ABIGAIL

ADULT ADHD COUNSELLOR 
YOUTH COUNSELLOR 13+
PARENTING SUPPORT
LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY

DIAGNOSED COMBINED ADHD 
ADHD SON 

LOCATION ~ L32

Abigail was diagnosed with ADHD Combined type in October 2023 after her Counselling Tutor mentioned to her that she thought she had ADHD traits.  This was revolutionary and allowed Abigail to look back at her life, finally being able to make sense of so many things.

For as long as she could remember Abigail had a sense of being ‘different’ and worse – that this was somehow visible to others.  She was convinced people thought she was ‘too much’.  This affected her to the point she often felt she had to shrink to be more tolerated by people.

As an undiagnosed Combined type ADHD teen, Abigail had struggled with emotional dysregulation and impulsivity.  Experiences in her own life and therapy at this time has offered Abigail a unique lens to relate to and work with young clients now.  Abigail has therapeutic experience working with young people experiencing lgbtq+, self-harm, drug and alcohol misuse, ACEs and sexual exploitation.

Having her own successful therapy Abigail is now passionate about developing self-acceptance, authenticity and ‘dropping the mask’ not only for herself, but also with her clients.

Abigail is mother of a son with ADHD and has often felt stigmatised and judged because of his behaviour.  This has made her passionate about helping clients who are struggling with ADHD children of their own.

Abigail is also a Lecturer and is currently researching barriers to accessing therapy amongst Mothers who have experienced ACEs – Adverse Childhood Experiences.  Abigail is diagnosed with PTSD and has an interest in working with inter-generational trauma. She fully understands how complex it is to be both neurodivergent, have childhood trauma and at the same time be a good parent.

Abigail works a lot with identity.  She has researched in depth about ‘intersectional identity’ to gain an understanding of how different aspects of our identity affect us.  Abigail is neurodivergent, LGBTQ+ and a single mother to a neurodivergent, mixed-race son.  With this lived experience Abigail is able to relate to how different layers of identity can overlap and impact our lives.

Abigail works with families impacted by parental imprisonment.  She provides individual therapy and runs peer support groups for both parents and young people who have a family member In Prison.

Abigail works with ADHD clients initially by helping them to understand the condition fully themselves, by promoting understanding to develop self-acceptance working towards building a more authentic happy life.

Abigail has a Bachelors degree in Early childhood Studies, a PGDIP in Counselling and Psychotherapy practice and is currently working towards a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Abigail’s practice is person-centred however she incorporates somatic practices into her work.  ‘Somatic’ refers to the mind-body connection.  Somatic practices help to increase body awareness, help recognise bodily sensations, and develop an understanding of physical and emotional states.

Abigail now uses her own lived experience and her extensive counselling training to help ADHD clients move towards a fulfilling and successful life. 

Qualifications

• PGDIP Counselling and Psychotherapy 2023
  
• BA Honours Early Childhood Studies  2021
  
• Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools NVQ Level 2  2016
  
• Certificate in Safeguarding Level 2 2023

CPD

• Female Genital Mutilation Awareness
  
• Sexual Violence and Harassment Between Children & Young People
  
• Child Exploitation
  
• Domestic Abuse Children & Young People
  
• Child Neglect
  
• Autism Awareness
  
• Dealing with Bereavement & Loss
  
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
  
• Mental Wellbeing in Children & Young People
  
• Online Safety
  
• Overcoming Loneliness
  
• The Prevent Duty
  
• Raising Awareness of Peer-on-Peer Abuse

2023 – Additional training in PACE model. PACE is an approach developed by Dr Dan Hughes, an American psychologist who works with traumatised children. PACE is Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy. These principles help to promote the experience of safety in your interactions with young people.

ABIGAIL

ADULT ADHD COUNSELLOR

YOUTH COUNSELLOR 13+

PARENTING SUPPORT

LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY

DIAGNOSED COMBINED ADHD
ADHD SON

LOCATION ~ L32

Abigail was diagnosed with ADHD Combined type in October 2023 after her Counselling Tutor mentioned to her that she thought she had ADHD traits.  This was revolutionary and allowed Abigail to look back at her life, finally being able to make sense of so many things.

For as long as she could remember Abigail had a sense of being ‘different’ and worse – that this was somehow visible to others.  She was convinced people thought she was ‘too much’.  This affected her to the point she often felt she had to shrink to be more tolerated by people.

As an undiagnosed Combined type ADHD teen, Abigail had struggled with emotional dysregulation and impulsivity.  Experiences in her own life and therapy at this time has offered Abigail a unique lens to relate to and work with young clients now.  Abigail has therapeutic experience working with young people experiencing lgbtq+, self-harm, drug and alcohol misuse, ACEs and sexual exploitation.

Having her own successful therapy Abigail is now passionate about developing self-acceptance, authenticity and ‘dropping the mask’ not only for herself, but also with her clients.

Abigail is mother of a son with ADHD and has often felt stigmatised and judged because of his behaviour.  This has made her passionate about helping clients who are struggling with ADHD children of their own.

Abigail is also a Lecturer and is currently researching barriers to accessing therapy amongst Mothers who have experienced ACEs – Adverse Childhood Experiences.  Abigail is diagnosed with PTSD and has an interest in working with inter-generational trauma. She fully understands how complex it is to be both neurodivergent, have childhood trauma and at the same time be a good parent.

Abigail works a lot with identity.  She has researched in depth about ‘intersectional identity’ to gain an understanding of how different aspects of our identity affect us.  Abigail is neurodivergent, LGBTQ+ and a single mother to a neurodivergent, mixed-race son.  With this lived experience Abigail is able to relate to how different layers of identity can overlap and impact our lives.

Abigail works with families impacted by parental imprisonment.  She provides individual therapy and runs peer support groups for both parents and young people who have a family member In Prison.

Abigail works with ADHD clients initially by helping them to understand the condition fully themselves, by promoting understanding to develop self-acceptance working towards building a more authentic happy life.

Abigail has a Bachelors degree in Early childhood Studies, a PGDIP in Counselling and Psychotherapy practice and is currently working towards a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Abigail’s practice is person-centred however she incorporates somatic practices into her work.  ‘Somatic’ refers to the mind-body connection.  Somatic practices help to increase body awareness, help recognise bodily sensations, and develop an understanding of physical and emotional states.

Abigail now uses her own lived experience and her extensive counselling training to help ADHD clients move towards a fulfilling and successful life. 

Qualifications

• PGDIP Counselling and Psychotherapy 2023
  
• BA Honours Early Childhood Studies  2021
  
• Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools NVQ Level 2  2016
  
• Certificate in Safeguarding Level 2 2023

CPD

• Female Genital Mutilation Awareness
  
• Sexual Violence and Harassment Between Children & Young People
  
• Child Exploitation
  
• Domestic Abuse Children & Young People
  
• Child Neglect
  
• Autism Awareness
  
• Dealing with Bereavement & Loss
  
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
  
• Mental Wellbeing in Children & Young People
  
• Online Safety
  
• Overcoming Loneliness
  
• The Prevent Duty
  
• Raising Awareness of Peer-on-Peer Abuse

2023 – Additional training in PACE model. PACE is an approach developed by Dr Dan Hughes, an American psychologist who works with traumatised children. PACE is Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy. These principles help to promote the experience of safety in your interactions with young people.