Kirsty Cartwright — Autism-Affirming with Skyla Counselling

Hello, I’m Kirsty.

I am a qualified integrative counsellor offering a warm, compassionate, and collaborative space where you can explore whatever is bringing you to therapy. My training incorporates person-centred, and psychodynamic approaches, allowing me to adapt my counselling to your individual needs rather than expecting you to fit a particular model.

I believe that healing and personal growth happen within a safe therapeutic relationship, where you feel heard, understood, and accepted without judgement. Together, we can explore not only the challenges you may be facing in the present, but also how past experiences, relationships, and life events may continue to influence your emotional wellbeing today.

I have a particular interest in supporting autistic adults, individuals exploring a diagnosis, and those who identify with autistic traits. I work in a neurodiversity-affirming way, adapting sessions to suit your communication preferences, sensory needs, and processing style. My aim is to create a therapeutic space where there is less pressure to mask, explain, or fit expectations, and more opportunity to understand yourself with curiosity, self-compassion, and acceptance.

Many autistic adults spend years feeling different, misunderstood, or exhausted by the effort of masking. Some may be navigating a recent diagnosis, questioning whether autism may explain lifelong experiences, or trying to make sense of burnout, overwhelm, identity, relationships, or self-esteem. Therapy can provide a space to explore these experiences safely and at your own pace.

My professional development includes Autism-Informed and Trauma-Informed Practitioner training. I am also currently undertaking training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), further developing my understanding of how trauma, stress, and difficult life experiences can affect the nervous system, relationships, emotional wellbeing, and sense of self.

My interest in neurodiversity is both professional and personal. As a parent and partner within a neurodivergent family, I have witnessed the strengths, creativity, challenges, and misunderstandings that can arise when navigating a world that is not always designed with neurodivergent people in mind. This personal insight complements my professional training and ongoing commitment to learning, helping me offer a thoughtful, respectful, and affirming therapeutic space.

Whether you are seeking support following a diagnosis, exploring your identity, navigating autistic burnout, processing past experiences, or looking for a place where you can be yourself without judgement, I would welcome the opportunity to work with you.

My hope is that together we can create a space where you feel safe enough to bring your whole self.