Aisha Centala

I have availability on 

Tuesdays 9am-3pm and 6-9pm

Wednesday 6-9pm

Thursdays  9am-3pm and 6-9pm

Friday 9am-3pm

Life is busy. Work, family and everyday responsibilities, the list of things you need to do never seems to end.

People rely on you, and that's okay, you like being dependable. Knowing others trust and value you. What you do matters, but you're carrying so much that it feels as though you're spinning plates.

You see others managing similar demands without seeming overwhelmed. So you push yourself harder. Tell yourself you just need to be more organised, more resilient, more productive.

Then an unexpected appointment, or change of plan. Suddenly you crash. You feel a failure.

Your not a failure. You're one person trying to manage an incredible number of demands.

For many neurodivergent people (or those who think they may be), life feels like it was designed for someone else. Pressure feels different. Expectations feel different. The strategies that work for other people don't always work for you.

"Take 5 minutes to gather your thoughts" may help some, but if your mind is juggling 20 different thoughts, being left alone with them can feel overwhelming. 

My experience supporting neurodivergent people both as a counsellor and throughout my social care career enables me to creating a space where people can finally stop masking, breathe, and simply be their authentic self without fear of judgement.

I love working with the pin ball mind that many people with ADHD experience. Rather than trying to slow your mind down, I allow the mind to dance naturally. Conversations can move freely, making connections that might not seem obvious, while gently discovering clarity and understanding.

I value my work with autistic clients. I appreciate the honesty, directness and authenticity they often bring to the counselling relationship. It's incredibly refreshing working with people who are comfortable saying exactly what they think, whether that's about their experiences, their progress or even the experience therapy itself. That openness builds a relationship based on trust, and mutual respect.

The relationship between counsellor and client is at the heart of everything I do. I believe therapy works best when it’s genuine. What you see is the real me. I won't pretend to be someone I'm not. I am warm, gentle and collaborative, and I believe you’re the expert on your own life. My role isn't to tell you who you should be, but to sit alongside you exploring your emotions, beliefs, experiences and patterns together.

I understand that no two people process the world in the same way. I adapt to your communication style, sensory preferences and processing needs, creating a space that feels comfortable, and truly person-centred.

Together we can build a better understanding of who you are, recognise what makes you unique, and create a life that works for you rather than one you constantly have to fit yourself into. A life that feels authentic. Made to measure, rather than off the peg.

Alongside my private practice, I have supported people in a variety of settings, including Pegasus Mens wellbeing centre, Garden House Hospice, a SEN school and 25 years in social care. During this time I have worked with people experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, anger, trauma, autism, ADHD, learning disabilities and a wide range of mental health and life challenges.

This breadth of experience enables me to meet each person with curiosity, compassion and respect, recognising that no two people experience the world in exactly the same way. Whatever has brought you to counselling, you don't have to figure it out alone.

I offer a free 30-minute introductory session. This is an opportunity for us to meet and begin to get a sense of one another. 

Many people feel nervous before meeting — that’s completely normal. You don’t need to prepare anything or know exactly what to say. My role is to help you feel comfortable enough to begin sharing what has brought you to counselling, and to see if working with me is right for you.

We’ll start by talking a little about what has led you here and what you would like to gain from therapy. You might simply want a space to offload, or you may have particular goals in mind such as understanding your emotions, managing anxiety, or building confidence. Together we’ll gently explore what you need from me and how I can best support you.

I’ll explain how counselling works, including confidentiality, boundaries, and session structure. This ensures that you know what to expect and that our work feels safe and transparent. You are welcome to ask questions at any point.

My counselling style is gentle and collaborative. I adapt my approach to meet your communication style and pace, especially if you process information differently or prefer extra time to reflect. There is no pressure to share anything before you’re ready.

By the end of the session, many people describe feeling a little lighter or clearer about what they want from therapy. It’s also a chance for you to decide whether I feel like the right counsellor for you.