How do Psychosynthesis psychotherapists and counsellors conceptualise autism in cis gendered women, and how do they work with their clients lived experience?

15 October 2026 Ailsa Ilott

Are you a psychosynthesis counsellor or psychotherapist and have experience working with autistic cisgendered women or female clients who suspect they may be autistic?

My name is Ailsa and my research project forms part of my Advanced Diploma in psychosynthesis psychotherapy at the Psychosynthesis Trust. In this study I seek to explore how psychosynthesis therapists work with their cisgendered female autistic clients, and am curious about their experience and what they may have learnt about their own psychosynthetic practice through the process.

I want to begin a conversation and raise awareness around how we may work with autistic experiences psychosynthetically.

I am seeking psychosynthesis counsellors or psychotherapists who:

Have 4 years’ post counsellor qualification experience.
Experience working with cisgendered autistic women or female clients who suspect they maybe autistic.
Have an interest in exploring the experience of working therapeutically with autistic clients.

The commitment would be a semi-structured interview between 60-90 minutes via zoom or in person at the psychosynthesis trust, whatever suits you best. The interview will be audio recorded and transcribed. You will have to opportunity to re-read the verbatim transcript of your interview should you wish. All data will be treated confidentially and anonymised.

The study will use Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). IPA’s aim is to interpret how individuals make sense of their personal and social worlds within a particular context. Participation is voluntary. Interviews shall take place between October and November 2026. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time up until 1 February 2027 without giving a reason and with no negative consequences.

My research project has been given ethical approval by the Psychosynthesis Trust.

If you meet the participant criteria and would like to find out more, I would be very happy to hear from you. Please contact me at ailott.counselling@gmail.com for further information or to express your interest.