ADHD & Autism Counselling in Manchester and Online Across the UK
Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy for Autistic, ADHD and AuDHD Adults
I'm Stuart Walker, an integrative counsellor, psychotherapist and male therapist based in Manchester, providing neurodiversity-affirming therapy both in person and online across the UK.
I work alongside autistic adults, people with ADHD, AuDHD and those exploring whether neurodivergence might help explain experiences they've carried for years.
Whether you've recently received a diagnosis, are questioning whether you might be neurodivergent, or simply want to understand yourself with greater compassion, therapy offers a space where you don't need to pretend to be someone else.
A Gentle Invitation
Looking for an ADHD or Autism Therapist?
Many people arrive here because they're searching for an ADHD therapist, autism counsellor or neurodiversity-affirming therapist.
The labels matter less than the conversation.
Whether you're autistic, have ADHD, identify as AuDHD, or are still exploring what fits your experience, my approach is the same.
Therapy isn't about changing who you are.
It's about understanding how your mind works and building a life that works with you rather than against you.
You do not need a diagnosis to begin this work.
Some people come with a formal diagnosis. Others are exploring whether ADHD, autism or another form of neurodivergence might help explain experiences they've had for years.
If something on this page feels familiar, you're very welcome to get in touch.
We can take things slowly and work out together what feels helpful.
What happens in the first session?
Before starting therapy, I offer a free 30-minute introductory conversation. It's an opportunity for us to meet, talk about what's brought you here, answer any questions you may have and decide whether working together feels like the right fit. There's no pressure or obligation to continue afterwards.
New to counselling?
If you're wondering what happens when you first get in touch, what the first session is like, or whether counselling feels right for you, you might find this page helpful.
→ Thinking About Counselling? Start Here
Want to know more about me?
If you'd like to know more about my journey into counselling, my approach and the story behind Me In Time:
A Different Way of Working
Find out more about how I approach therapy and why therapy doesn't have to begin with having all the answers.
Perhaps Some of This Feels Familiar...
You've spent years wondering why certain things seem harder for you than they do for other people.
You replay conversations long after they've ended.
You appear to be coping on the outside while feeling exhausted underneath.
You've spent a lifetime masking, adapting or trying to fit in without really understanding why.
A diagnosis answered some questions but raised others.
You find yourself grieving years spent blaming yourself for things that now make more sense.
You've become so used to accommodating other people that you've lost sight of what actually works for you.
You don't want to become a different person.
You want to understand yourself better.
And perhaps be a little kinder to yourself than you've been in the past.
What Do I Mean by Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity recognises that human minds work in many different ways. There is no single "right" way to think, communicate, process information or experience the world.
People who are autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, dyspraxic or otherwise neurodivergent often experience differences in attention, sensory processing, emotional intensity, communication and energy.
Those differences are not faults.
The difficulties often arise because many environments, workplaces and relationships have been designed around neurotypical expectations.
My Approach
My approach is neurodiversity affirming.
That means I don't see neurodivergence as something to fix.
I won't try to make you appear more "normal" or easier for other people to understand.
Instead, therapy is about understanding how your mind works, reducing unnecessary strain, and helping you build a life that feels more sustainable and more authentically yours.
We might explore:
masking and the cost of constantly adapting
executive functioning and everyday organisation
burnout, shutdown and overwhelm
identity and self-understanding
relationships, boundaries and communication
grief for the parts of yourself that were misunderstood or unsupported
creating a life that fits you rather than one you've spent years trying to fit into
Everything happens collaboratively and at a pace that feels right for you.
ADHD, Autism & Men's Mental Health
Many neurodivergent men spend years believing they're simply failing at things other people seem to manage with ease.
For some, receiving a diagnosis brings enormous relief.
For others, it also brings grief.
Grief for opportunities missed.
Relationships that became difficult to understand.
Years spent believing they were lazy, disorganised or somehow "too much."
It can feel as though your whole life suddenly makes sense, while at the same time leaving you wondering what might have been different if you'd known sooner.
Therapy provides space for both experiences.
Relief and grief can exist together.
For some people, understanding themselves through a neurodivergent lens brings a profound sense of self-compassion. Behaviours that once felt like personal failings begin to make more sense. Therapy can provide space to explore that shift without rushing towards conclusions or expecting everything to suddenly feel resolved.
Neurodivergence and Fatherhood
Many neurodivergent fathers quietly worry they're getting it wrong.
Not because they don't care.
Often because they care deeply.
You might love your children and still find family life overwhelming.
You might struggle with constant interruptions, sensory overload, changing routines or the pressure of trying to meet everybody else's needs before your own.
Therapy isn't about becoming a perfect father.
Or a different father.
It's about understanding yourself more clearly and finding ways of parenting that feel more sustainable, more compassionate and more authentic.
