People with Autism and ADHD can share an overlap of symptoms with people who have experienced trauma. For counsellors and psychotherapists this similarity can be misleading and complex, as though they share a similar presentation, and often co-occur they are not the same. While there is increasing research that trauma responses and neurodivergent traits can mimic each other, there is limited research exploring how therapists differentiate between the two, when trauma and neurodivergence are both plausible frames for a clients’ core issues, and how they arrive at a working formulation, and the implications on practice.
I am conducting research exploring how counsellors and psychotherapists navigate and make sense of the symptom overlap of trauma and neurodivergent traits, and how they understand the practical and relational consequences of framing difficulties such as anxiety, relationship difficulties and emotional dysregulation, as trauma responses, neurodivergent traits, or both. By exploring therapists’ clinical experiences and perspectives, the research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of working with, and differentiating between trauma responses and neurodivergent traits.
The study findings aim to lead to new insights that will inform professional practice on how to recognise trauma while respecting neurodivergence.
I am seeking registered and qualified counsellors and psychotherapists with a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience to participate in a one-to-one online interview lasting between 60-90 minutes.
Participation is voluntary and all data will be anonymised. Should you wish, you can withdraw your data up to three weeks after the interview.
Interested in taking part?
For further information or to register your interest in the study, please click here or contact Kehinde Brown u3228684@uel.ac.uk
Please see here to view the participant information sheet.
Please see here for more information.