Education and Learning Disabilities Counselling in Twickenham
I have over 10 years’ experience working with learning disabilities and autism, and I adapt my approach to ensure counselling is accessible, flexible and tailored to your individual needs.
I focus on understanding what it’s like to be you. When you feel safe, accepted and understood, growth and meaningful change become possible. I have particular experience supporting clients of colour and adults with learning disabilities and autism, as well as those navigating anxiety, emotional overwhelm, low self‑esteem and general life challenges
I have over 10 years’ experience working with learning disabilities and autism, and I adapt my approach to ensure counselling is accessible, flexible and tailored to your individual needs.
I focus on understanding what it’s like to be you. When you feel safe, accepted and understood, growth and meaningful change become possible. I have particular experience supporting clients of colour and adults with learning disabilities and autism, as well as those navigating anxiety, emotional overwhelm, low self‑esteem and general life challenges
Do you ever feel overwhelmed and feel no one understands you?
Perhaps you worry about making the wrong choice—disappointing someone, causing regret, or just failing. And all the while, you feel you have to keep up a brave front, hiding the inner conflict that no one else seems to notice or truly understand.
If any of this resonates, you don’t have to carry this on your own. Through these words, I hope to show you that I recognise how challenging life can be. With that understanding, I aim to help you feel heard, understood, and supported.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed and feel no one understands you?
Perhaps you worry about making the wrong choice—disappointing someone, causing regret, or just failing. And all the while, you feel you have to keep up a brave front, hiding the inner conflict that no one else seems to notice or truly understand.
If any of this resonates, you don’t have to carry this on your own. Through these words, I hope to show you that I recognise how challenging life can be. With that understanding, I aim to help you feel heard, understood, and supported.
Hello, I’m Tom, an experienced therapist, clinical supervisor, tutor and author. I’ve provided more than 6,500 hours of therapy to hundreds of clients. Ten years in, I continue to be struck by the positive changes my clients make. I have specialist experience supporting queer communities and neurodivergent individuals.
Hello, I’m Tom, an experienced therapist, clinical supervisor, tutor and author. I’ve provided more than 6,500 hours of therapy to hundreds of clients. Ten years in, I continue to be struck by the positive changes my clients make. I have specialist experience supporting queer communities and neurodivergent individuals.
I am specifically trained, at Masters level, to work therapeutically with children, young people, and families as a counsellor and psychotherapist. I am also a qualified teacher with experience of working with children who have been diagnosed, and or who identify as neurodiverse. In addition to my private practice, I work as a school counsellor and I volunteer in a Youth Counselling Service. My therapeutic approach is integrative, meaning I use the ideas and strategies from a range of therapeutic models, matching the best approach suited specifically to you or your child’s needs.
I am specifically trained, at Masters level, to work therapeutically with children, young people, and families as a counsellor and psychotherapist. I am also a qualified teacher with experience of working with children who have been diagnosed, and or who identify as neurodiverse. In addition to my private practice, I work as a school counsellor and I volunteer in a Youth Counselling Service. My therapeutic approach is integrative, meaning I use the ideas and strategies from a range of therapeutic models, matching the best approach suited specifically to you or your child’s needs.
I believe counselling is where heart and soul connect. I take a holistic approach in counselling to balance physical, mental/emotional and spiritual well-being. When life is difficult and uncomfortable, our instinct is to fight or move away from it. I offer a safe space to explore obstacles and find a way forward so you can let go of what doesn’t serve you anymore. I provide a place for you to be seen, heard and valued. My professional experience outside of therapy encompasses social work, adolescent services, women’s health care, and special educational needs.
I believe counselling is where heart and soul connect. I take a holistic approach in counselling to balance physical, mental/emotional and spiritual well-being. When life is difficult and uncomfortable, our instinct is to fight or move away from it. I offer a safe space to explore obstacles and find a way forward so you can let go of what doesn’t serve you anymore. I provide a place for you to be seen, heard and valued. My professional experience outside of therapy encompasses social work, adolescent services, women’s health care, and special educational needs.
We believe in the transformative power of therapy and the resilience inherent in every individual. Our dedicated team of experienced psychologists and psychiatrists provides compassionate support for those navigating mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, stress, and relational difficulties. We understand that each person's journey is unique, and we are committed to fostering a safe and nurturing environment for exploration and healing. Through personalised care and tailored therapeutic approaches, we empower clients to find their paths to well-being. For appointments please call us at +44 7761 931518.
