Therapy for British residents, and British expats around the world
I work one-to-one with teens and adults, specialising in ADHD and autism, mixed culture life; or difficulties arising from gender, sexual or relationship diversity
I will give you a safe and confidential space to explore your difficulties, at your own pace, in your own time
Support around ADHD & autism, mixed culture life, or gender, sexual & relationship diversity
Online counselling is a way for you to get support without the demands or stress of travel, and can be particularly helpful to those who experience sensory overload or have a demanding personal schedule.
I also offer support sessions to parents and educators, to help you create a calmer and more supportive environment for your neurodivergent children and students, and to reduce demands and overload on you.
I have full training and extensive experience in video, audio, and SMS therapy, as well as email.
About me
Nina Shah Gestalt Counsellor Dip. MBACP (Accred.), Reiki Master Level 3
I am a British therapist living in Stockholm, and I continue to work remotely with clients in the UK, and English-speaking clients around the world, both as a therapist and supervisor.
I specialise in issues relating to feeling different for whatever reason, including mixed culture life, neurodivergence (ADHD, autism etc), and gender, sexual and relationship diversity.
I am a UK-accredited Gestalt therapist with 30 years of experience in the fields of mental health and psychology.
Follow me on Instagram
Forgot to turn the sodding heater on in my cabin! Brrr!
Thankfully only a half hour session, have slippers and hot tea, and a blanket, and warming up quickly...but...that was a shock!!
#mistakes #therapistissues #cold #subzero #adhd #adhdmemory #adhdstrategies #adhdreminders #adhdfail
Living with more than one form of difference* is often something we feel long before we have words for it.
People with mixed cultural backgrounds, neurodivergent traits, giftedness, or differences in gender, sexuality, or relational style often experience a sense of being “out of sync” with the world – without quite knowing why. We might wonder: is it culture, family expectations, social rules, or the way my brain works? And often, it’s all at once.
Just as AuDHD isn’t simply autism + ADHD, intersecting differences don’t just add together, they interact. This creates a layered inner experience that can be hard to make sense of, particularly in systems that prefer clear categories and simple explanations, like schools or social settings and clubs.
Day-to-day, this can results in constant adjusting to fit, or translating our realities between culture, communication style, and internal world. Much of this effort is invisible, yet it takes a real toll. Over time, masking or suppressing needs can lead to exhaustion/burnout, self-doubt, shame, or a fractured sense of identity.
In therapy, the work often begins by slowing down and allowing complexity to exist. Counselling can offer space to explore different parts of identity side-by-side, without forcing one aspect to explain everything. This can support a shift from “something is wrong with me” to “there are many reasons I experience life this way.”
With both lived and professional experience, I offer a therapeutic space where masking isn’t required, and identity can be explored as dynamic and embodied, supporting self-trust, self-compassion, and a sense of belonging.
I offer therapy and professional supervision. If you’re curious about working together, feel free to message me for a free initial chat.
#Neurodiversity #Intersectionality #MixedIdentity #GestaltTherapy #Counselling #Neurodivergent #ADHD #Autism #Giftedness #IdentityWork #TherapySpace #Belonging
*Difference as defined by the culture we live in
So many ADHDers grew up being told our brains were broken or dysfunctional, but this article flips that tired narrative on its head.
The truth? ADHD brains excel in so many areas - hyperfocus, humour, creativity, intuition - and when we find work (and lives) that actually use these strengths, stress drops, and satisfaction and happiness go way up. Funny that! 😉
The real struggle isn’t our brains - it’s trying to force a square (ADHD) peg into a round (non-ADHD) hole. And honestly, that would hurt any peg.
If you’ve ever felt too much or not enough, this is a good read:
https://thediagnosis.substack.com/p/a-generation-got-told-their-brains
#ADHD #ADHDBrain #Neurodivergent #Neurodiversity #ADHDAwareness #DifferentNotBroken #ADHDStrengths #ADHDCreativity #Hyperfocus #ActuallyAutistic #WorkWithYourBrain #MentalHealth #Unmasking #LateDiagnosis #ADHDLife #Neuroaffirming
It is with some anxiety and trepidation that I share this video. I have waited over a week and I was waiting until I got the paperwork, but I realise that waiting takes more energy from me than doing, even premature, not quite ready, doing. Some detail in here may not be wholly accurate as I was quite overwhelmed when making the video, but the gist is absolutely correct.
The subject - I finally got my ADHD diagnosis. The process was thorough and exhausting, but I couldn`t have asked for more competent or kinder assessors.
#adhd #neurodivergent #adhdassessment #2e #twiceexceptional
Anyone seen the `updated` version of Barbie. We love this one in our home – far more matching to our own reality.
#autistic #audhd #stuffies #plushies #autisticbarbie #barbie #asd #neurodivergent
What do we think about Autistic Barbie? 💭
Mattel has introduced Autistic Barbie as part of the Barbie Fashionistas range, developed in collaboration with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) — an organisation led by and for autistic people. That collaboration matters.
Reactions have been mixed. Some are concerned about stereotyping, while others are genuinely happy to see autism represented in such a mainstream, global brand.
No single doll could ever represent the full autism spectrum - and that’s okay. Personally, I see this as a positive step forward. Visibility starts conversations, and conversations build understanding.
Some of the thoughtful design features include (list below taken from ASAN/Barbie FB post):
👋 Articulated elbows and wrists to support stimming
👁️ A shifted gaze, reflecting reduced eye contact for some
✨ A fidget spinner for sensory regulation
🎧 Noise-cancelling headphones to reduce overload
🖊️ An AAC communication tablet
💜 Sensory-sensitive clothing for comfort
It won’t resonate with everyone - autism is not one-size-fits-all - but for many, seeing these needs acknowledged is meaningful.
What’s your take? 💬
#AutisticBarbie #Neurodiversity #AutismRepresentation #ActuallyAutistic #InclusionMatters #RepresentationMatters #AutismAwareness #Neurodivergent #DifferentNotLess
Happy New Year everyone, clients, peers and friends. I hope that 2026 brings you closer to the life you want and deserve. ✨☀️
Back to work and digging myself a path to the office! ❄️🌨️
Very tongue-in-cheek… and yet 👀
On a more serious note, breaks can be a great opportunity to get intentional. A little advance thought can go a long way:
✨ What do you actually need from this time?
💕 Who do you genuinely want to spend it with?
🎄 Which routines support you, and which ones might be ready for a shake-up?
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas break, and a fulfilling, enjoyable, love-filled 2026.
#IntentionalLiving #MentalHealth #Boundaries #SelfAwareness #HolidayReflections #Wellbeing #PersonalGrowth #ChristmasBreak #NewYearAhead
(Not sure who to credit with the photo, as I cannot for the life of me remember when or where I saw it - if it is yours, please let me know - image shows a card that says "I hope all the quality time with family doesn`t ruin all the work you did in therapy.")
