Neurodivergent-affirming services & support from a neurodivergent therapist

Kia ora and welcome!

I’m Abi Raymond (she/her), and I provide neurodivergent-affirming services across Australasia, supporting professionals, individuals, parents and organisations.

My services include clinical supervision, professional training, parent support, and neurodivergent adult counselling.

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It’s time to embrace neuro-affirming practices across health, education, and parenting.

 

Neurodiversity isn’t a trend or a buzzword—it’s a profound truth.

Like biodiversity, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality, neurodiversity is a natural and beautiful part of humanity.

Neurodivergent individuals are essential contributors to the richness of human diversity.

This understanding forms the foundation of the neurodiversity paradigm and neuro-affirming practices.

The neurodiversity paradigm recognises the challenges neurodivergent people face in a world designed for neurotypical individuals.

 Neuro-affirming practice rejects approaches that try to “fix” neurodivergent folk or attempt to reinforce neurotypical ways of being.

Instead focusing on understanding neurodivergent needs and adapting systems and environments to be truly inclusive.

Reducing distress, offering accommodations, empowering self-advocacy, and embracing authentic neurodivergent identities.

As a neurodivergent queer counsellor, arts therapist, and parent, I am committed to providing inclusive, affirming support for neurodivergent and queer folk.

My work is guided by an intersectional and decolonised lens aiming to empower and inspire positive systemic change.

Neurodivergent-Affirming Services

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Supervision for
Professionals 

Online neurodivergent-affirming supervision for counsellors, art therapists, helping professionals, school leaders, and managers.

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Professional Development
Training

Neurodivergent-affirming training for counsellors, art therapists, helping professionals, schools, and organisations.

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Parent
Support

Practical online sessions empowering parents of Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, and Neurodivergent children.

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Counselling for
Neurodivergent Adults 

Online counselling and art therapy supporting neurodivergent adults to explore and embrace their identities.

Hi! I’m Abi Raymond (she/her/ai)

I’m a Neurodivergent (AuDHD), Queer counsellor, arts therapist, and neurodiversity advocate.

My focus is support of Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, Neurodivergent, Queer and Neuroqueer individuals through neurodivergent-affirming practice.

The approach I take draws on two decades of professional clinical experience, training and research, alongside my lived experience as a multiply-neurodivergent professional and mother.

I provide client/whānau-centred, practical support that is both neuro-affirming and rainbow-affirming, through an intersectional lens. I advocate for neuro-inclusive practices in my work alongside parents, whānau, schools, professionals, and organisations.

As Pākehā and Tangata Tiriti, I uphold Tiriti O Waitangi principles.

I hold full professional membership with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) and the Australia, New Zealand, and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA), and I am an approved professional supervisor for both organisations.

Me mahi tahi tātou mo te oranga katoa  | We must work together for the wellbeing of everyone.

– Whakataukī (Māori proverb)

Rachael Kneepkens

I cannot tell you how affirming, helpful and empowering my session was with you. I spoke with our Principal today and could not speak more highly of you.  I think this was some of the best personal and professional development I have had in a long time.
Rachael Kneepkens - SENCO

Training Attendee

Thank you for all the resources, references and strategies. My kete is full! The passion felt by the trainers towards people with autism was so evident and catching. Gave me determination to make the world a more manageable place for autistic people.

Training Attendee

Training Attendee

The facilitators personal experience and knowledge was extensive

Training Attendee

 Arts therapist 

I’ve had the privilege of working with Abi in supervision over the years, and I can confidently say that it has been an incredibly enriching experience. As our relationship has evolved, I’ve found myself becoming more and more confident in expressing my needs for supervision. Abi’s support and guidance have played a significant role in my growth and development this year. My confidence has soared, thanks to our solid working relationship. Knowing that I have a supervisor who truly understands and validates my experiences has been invaluable. I highly recommend Abi’s supervision services to anyone seeking professional growth and support.

Arts Therapist

Counsellor

I cannot recommend Abi’s supervision highly enough. Throughout our sessions, I always felt safe and comfortable discussing my challenges in my work and seeking guidance on areas where I needed support. Abi provided excellent practical advice and strategies for working with various client issues, which I found incredibly valuable. Her specialist knowledge in areas such as neurodiversity and art therapy added an extra layer of support and insight to our discussions. If you’re looking for supportive and knowledgeable supervision, Abi is the perfect choice.

Counsellor

Counsellor

Having Abi’s support and guidance throughout this year has truly been invaluable. Abi has provided me with tools and resources which have been incredibly helpful in my work. With her supervision, I’ve gained a newfound confidence in working with autistic individuals and those affected by trauma. Without Abi’s guidance, I wouldn’t have been able to progress in these areas as effectively. I highly recommend her supervision to anyone seeking to enhance their skills and confidence in this field.

Counsellor

Parent of autistic 16-year-old

Abi is amazing. She made us feel like we can go through this and come out the other side. She gave us hope!

Parent of autistic 16-year-old

Parent of autistic 4-year-old

Abi was so easy to talk with and she is so knowledgeable on all areas of autism and understanding families going through struggles.

Parent of autistic 4-year-old

Parent of autistic 8-year-old

Thanks, so much for all your help understanding our son. It has been life changing.

Parent of autistic 8-year-old

Parent of a 10 year old girl

Abi has been encouraging and validating in our sessions. She explained things thoroughly and listened to us when we shared some emotional stories. This made all the difference.  Her visual supports helped immensely as well. We now understand our daughter and know how we can support her more

Parent of a 10 year old girl

Neuroaffirming Resources

 Neuroaffirming Futures’ neurodiversity and neuro-affirming resources have been prepared and chosen to support neurodivergent people, and for individuals, families and professionals who want to embrace neuro-affirming approaches. 

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Downloadables

Download printable infographics that support a neurodivergent-affirming perspective

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Blog

Neuro-affirming articles written by me, Abi Raymond

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Library

A diverse library of information that embraces a neuro-affirming perspective

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