We believe in the transformative power of therapy and the resilience inherent in every individual. Our dedicated team of experienced psychologists and psychiatrists provides compassionate support for those navigating mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, stress, and relational difficulties. We understand that each person's journey is unique, and we are committed to fostering a safe and nurturing environment for exploration and healing. Through personalised care and tailored therapeutic approaches, we empower clients to find their paths to well-being. For appointments please call us at +44 7761 931518.
The anticipated outcome from our therapeutic relationship would be for you to find healing and wholeness in the work we do together. My training and experience means nothing, unless the real me can reach out to the real you with genuine care, empathy and understanding. I am interested in being part of your journey, to help empower you to fully engage in what life has to offer rather than being trapped within pain, trauma or unhappiness which can be devouring. Through a gentle and trusting therapeutic relationship the true work begins as we engage with your true self. We unravel the root cause of emotional pain, anxieties or struggle
The anticipated outcome from our therapeutic relationship would be for you to find healing and wholeness in the work we do together. My training and experience means nothing, unless the real me can reach out to the real you with genuine care, empathy and understanding. I am interested in being part of your journey, to help empower you to fully engage in what life has to offer rather than being trapped within pain, trauma or unhappiness which can be devouring. Through a gentle and trusting therapeutic relationship the true work begins as we engage with your true self. We unravel the root cause of emotional pain, anxieties or struggle
You may be feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and alone, unsure where to turn. You might find that those around you don’t quite get it. I’m here to listen, without judgement. You don’t need to mask, justify yourself, or have the right words. I’ll sit with you and help you feel less alone with whatever you’re carrying. I’m not here to fix you, because you’re not broken. We will work together to understand what brought you to this point, help you make sense of your feelings and experiences, and determine what you need to make changes in your life, if that's what you want to do.
You may be feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and alone, unsure where to turn. You might find that those around you don’t quite get it. I’m here to listen, without judgement. You don’t need to mask, justify yourself, or have the right words. I’ll sit with you and help you feel less alone with whatever you’re carrying. I’m not here to fix you, because you’re not broken. We will work together to understand what brought you to this point, help you make sense of your feelings and experiences, and determine what you need to make changes in your life, if that's what you want to do.
Life carries on, but you don't feel quite like yourself anymore. Perhaps anxiety, stress, grief, burnout or a major life change has left you feeling less steady in yourself. I offer a warm, down-to-earth space to make sense of what's changed.
Many of the people I work with are used to coping. They may be managing work, relationships and responsibilities, yet privately feel overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted or unlike themselves. Others are navigating grief, illness, menopause, ADHD or autism, and trying to understand themselves differently.
Life carries on, but you don't feel quite like yourself anymore. Perhaps anxiety, stress, grief, burnout or a major life change has left you feeling less steady in yourself. I offer a warm, down-to-earth space to make sense of what's changed.
Many of the people I work with are used to coping. They may be managing work, relationships and responsibilities, yet privately feel overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted or unlike themselves. Others are navigating grief, illness, menopause, ADHD or autism, and trying to understand themselves differently.
Often people find that painful experiences and relationships in their past mean that things in the present can be complicated and sometimes hard to bear. They affect how we feel about ourselves, how we feel about the world and how we relate to other people we encounter. If we work together we’ll explore what brought you to therapy now and think together about where the difficulties in your present might have come from. I will listen very carefully to you in order to appreciate what you are feeling so that we can begin to see how you might find a greater freedom in your life.
Often people find that painful experiences and relationships in their past mean that things in the present can be complicated and sometimes hard to bear. They affect how we feel about ourselves, how we feel about the world and how we relate to other people we encounter. If we work together we’ll explore what brought you to therapy now and think together about where the difficulties in your present might have come from. I will listen very carefully to you in order to appreciate what you are feeling so that we can begin to see how you might find a greater freedom in your life.
My inspiration for this career stems from a desire to connect and communicate with people. This inclination has been a thread throughout my life. Having undertaken Counselling myself I have directly experienced the cathartic and powerful change it brings about. I work with both individuals and couples/relationships. Developing a trusting relationship and being aware of what happens between us is core to effective therapy. I work to understand the situation that you need support with and look at how this is impacting your life. I work with both individuals and couples/relationships, including those seeking focused Couples Therapy.
My inspiration for this career stems from a desire to connect and communicate with people. This inclination has been a thread throughout my life. Having undertaken Counselling myself I have directly experienced the cathartic and powerful change it brings about. I work with both individuals and couples/relationships. Developing a trusting relationship and being aware of what happens between us is core to effective therapy. I work to understand the situation that you need support with and look at how this is impacting your life. I work with both individuals and couples/relationships, including those seeking focused Couples Therapy.
