Away from my business as a therapist at Calm Minds in Bramhall, I am also the father of three children one of whom is on the Autistic Spectrum (AS). He is now eleven and will be going to High School in September, an anxious time for most parents, but particularly for parents of children with special needs including autism. Recent research suggests that they are twenty times more likely to be bullied, quite a horrendous thought!

My recently completed Masters Degree at Manchester University was in counselling and my question and research was around the experiences of fathers of autistic children and how they cope.

I have been practicing counselling for a number of years now and help people in all areas of life with many human issues such as stress, depression, phobias and anxiety. Recently I have been helping a number of people on the AS (notice I don’t include ‘disorder’ as it puts a negative label on people). I am a counsellor recommended by the National Autistic Society.

I help parents and their children, the initial chat usually involves the family and then I work with the individual. The children and teenagers that I have helped recently with counselling tend to come from all over Cheshire and the North West, from the age of around ten or eleven, and are usually at the higher functioning end of the spectrum including Aspergers. Anxiety around social situations is a common theme, and building up a trusting non judgemental relationship is usually the underlying base to build upon. I also help with relaxation methods and other thought and behaviour work.

I have had the experience of having a son with autism (probably why I became a therapist in the first place) and my research and work with others either those with AS or those whose life is impacted by AS, maybe will allow me to make your life a little easier? I don’t have all the answers, but if you are struggling with autism in the family and want some counselling or just a chat about how I can help, please contact me.

My standard charge is £50 per hour, £40 for children (as I find that 30 or 40 minutes is the optimum period for the younger person) and I will always discuss lower fees if you are struggling financially.