You might find it helpful to explore my articles on neurodivergence, masking, burnout, identity and self-understanding. They reflect many of the conversations that emerge in therapy.
→ Explore Neurodiversity Articles
Prefer Online Therapy?
Many neurodivergent adults choose online counselling because it allows them to speak from a familiar environment where they feel more comfortable and less overwhelmed.
Whether you're looking for support with ADHD, autism, AuDHD, masking or burnout, online therapy offers the same thoughtful, collaborative approach as meeting in person.
→ Find Out More About Online Counselling Across the UK
Practical Information
Sessions are available online across the UK and in person in Manchester, allowing you to choose the approach that feels most comfortable and accessible for you.
Sessions last 50 minutes and are available online across the UK or in person in Manchester.
Counselling sessions are £60, with a small number of reduced-cost places available for people experiencing financial difficulty.
Before beginning therapy, I usually offer a free 30–45 minute introductory conversation, giving us the opportunity to get to know one another and decide whether working together feels like the right fit.
→ Fees & Practical Information
Common Reasons People Contact Me
People arrive with many different experiences, but these are some of the most common reasons people seek ADHD counselling, autism therapy and neurodiversity-affirming support.
Adult ADHD assessment recently completed
Newly diagnosed autistic adult
AuDHD
ADHD burnout
Executive functioning difficulties
Workplace stress and overwhelm
Masking and autistic burnout
Sensory overload
Relationship difficulties
Parenting and family life
Identity and self-understanding
Late diagnosis
You May Also Be Looking For
Neurodivergence often overlaps with other areas of life. Many people I work with are also navigating men's mental health, fatherhood or grief.
Looking for more answers?
If you have questions about confidentiality, cancellations, payment, online therapy or what to expect, you may find these pages helpful.
→ Fees & Practical Information
Frequently Asked Questions About ADHD, Autism & Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy
Do I need an ADHD or autism diagnosis before starting therapy?
No. Many people contact me because they're beginning to wonder whether ADHD, autism or another form of neurodivergence might explain experiences they've had throughout their lives. Therapy can provide a safe space to explore those experiences, whether you have a formal diagnosis, are waiting for an assessment or are simply curious about understanding yourself better.
Do you work with autistic adults?
Yes. I work with autistic adults both in person in Manchester and online across the UK. My approach is neurodiversity affirming, meaning therapy focuses on understanding your experience rather than trying to change who you are.
Do you work with adults with ADHD?
Yes. Many of the people I work with have ADHD or are exploring whether they may have ADHD. Together we can explore the impact it has on work, relationships, emotional wellbeing, self-esteem, executive functioning, burnout and everyday life.
What is neurodiversity-affirming therapy?
Neurodiversity-affirming therapy recognises that brains work in different ways. Rather than viewing ADHD, autism or other forms of neurodivergence as something that needs to be fixed, therapy focuses on understanding how your mind works, reducing unnecessary stress and building a life that works for you.
I think I might be autistic or have ADHD. Is it okay to come before I'm assessed?
Absolutely. Many people begin therapy long before seeking a formal assessment. Therapy can help you explore your experiences, understand yourself more compassionately and think through what, if any, next steps feel right for you.
Can therapy help with masking and autistic burnout?
Yes. Many neurodivergent adults describe feeling exhausted after years of masking or adapting to fit other people's expectations. Therapy can help you understand the impact this has had on your wellbeing, relationships and sense of identity, while exploring ways of living more authentically.
Do you work with neurodivergent men and fathers?
Yes. Much of my work focuses on supporting neurodivergent men and fathers. Together we may explore the pressures of work, relationships, parenting, emotional wellbeing and the experience of discovering or understanding your neurodivergence later in life.
Is online therapy suitable for autistic or ADHD adults?
For many people it is. Online therapy allows you to attend sessions from a familiar environment, removing travel and helping reduce unnecessary stress. Many clients find they feel more comfortable talking from home.
Can therapy help after a late ADHD or autism diagnosis?
Yes. A diagnosis often brings relief, but it can also bring grief, confusion or questions about the past. Therapy offers space to process those experiences, understand yourself differently and think about what comes next.
Can counselling help while I'm waiting for an ADHD or autism assessment?
Yes. Many people begin therapy while waiting for an NHS or private assessment. Therapy can help you understand your experiences, develop self-compassion and explore practical ways of managing everyday life while you wait.
Do you support adults with AuDHD?
Yes. Many adults identify with both autistic and ADHD traits, often referred to as AuDHD. Therapy provides space to understand how these experiences interact, explore identity, reduce self-criticism and develop approaches that work with your strengths rather than against them.
Ready When You Are
Whether you're exploring a diagnosis, adjusting to a recent diagnosis, or simply trying to understand yourself more compassionately, you're very welcome to get in touch.
There is no pressure to have everything worked out before making contact.
Sometimes therapy begins with curiosity rather than certainty.