Maybe you’re thinking and feeling things you don’t want to think or feel. Or maybe feeling nothing at all. Perhaps things keep going wrong; or perhaps nothing changes. It could be you feel you can’t cope. Or something has just come and hit you for six. Counselling is a safe place to explore things like that. It’s a place with the potential for personal change. Fortunately, we humans can change our minds. Literally. A fancy word for this is plasticity. Even more, we are designed to change in each other’s company. It’s how humans learn to fit in. So we make a new relationship, you and I, and this is our vehicle for change.
Maybe you’re thinking and feeling things you don’t want to think or feel. Or maybe feeling nothing at all. Perhaps things keep going wrong; or perhaps nothing changes. It could be you feel you can’t cope. Or something has just come and hit you for six. Counselling is a safe place to explore things like that. It’s a place with the potential for personal change. Fortunately, we humans can change our minds. Literally. A fancy word for this is plasticity. Even more, we are designed to change in each other’s company. It’s how humans learn to fit in. So we make a new relationship, you and I, and this is our vehicle for change.
To change an unhelpful pattern of thinking, feeling and behaving, it is often not enough to learn techniques for modifying our behaviour. To achieve lasting change, we need to understand why we internalised certain patterns that may repeatedly lead us into difficult situations - both with our environment, with people we love and, not least, with ourselves. Gaining this understanding requires us to examine our early relationships with significant others and the way we were brought up and learned to react and regulate ourselves.
To change an unhelpful pattern of thinking, feeling and behaving, it is often not enough to learn techniques for modifying our behaviour. To achieve lasting change, we need to understand why we internalised certain patterns that may repeatedly lead us into difficult situations - both with our environment, with people we love and, not least, with ourselves. Gaining this understanding requires us to examine our early relationships with significant others and the way we were brought up and learned to react and regulate ourselves.
I am an experienced integrative counsellor and psychotherapist specifically trained to work with children and young people and a teacher with 20 years' experience in both primary and secondary schools. I am also a family counsellor trained to support families through communication struggles, conflict resolution, parenting issues and emotional well-being.
I am dedicated to supporting children and young people with their emotional well-being and personal growth. As a family counsellor, I can help with relationship struggles, adolescent issues or improving overall family dynamics.
I am an experienced integrative counsellor and psychotherapist specifically trained to work with children and young people and a teacher with 20 years' experience in both primary and secondary schools. I am also a family counsellor trained to support families through communication struggles, conflict resolution, parenting issues and emotional well-being.
I am dedicated to supporting children and young people with their emotional well-being and personal growth. As a family counsellor, I can help with relationship struggles, adolescent issues or improving overall family dynamics.
More Therapists Nearby
Hi I’m Michelle,
Thanks for viewing my profile.
We all need support at different times in our life’s particularly when we experience the storms of life. It will be an honour to work collaboratively with you, whilst you navigate your path. My aim is to help you explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviour creating more understanding of yourself. I will empower you to make the changes you want to make in your life. I use a number of approaches based on your circumstances to give you a personalised service. My practice provides a safe space for you to explore your difficulties, at your pace free from judgement.
Hi I’m Michelle,
Thanks for viewing my profile.
We all need support at different times in our life’s particularly when we experience the storms of life. It will be an honour to work collaboratively with you, whilst you navigate your path. My aim is to help you explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviour creating more understanding of yourself. I will empower you to make the changes you want to make in your life. I use a number of approaches based on your circumstances to give you a personalised service. My practice provides a safe space for you to explore your difficulties, at your pace free from judgement.
You may be feeling stuck in repeating emotional or relational patterns, overwhelmed by stress, or disconnected from yourself. You might be neurodivergent, highly sensitive, or feel that traditional talk therapy hasn’t quite reached what you’re experiencing. Often, people come to therapy with a sense that something deeper needs attention, even if it’s hard to put into words.
You may be feeling stuck in repeating emotional or relational patterns, overwhelmed by stress, or disconnected from yourself. You might be neurodivergent, highly sensitive, or feel that traditional talk therapy hasn’t quite reached what you’re experiencing. Often, people come to therapy with a sense that something deeper needs attention, even if it’s hard to put into words.
If you're navigating stress, anxiety, trauma, or the complexities of special needs, whether for yourself or a loved one, you’re not alone. You may be a parent seeking support for your neurodivergent child, a professional battling burnout, or an individual healing from past trauma. If what you want is clarity, calm, and a sense of control, I can offer you a safe space to be seen, heard, and guided with compassion.
