Living and Working with Neurodivergence: Mental Health & Wellbeing 2025 Conference

Dr Emma Bede is a Clinical Psychologist with over twenty years of experience working with neurodivergent adults and children in clinical, diagnostic and academic contexts. She works therapeutically with adults of all ages, genders and neurotypes, as well as carrying out formal diagnostic assessments for autism and ADHD, and providing supervision to other therapists. She has been practising mindfulness for twenty years, and uses it as part of her therapeutic work.

Dr Marc Boaz is an existential psychotherapist, a visiting Professor of Mental Health and Psychotherapy at the University of Northampton, UK, and teaches Critical Psychopathology at the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling (NSPC), UK. He is an author of works on interpersonal trauma, childhood adversity and neurodivergence.

Dr. Francesca Bernardi PhD is an advocate, author, coach, and artist, with expertise in MA supervision, dis/ability and community engagement. Francesca has an extensive background as a teacher and artist-in-residence, working with children and adults in various settings, including schools, alternative provision, further and higher education, corporate settings, museums, and public spaces (Tate Museums and the RSA.org). She’s dedicated to working with parents and caregivers of children and young people with dis/abilities who have experienced school exclusions and other forms of social discrimination.

Francesca engages in multi-disciplinary and arts-informed practices with marginalized communities, and individuals experiencing loss and homelessness. Her approach is non-hierarchical, socially just, and creative, aiming to nourish healing and personal agency while honouring the wholeness of individuals’ personhood, choices, and capabilities.

Francesca has published her work on autism, arts-informed methodologies, childhood, and children’s rights in books and journals (Bloomsbury, Routledge, Taylor and Francis). She is the founding chair of the Antonio Gramsci Society UK, board member of the Disability Without Abuse Project (2020-), and an Associate Member of CATA/ACAT (the Canadian Art Therapy Association 2021-).

Errin is the Founder of PhilanthroPeak Coaching, an ADHD Business & Leadership Coach, and someone who knows firsthand how procrastination can mess with your momentum. Based in Scotland, He works with neurodivergent professionals, coaches, and therapists worldwide, helping them navigate executive function challenges, productivity struggles, and leadership roadblocks in ways that actually work for their brains.

Errin combines Core Renewal Therapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and holistic coaching with own lived experience to help neurodivergent leaders break free from procrastination, make decisions faster, and create sustainable strategies for getting things done without burnout. If traditional productivity advice worked, we wouldn’t be here—so let’s talk about what actually does.

Jemma Wilkinson is a UK-based Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor, and Trainer with over six years of experience across the NHS, private practice, and specialist services on Harley Street. As the founder of Jemma Wilkinson Therapy she’s passionate about creating safe, empowering spaces for both clients and fellow practitioners.

Jemma brings a down-to-earth, relational approach to complex issues—from trauma and self-harm to Neurodivergence and psychosis—and is a sought-after facilitator for workshops that are as grounded as they are genuinely transformative. When she’s not holding space for others, she’s likely plotting the next bit of psychoeducation magic… with a cuppa in hand.

Karin Brauner is a twice published author, a bilingual coach/counsellor/psychotherapist, as well as a supervisor in private practice. She trained in Guatemala and in Brighton, England. Karin has always been interested in many areas, which focus on her training as a therapist, but also her passion for writing and IT. These have led her to have a variety of services and product offerings, which she keeps adding to. These include social media marketing and content creation, as well as website support, tutoring, academic support, and other areas.

Karin is passionate about everything she does, and she enjoys seeing her colleagues and clients thrive in their work and lives. This is why she’s offering these workshops (and other courses to come in the near future). She enjoys supporting people be the best they can be, meeting them right where they are, and together figuring out what the best way forward is.

Marketing on social media became a focus of Karin’s back in 2017, when she started blogging. This propelled her practice into moving from 2-4 clients, to a full client list, followed by supervisees and now coaching clients as well. This means she can now offer the learning she’s done in the past few years, to practitioners starting their practices or thinking of growing their practices but needing the practical support to do so.

That’s what Karin offers – practical support to get you on the right track to building a successful business (whatever that means to each one of us individually).

Kate Salinsky currently a trainer with the National Autism Trainer Programme (NHS/Anna Freud Centre/AT-Autism). She also supports neuro-divergent students 1-1 in higher education as a study skills tutor and mentor, and adults as a mentor / coach through Access to Work. Kate is parent to a two children one of whom is autistic and has a PDA profile. She has an MA in Autism and completed her research dissertation on the Lived Experience of Parents of PDA children. Previously, Kate worked as a training manager and counsellor in the voluntary sector for over 20 years, managing a team of trainers to design and deliver accredited training to people working in substance misuse, counselling and mediation.

Hello, I am Kathleen Coleman-Cooke, known to most as Kathy I am an accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Qualified to work with children, adolescents, and adults. Currently studying a Post Graduate Certificate in Neurodiversity. My counselling experience includes working with a charitable organisation that provides generic counselling to the community, as well as in my small private practice and Primary and Secondary schools. Currently, I am on the BACP School and College Expert Reference group. I work face-to-face and online, providing short, to long-term work, according to what is right for each individual I see. Over time I have gained invaluable experience working with all age groups, going through trauma, abuse and other debilitating difficulties and challenges.

