Teenagers can be especially vulnerable at this stage of life as the demands on them increase and the support systems diminish or disappear completely. We often hear from parents who are desperately worried about their autistic teenagers as they transition into adulthood.
Young people who may have managed to keep going—or even excel—within the primary and secondary education system can start to find themselves overwhelmed by the pressure of exams, assignments, deadlines, and the expectations from those around them that they will go on to study at university, potentially living away from home for the first time in their lives.
And they’re not the only ones who are dealing with those fears.Â
As their parent, you know that you’re responsible for them, for their success. And there can be so much to worry about.
Are you worried they’ll …
- Have to withdraw from studies?
- Struggle with their mental health, eventually reaching crisis?
- Be unable to finish their degree?
- Get to the “real world” only to discover they’re just not equipped to thrive there?
If so, you need to know how you can stop things from getting worse and you need to know there’s a way through this for your young person, for you and for your whole family. I can help.
I offer a variety of services for families and individuals to navigate this time.
Group support for parents of autistic teens as they navigate the transition to adulthood
The Navigation Framework is a practical, psychology-based approach we’ve developed that equips parents of autistic teens and young adults to navigate the transition to adulthood. Whether it’s through an eight-week intensive training or something more long-term (like our membership community, The Haven), parents can learn how to use The Navigation Framework to help their young person build an authentic and sustainable life that gives the whole family hope for the future.
It’s a slightly different approach to what you’ll see elsewhere, because I believe that while professionals have their place, the recovery and growth autistic youngsters can achieve depends a great deal on the emotional environment in the family. Learning how to apply The Navigation Framework enables parents to build an environment that’s skilfully and sensitively attuned to their young person’s needs.
Talk therapy
Talk therapy is an option I offer for autistic adults and older teens who need support and who can benefit from talking therapy in an online environment. Most of my autistic clients want help with recovering from the impact of trauma and burnout, so that they can find a more comfortable relationship with themselves and their loved ones and make choices that work for them.Â
I welcome those who want to explore aspects of their identity such as neurodivergence, gender, sexuality, race, culture, faith. Gender identity and its intersection with neurodivergence is an area of special interest for us as a parent/child team. I routinely work with gender diverse young people, and Alexis (who identifes as trans/non-binary) and I offer joint consultations for parents and young people wanting to talk about their own experiences of this.
When I work therapeutically with young people, I always meet their parents for separate coaching and support sessions to ensure that everyone involved with the young person is following the same approach.
Consultation fees
Therapy - individuals and family support
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- An hour’s consultation costs ÂŁ115 if you are a financially independent adult paying for your own sessions.
- When I work therapeutically with young people, I also meet with their parents for separate coaching and support sessions to ensure that everyone involved with the young person is following the same approach. Sessions with any family member cost ÂŁ120.
If third parties other than immediate family are involved with funding the sessions, the fee will be higher and will be determined on a case by case basis. Third parties may, for example, be insurance or rehabilitation companies, Employee Assistance Programme providers, training organisations, employers, statutory or legal bodies and, in some cases, a person’s friend.
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Coaching and support for parents
Coaching for parents is often helpful where a young person is not currently accessing therapy or their existing therapist does not offer comprehensive support for parents. Our coaching packages are suitable for parents with young people of secondary school age and beyond:Â
- Help, I don’t know what to do! Our initial ‘First Aid’ block of four sessions will help you tackle the immediate issues and identify changes that may be needed to foster good outcomes for everyone in the long term. This package costs ÂŁ547 and is payable in advance. (Talk to us if you’d like details about paying in two instalments).Â
- Follow-on block of two sessions: ÂŁ247 payable in advance.
- Top-up single sessions (following a minimum of eight coaching sessions): ÂŁ125
- Unlimited number of 15 minute coaching sessions for 12 months: ÂŁ797. This package is not available very often and is by application only. Please ask for details using our contact form if you’re interested.
One-off consultations are sometimes available for parents who haven’t previously worked with us. These cost ÂŁ180 for an hour or ÂŁ270 for 90 minutes. However, we strongly recommend the coaching packages if you want to start making a lasting difference to your young person and your family.
Payment for all standalone therapy and coaching sessions, including the first one, must be made at the time of booking by electronic funds transfer or by debit/credit card over the telephone. Please note payment for the first session is non-refundable. For clients outside the UK it may be possible to pay using Stripe (this will incur an additional administrative charge).
Cancellation Policy
We appreciate that most clients who cancel at short notice do so due to circumstances beyond their control and we have every sympathy when these events occur. However, it is highly unlikely that we will be able to book another client into the unused space.
In order to ensure that we can continue to offer a service we charge the full fee for all sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours notice or missed without any notice.
If your sessions are funded by a third party, any cancellations with less than 48 hours notice may reduce the overall number of sessions that have been authorised. If you do not wish to forfeit a cancelled session you may choose to pay the fee yourself and retain your session.
Individual coaching
Individual coaching is available for parents to help with any immediate issues and provide guidance for the future so you’re better prepared and able to look ahead with hope. This can be helpful whether your young person’s diagnosis is recent, yet to be confirmed, or even if you’ve known for what feels like forever. Coaching can be especially helpful where a young person is not currently accessing therapy or their existing therapist does not offer comprehensive support for parents. Our coaching packages are suitable for parents with young people of secondary school age and beyond. Open the Consultation fees section above to see the full details.Â
Helping autistic teens transition to adulthood
Helping autistic teens transition to adulthood — The essential guide for parents is an 8-10 week intensive training course based on The Navigation Framework, our practical psychology-based approach that equips parents of autistic teens and young adults to navigate the transition to adulthood, skilfully supporting their young person to build an authentic and sustainable life for themselves. If you’d like to go on the waiting list for the next course, let us know by clicking the button just below.
Group support
Group support is available through The Haven, a safe and supportive online community that helps parents, families, and young autistic individuals navigate the transition into adulthood. Membership of The Haven is open to parents who work with us on a regular basis.