Kirsty Cartwright — Autism-Affirming with Skyla Counselling

Kirsty Cartwright is an integrative counsellor who runs Skyla Counselling from the Reflection Rooms on Barton Street in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, and also sees clients online. She has a particular interest in autistic adults — people with a diagnosis, those exploring one, and those who recognise autistic traits in themselves without a formal label — and works with adults more generally on anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, shame, trauma and life changes such as menopause.

For autistic clients, the practical point is that sessions are shaped around the person rather than a set model. Kirsty adapts to communication preferences, sensory needs and processing style, and aims to make the room a place where there is less need to mask or explain. Common threads include making sense of a recent or late diagnosis, autistic burnout, overwhelm, identity and relationships. Her training combines person-centred and psychodynamic approaches, so the work can look at present pressures and at how earlier experiences still shape them, with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) brought in where it fits. Short-term and longer-term work are both available.

Kirsty holds a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and has completed Autism-Informed and Trauma-Informed Practitioner training and additional training in online and telephone counselling. Her placements included Essential Space, a Gloucestershire counselling service, and Young Gloucestershire, supporting 18–25-year-olds through transitions. Her interest in neurodivergence is also personal: she is a parent and partner in a neurodivergent family. Sessions last 50 minutes, and a free 15-minute initial consultation is available.