Through this I have learned that although as human beings we often come across similar struggles and challenges, we are all individuals and experience life through our own unique filter. I work predominantly in a ‘person-centred way ‘which for me means that I take each person as an individual, carrying no judgement and offering unconditional positive regard.

Through my practice, I have come across many people of all ages with a specific Neurodiverse diagnosis and others who show varying neurodiverse traits, and although I have not been assessed, I have known for many years that I am dyslexic.

Linsey Bailey-Rowles (She/Her) is an AuDHD, queer, dynamically disabled Therapist, Supervisor, EMDR Practitioner, Counselling Tutor, and Trainer.

She brings experience from both private practice and the voluntary sector, working with adults and young people across a broad spectrum of needs. Her therapeutic practice is rooted in Compassion-Focused, Trauma & Trauma-Informed approaches, with a strong focus on supporting Neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those living with hidden / dynamic disabilities and chronic illness. Linsey is passionate about equality, equity, and social justice within and beyond the counselling community.

She regularly facilitates continuing professional development opportunities across the helping professions, championing inclusive, intersectional, and affirming practice.

At the time of this presentation, Matt Bolton will have a master’s degree in clinical social work from Saint Leo University in Florida. Person-centered, neuroaffirming, and culturally sensitive but, perhaps most of all curious about and appreciative of others’ experiences, he enjoys therapeutic work with a wide array of persons who go through varied life problems. Matt incorporates a systemic perspective to deconstruct and examine social power structures. This empowers his consideration of the intricate, intersectional functioning and relating of the person in their environment.

He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology and is an adjunct instructor of psychology and first-year experience courses at Saint Leo.

Matt enthusiastically engages in cross-discipline research and writes on matters of learning, life, neurodivergence, and person-centeredness. He facilitates a weekly, encounter-format peer support group for neurodivergent therapists and counselors.

Sarah is the founder of The Weller Way, a family relationship coaching practice which specialises in supporting families with neuro divergent children.

The Weller Way delivers coaching throughout the UK, face to face and online, on a one to one basis, as well as Group workshops and Talks for Corporate Wellbeing programmes and Schools.

Sarah has many years of experience and training for her roles in supporting young people and families in the Mental Health and Homelessness sectors prior to founding The Weller Way, and is familiar with working alongside Social Services, Schools, CAMHS, community mental health teams and specialist providers.

I am a BACP Accredited Integrative Counsellor & Supervisor with over 19 years extensive experience in working with Adults, Students & Young People in private practice, secondary schools & the voluntary sector. I qualified as a counsellor in 2006 from York St John University with the Graduate Diploma and since qualifying I have completed many hours of additional training and CPD. I am currently engaged in a variety of CPD around neurodivergence so as to best serve this community within my practice. I am also the founder of a Peer Supervision Group for counsellors working in schools in my area with the aim of promoting good practice. Prior to qualifying as a counsellor, I worked for the local authority in various roles working with young people. These included working with LAC, running alternative education provision, and working with young people with SEN.

As a private practioner of many years, I have had the privilge of working and supporting the neurodiverse community, mainly autism, aspergers and dyslexia. My clients range from indivduals, couples and young people, I am PCT trained however I have used various modalities and creative ways within my clinical practice to meet the client’s needs when required.

I have been assessed over the years for an intellectual learning disability, called Dyslexia. My personal experience of being dyslexic has been very mixed over the years, however I find that as a visual learner I can incorporate my expereince of dyslexia into my clinical pratice.

Doodling is part of my self care routine and I believe that anyone can doodle. So please grab some paper a pencil and come along and have some downtime. I’m telling you this workshop is the quietest, most calming one you might attend, plus you get to have some fun with others.

Tris is an NCPS senior accredited psychotherapist, a Pink Therapy advanced accredited GSRD Therapist, and a Pink Therapy endorsed GSRD aware trainer. They have lived experience as a queer, late diagnosed AuDHD, non-binary person whose pronouns are they/them. Tris has a private practice, Starlight Therapy, where they see clients from GSRD, Disabled and Neurodivergent communities. They are also a public speaker and deliver bespoke training and consultancy Packages.

Tris also works part-time for a university student counselling service with a special interest in working with clients at the intersection of GSRD and Neurodivergence. Within the university, they run therapeutic groups for Trans, Non-Binary, Gender non-conforming and questioning students.

They are also a neurodivergent specialist counsellor and have been working with the service to make it more accessible for neurodivergent students.

Winniey E. Maduro, PhD is a research psychologist and lecturer in the neurobiology of the psychosocial. Her research focuses on Neuropsychosocial adaptations to adverse lived experiences and posttraumatic growth across generations.

A creative counsellor with a late diagnosis of Dyslexia, ADHD, and Dyspraxia, I assist individuals, families and teens with ADHD in developing self-advocacy and emotional regulation skills using my Polyvagal Teen® resources and programs.

With the exponential increase in ADHD diagnosis I often ponder, – is society’s neoliberalism capitalistic expectations a contributor to this “disorder”? I dont have the answers but through these conversations I have created space for discussions. My diagnosis has given me the confidence to speak out against societal norms that do not cater to my brain’s functionality and embrace my creativity.

Through my lived experience, especially with education and research on trauma’s impact on gene expression and epigenetics, I will share with you why I believe my childhood and intergenerational trauma has contributed to my differences, and how my labels validate my experience.