Aga Kaperek Nova Counselling

26/03/2026

When someone finally receives a diagnosis, it can come as relief and shock all at once.

Relief, because there’s finally a name for experiences you’ve carried alone for years; shock, because that name can suddenly make you feel like a fraud. You might catch yourself thinking: “Did I manipulate the clinician? Did I exaggerate? Was I clever enough to get them to agree with me?”

These thoughts are part of imposter syndrome, and they’re surprisingly common in this context.

The reality is that getting a diagnosis doesn’t require cleverness or manipulation. It requires honesty, patience, and sometimes a willingness to revisit experiences you’ve hidden even from yourself. Feeling like you tricked someone doesn’t mean you did - it means you’ve spent so long managing how you present yourself, and so long wondering if your experiences count, that it feels unnatural to believe someone else can see them clearly.

There’s compassion to be found here. What feels like fraudulence is often just a mind trying to reconcile years of doubt, criticism, and self-surveillance with the simple truth: your experiences are valid, your challenges real, and your self-understanding matters. Imposter feelings are not a reflection of dishonesty — they are the echoes of a lifetime spent wondering if you “count.”

Receiving a diagnosis can stir many emotions, and self-doubt is one of them. Let yourself sit with that doubt without judgement. Let yourself recognise that the complexity of your experiences does not require proof to be real.

Stay kind and curious,

Aga

06/03/2026

This is the kind of moment people point to when they say someone is “too literal”.

An instruction was given.
The instruction was followed.
From a neurodivergent perspective, that makes perfect sense.

But many environments rely on something else entirely implied meaning, social cues, and the expectation that you’ll filter the words through a layer of context that hasn’t actually been explained.

So the issue isn’t always misunderstanding.

Sometimes it’s that two different communication systems are operating at the same time.

Stay kind and curious,

Aga

12/12/2025

This is a bit of a reintroduction.

I’m Aga – an integrative counsellor working with Autistic & ADHD adults across the UK.

Many of the people I work with arrive exhausted - from masking, from trying harder, from believing they’re failing at life.
I’m not interested in therapy that promotes toxic positivity, and I don’t sell “superpowers”.

Neurodivergence explains challenges with focus, regulation, and overwhelm.
It doesn’t mean you’re broken, and equally, it doesn’t give anyone a free pass to hurt others or relinquish responsibility.

This work isn’t about productivity hacks or becoming someone else.
It’s about understanding your limits, making sense of patterns, and building a life that fits your nervous system.

If this kind of therapy space feels right, you’re welcome to get in touch.

But above all, stay kind and curious.

Aga

08/09/2025

You can be an ADHDer and still be tired of how it’s talked about.

The superpower narrative? Sometimes it’s just a mask for how hard things really are.
The trauma-only explanation? Doesn’t hold up when you look at the evidence.
And the idea that “everyone’s a bit ADHD now”? That’s just lazy thinking.

None of this helps the people who are navigating real challenges — in work, in relationships, in their own heads.

ADHD is real. It’s complex. And it deserves better than TikTok psychology and productivity hacks dressed up as support.

You’re not broken if you’re struggling. You’re not doing it wrong if routines don’t fix it.

Sometimes the most helpful thing is cutting through the noise.

Stay kind and curious,
Aga

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06/04/2025

It’s weird how easy it is to look at someone else’s life and think we know exactly what they should do.
Especially when we’re not the ones living it.

“You should’ve thought of that earlier.”
“If I were you...”
“It’s simple — just do this.”

Sound familiar?

It feels like we see things clearly. Like we understand the situation. Like we’re right.

But the truth is, the less we know about someone’s life, the more likely we are to oversimplify.
The less we feel, the quicker we judge.
And that certainty? It’s rarely wisdom. Usually, it’s just ignorance.

We don’t see the full picture.
The limits that take away choice.
The loyalty that makes it hard to leave.
The fear that paralyses.
The beliefs shaped in childhood that still hold power.

From the outside, it might look straightforward.
From the inside, it might be the only way someone knows how to survive.

Telling others what they should do can be tempting.
But emotional maturity asks something different of us:

To accept that our view is just one of many.
To hold space for the idea that someone’s “weird” or “bad” decisions might make sense in a way we just don’t get yet.

People don’t need our opinions or golden advice.
They need our presence.

And real wisdom?
It usually shows up as silence, curiosity, and kindness.
Aga

04/04/2025

The Spidey reel got a lot of attention.
Most of it was good, so thank you. Some of it… wasn’t.
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Plenty of comments dismissed ADHD altogether.
Others went straight for the meds:
“Big Pharma scam.”
“Just get more sleep.”
“Stop drugging people for being different.”
⠀
So here’s a carousel that cuts through that noise.
Not promoting medication. Not dismissing it either.
Just facts. Context. And a reminder that what works for one person won’t work for everyone.
⠀
ADHD is real.
And for some people, medication is part of how they stay afloat.
That doesn’t make them weak, broken, or lazy.
It makes them human.

Stay curious but mostly kind,
Aga
⠀


Reference:
Thapar, A., Cooper, M., & Eyre, O. (2022). What have we learnt about the causes of ADHD? Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 63(4), 422–430. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13577

03/04/2025

My article for Counselling Directory

A missed ADHD diagnosis can impact confidence, career, and self-trust. The grief that follows is real - but often unseen. Aga Kaperek explores why it hurts, and how ADHD-informed therapy can support healing 💬 http://ow.ly/JQEp1063xTq

12/03/2025

Are you an adult with disabilities who wants to get out and socialise and meet new friends? Do you support someone who would like to get out more. We have booked the Albermare Centre which has a changing places bathroom meaning it’s accessible to everyone. We are a really friendly group so why not come along and join us for a social.

18/02/2025

Just a reminder that you can find most relevant information on my website re therapy with me. If there's anything else you want to ask, drop me a message.

novacounselling.co.uk

25/01/2025

Don't forget Winter Yoga ❄️🧘 will be taking place again on Sunday this week. 9.30am at the Albemarle Centre, TA1 1BA. No need to book, just turn up and enjoy! ✅

It's £3 a session or you can grab a season pass until the end of April for £25. There is free parking in the Flook House Car Park or if you are lucky, in the street right outside the Centre. See you there!

09/01/2025

Let's help local businesses!