to retreat or be alone to recharge after social interactions

Feeling like you're "wired differently" and struggling to fit societal norms

A tendency to over-promise and under-deliver due to disorganisation

Having intense, fluctuating interests that can seem obsessive

Difficulty with transitions, such as moving between tasks or environments

Missing appointments or deadlines despite intentions to be organised

Tendency to start projects with enthusiasm but struggle to finish them

Being hypersensitive to sounds, lights, or environments that others may not notice

Frequent second-guessing of decisions or actions

Being highly distractible by both internal thoughts and external stimuli

A deep sense of urgency that causes stress, even with no pressing deadline

Difficulty with routine, but simultaneously feeling stressed by lack of it

Overloading your schedule with tasks or events without considering time constraints

Becoming overly focused on one small detail, missing the larger picture

Struggling to relax or unwind without distractions or activities

A tendency to engage in risky behaviours due to impulsivity or lack of foresight

03/05/2025

Take this autism test for adults to help answer the question: Do I have autism? Am I on the spectrum?

Address

Peterlee

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 3pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 8pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 8pm
Thursday 4pm - 8pm
Friday 9:30am - 8pm

Telephone

+447368853264

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