Neuroaffirming Therapist in Edinburgh & Online
A space where your brain isn't the problem.
If you're neurodivergent, or wondering whether you might be, you may have spent years being told how you "should" think, focus, feel and cope. Therapy doesn't have to be one more place that tries to fit you into a mould.
I'm Amber Fieldgate, a person-centred, neuroaffirming therapist (MBACP). I see clients in person in central Edinburgh and online across Scotland and the UK. You don't need a diagnosis to start.
You're not lazy. You're not broken. You're not too much.
What is neuroaffirming therapy?
Neuroaffirming therapy starts from the idea that neurological differences, such as ADHD, are natural variations in how people think and experience the world. They are not flaws to be corrected.
In practice, that means:
You're not treated as a problem to fix. The aim isn't to make you appear neurotypical. It's to help you understand yourself and live in a way that suits you.
Your experience is taken seriously. If something feels exhausting, overwhelming or confusing, we start there, whatever it looks like from the outside.
Masking is understood, not judged. Many neurodivergent people spend years hiding or managing their natural ways of being. We can look at what that has cost you, and what it might feel like to ease off.
Shame gets room to soften. A lot of people arrive carrying years of self-criticism that was never really theirs.
Person-centred therapy in Edinburgh with a neuroaffirming lens
Person-centred therapy
Person-centred therapy is built on the belief that you are the expert on your own life. I offer a warm, honest, non-judgemental relationship and follow your lead, without worksheets, checklists or a fixed programme.
Neuroaffirming practice adds an understanding of how neurodivergent minds often experience the world, including sensory overwhelm, emotional intensity, executive function, masking and burnout. Together, they mean you don't have to explain or defend yourself before we can begin.
Curious how this differs from CBT? Read person-centred therapy vs CBT.
Who neuroaffirming therapy in Edinburgh can help
You might find this approach a good fit if:
ADHD diagnosis
You have an ADHD diagnosis, including a late one, and are making sense of your past.
Exploring neurodivergence
You think you might be neurodivergent but haven't been assessed, or are on a waiting list.
Masking and overwhelm
You're tired of masking and "holding it together".
Previous therapy experiences
You've tried therapy before and felt misunderstood, rushed or told to "just try harder".
Students and young professionals
You're a student or young professional dealing with overwhelm, burnout or perfectionism.
Young people and parents
You're a young person aged 13–19, or a parent looking for a therapist who won't pathologise how your child's mind works.
I can't diagnose ADHD or any other condition. A diagnosis comes from a formal assessment with a suitably qualified clinician. Your GP is a good first conversation if you'd like to explore that route, and I'm happy to talk through what it might involve.
Therapy for neurodivergent adults and young people: what I can support you with
Neuroaffirming therapy isn't a separate topic from the rest of your life. These are the areas people most often bring, each with its own page:
ADHD therapy
ADHD therapy: late diagnosis, women with ADHD, masking, shame and identity.
Anxiety therapy
Anxiety therapy: constant worry, panic, overthinking.
Burnout and stress therapy
Burnout and stress therapy: exhaustion that rest doesn't fix.
Self-esteem counselling
Self-esteem counselling: the inner critic, perfectionism, imposter syndrome and people-pleasing.
Therapy for students
Therapy for students: university pressure and overwhelm.
Therapy for teenagers
Therapy for teenagers: support for young people aged 13–19.
Individual therapy
Individual therapy: life transitions and anything else on your mind.
Not sure whether it's ADHD or anxiety? Read ADHD vs anxiety: how to tell the difference.
What to expect from a neuroaffirming therapist
The free intro call
A 15-minute, no-obligation conversation, by phone or video. You can tell me a little about what's going on, ask any questions, and we'll both get a sense of whether working together feels right.
Your first session
We'll talk about what brought you here and what you'd like from therapy. There's no need to have it all figured out, and nothing to prepare.
Ongoing sessions
Sessions are 50 minutes, usually weekly to begin with. You set the pace, and we adjust as we go. You can tell me what works and what doesn't, whether that's the room, the format or how we talk.
Neuroaffirming therapy in Edinburgh and online across the UK
George Street, Edinburgh
93 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2ES, in the city centre.
Across Scotland and the UK
Secure video sessions from wherever you are. See online therapy in Scotland or browse all locations.
About Amber, a neuroaffirming therapist (MBACP)
I'm a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) with a Master of Counselling (MCouns) from the University of Edinburgh.
I qualified in 2023 and have worked as a full-time counsellor since, with supervised placements from 2021.
I work in line with the BACP Ethical Framework.
Neuroaffirming therapy FAQs
What does "neuroaffirming" mean?
It means I treat neurological differences, such as ADHD, as natural variations in how people think and experience the world, not as flaws to correct. Therapy is about understanding yourself and living in a way that suits you, not becoming more "typical".
Do I need a diagnosis to see a neuroaffirming therapist?
No. You don't need a formal diagnosis to start therapy with me. Many people come while they're exploring whether they're neurodivergent, or while waiting for an assessment.
Can you diagnose ADHD?
No. A diagnosis comes from a formal assessment with a suitably qualified clinician. I can support you before, during or after that process.
How is neuroaffirming therapy different from CBT?
CBT is usually structured around specific techniques and exercises. My approach is person-centred and neuroaffirming. It's led by you, with no worksheets or fixed programme, and it focuses on understanding your experience and the relationship you have with yourself. If you're specifically looking for CBT, it's worth knowing that before we start.
Do you offer neuroaffirming therapy online?
Yes. I offer secure online sessions across Scotland and the wider UK, as well as in-person sessions in central Edinburgh.
What happens in the free intro call?
It's a 15-minute, no-obligation conversation. You can tell me a little about what you're looking for and ask any questions, and we'll both get a feel for whether working together feels right.
More questions?
See the full FAQ page →Also working online across the UK
As well as Manchester, I offer online therapy across Scotland Dundee, Aberdeen, Stirling, and Glasgow and England Newcastle, Leeds, and London.
Ready to take the first step?
The first step doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to be yours. Book a free 15-minute intro call and we'll take it from there. You can also read the FAQ first