You don't need to face it alone; contact me today: your journey to recovery starts here!
If you're navigating stress, anxiety, trauma, or the complexities of special needs, whether for yourself or a loved one, you’re not alone. You may be a parent seeking support for your neurodivergent child, a professional battling burnout, or an individual healing from past trauma. If what you want is clarity, calm, and a sense of control, I can offer you a safe space to be seen, heard, and guided with compassion.
You don't need to face it alone; contact me today: your journey to recovery starts here!
Before becoming a therapist, I managed a supported living care home and worked as a support worker with both adults and youths with learning disabilities.
I am deeply committed to helping those who have experienced loss, specialising in bereavement and loss counselling. Over the years, I have devoted myself to assisting numerous clients in navigating the complex emotions associated with grief. My extensive experience in bereavement services has equipped me to provide effective support.
Before becoming a therapist, I managed a supported living care home and worked as a support worker with both adults and youths with learning disabilities.
I am deeply committed to helping those who have experienced loss, specialising in bereavement and loss counselling. Over the years, I have devoted myself to assisting numerous clients in navigating the complex emotions associated with grief. My extensive experience in bereavement services has equipped me to provide effective support.
Gemma Fisk
Psychologist, PsychD, HCPC - Clin. Psych.
1 Endorsed
Horsham RH12
Waitlist for new clients
I am a Clinical Psychologist who specialises in supporting children and young people, and their families. I work with a range of presenting issues including anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem and behavioural difficulties.
I am a Clinical Psychologist who specialises in supporting children and young people, and their families. I work with a range of presenting issues including anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem and behavioural difficulties.
The Spectrum Clinic has been established to provide a person-centred approach to assess for Autism and ADHD without compromising on quality and reliability of our assessments. Our patients are at the centre of what we do and every assessment starts with hearing about their journey. We use the gold standard tools for our assessments and follow the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines when offering our services. This means that our assessments are evidence-based and that our clinicians adhere to the highest standards of practice set in the UK.
The Spectrum Clinic has been established to provide a person-centred approach to assess for Autism and ADHD without compromising on quality and reliability of our assessments. Our patients are at the centre of what we do and every assessment starts with hearing about their journey. We use the gold standard tools for our assessments and follow the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines when offering our services. This means that our assessments are evidence-based and that our clinicians adhere to the highest standards of practice set in the UK.
See more therapy options for Twickenham
Nearby Education and Learning Disabilities Counsellors Searches for Twickenham
- Cobham
- Esher
- Hampton
- Kingston upon Thames
- New Malden
- Richmond
- Surbiton
- Sutton
- Teddington
- Walton-on-Thames
- Weybridge
- Worcester Park
Education and Learning Disabilities Counsellors
How effective is treatment for learning disabilities?
When initiated early and tailored to a child’s specific needs, learning disability treatment can be quite effective at helping a child cope with their disability, though its exact efficacy may depend on the severity of symptoms and whether comorbid disorders exist. Less is known about treatment initiated in adulthood, but it is certainly possible that an adult with a learning disability will see some improvement—or at the very least, identify workarounds and accommodations that could make symptoms less burdensome in day-to-day life.
When should someone seek treatment for learning disabilities?
It’s best to seek treatment as early as possible. Because learning disabilities often go unnoticed until a child starts school, or even until they’re a few years along, regular check-ins with teachers and doctors can help parents determine whether children are meeting milestones and keeping up with peers or whether an evaluation for learning disabilities may be warranted. And although earlier is always better, it’s never too late to be evaluated for learning disabilities and to seek treatment.
What happens if learning disabilities are left untreated?
Undiagnosed and untreated learning disabilities can be a source of significant frustration and shame for a child, who may feel that their challenges stem from a lack of intelligence or willpower. Such feelings can trigger low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety, which may push a child toward risky behaviors, including substance use. In adulthood, untreated learning disabilities can interfere with career success, and lingering feelings of self-doubt and shame can negatively affect someone’s mental health.
Are there medications for learning disabilities?
Currently, there are no medications designed to treat specific learning disabilities such as dysgraphia or dyscalculia. However, someone with a learning disability may be prescribed medication for a comorbid condition, such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD, which may have positive downstream effects on their learning disability; for example, a child with both ADHD and dyslexia may find that they’re better able to focus on their reading exercises after being prescribed a stimulant medication.