Creating Safe Spaces: A Counsellor’s Perspective on Lived Experience and Inclusive Support

“Not all spaces feel safe — mine is built to be.”

When I was younger and navigating my own mental health journey, I often felt like I didn’t quite fit into the support systems around me. The services felt clinical, impersonal, and at times, not attuned to the unique experiences of neurodivergent individuals or young people exploring their identities. This lived experience became the foundation of my counselling practice today.

A Practice Informed by Lived Experience
My counselling practice - Firelink Counselling was born out of a deep understanding of what it’s like to feel unseen or misunderstood. As a neurodivergent male who identifies within the LGBTQIA+ community, I bring more than just training and clinical knowledge to the work I do. I bring empathy, insight, and a commitment to creating the kind of space I wish had existed for me.

Why Representation Matters in Counselling
It can be incredibly powerful to sit across from someone who gets it—someone who understands what it's like to mask, to question identity, or to feel different. Male counsellors with lived experience in these areas are still underrepresented in the mental health field. I strive to offer a practice that is warm, affirming, and grounded in acceptance and authenticity.

My Approach: Neurodiversity-Affirming, LGBTQIA+ Inclusive, and Trauma-Informed
My practice is centred on being:

• Neurodiversity-affirming: I don’t see ADHD or Autism as deficits, but as different ways of experiencing the world. I work with clients to embrace their strengths and find strategies that align with their needs.

• LGBTQIA+ inclusive: Identity exploration deserves care and safety. I support clients through gender, sexuality, and relationship diversity without judgment or expectation.

• Trauma-informed: I understand that many of us carry histories of invalidation or harm. I aim to meet each client with compassion, transparency, and respect for their boundaries.

Creating the Space I Needed
Whether it’s working with teens facing school pressure, adults dealing with burnout, or anyone navigating anxiety, identity, or relationship challenges—I hold space for honest conversations, healing, and growth. This practice is intentionally designed to be calm, welcoming, and flexible, honouring each person’s individuality.

A Place Where You Can Be You
I built this practice from the ground up for people like me—people who didn’t always feel like they had a place in traditional systems. If you're looking for a counsellor who sees you as a whole person, respects your lived experience, and walks alongside you with care and understanding, know that this space was created with you in mind.