Jessica: Mindful Mentoring, Neurodivergent Coaching
Jessica Andexer
Hi, my name is Jessica. I’m really glad you’ve found your way to Thriving Autistic and hope you find the right person to connect with for some post-identification support. I’ll share some information and ideas, to help you see if that might be me.
About me:
My way of working is informed by my many years of training in counselling, psychotherapy, nervous system regulation, trauma, mindfulness, somatic practices and other neurobiology-focused theories of mental and emotional well-being, as well as neurodiversity.
The way I work is not prescriptive but is personalised and responsive to your needs.
I offer a space where the science of how our bodies and brains function under stress, after trauma and when we have differing neurotypes, is woven thoughtfully and gently throughout sessions.
Working since 2006, my time has been spent in the NHS, in charities, private practice, teaching at University and training other professionals.
I am multiply neurodivergent myself (autistic, dyslexic and dyspraxic) and have raised a neurodivergent daughter.
My own journey through assessments, both my own and my daughter’s, learning about our neurodivergent brains and nervous systems, as well as how we learn to live meaningfully and well in a neurotypical world has all fed into the work I do.
I identify as queer, multiply disabled and live with chronic health conditions.
I’m passionate about creating inclusive, accessible therapeutic and mindfulness spaces. I love making connections between science and how we live in our day to day lives, as well as creativity and improv!
About you:
You may be uncertain how a support session can be used and there’s no pressure to come to one knowing, but here are a few questions, to give you some ideas for possible areas to explore:
- Would you like a session to process, understand and perhaps ask questions about the identification process and how it was for you?
- Would you like to gain some understanding of how you experience your day-to-day life, work, and relationships through the lens of your neurotype?
- Would you like some space to consider how you manage your well-being in a world that isn’t always built for us?
- Would you like to explore these things with someone who has lived experience?
- Would you like to understand a bit more about masking, meltdowns and burnouts and what’s happening physiologically?
- Would you like to explore a less pathologised perspective of your autistic identity?
- Would you like to explore how it might feel to ‘come out,’ to family, friends and/or work?
- Would you like to learn about nervous system overwhelm and underwhelm, explore what your sensory profile might look like and how to use neurodivergent accessible mindful and somatic tools to respond to anxiety/stress states?
- Would it be interesting to look at what kinds of support, information, and community ++ might be useful to you moving forward?
- Would you like a little space with a qualified and very experienced counsellor to be with how you’re feeling about your own autistic experience and how it impacts you?
If yes, some time with me may be useful.
We can’t explore all of these questions in one session, but we can look at one or two of the most pressing areas for you and maybe also look at what else you may need moving forward.
A session can be used to explore any of the above, but also anything that feels pressing for you right now. You can come knowing or not knowing what you’d like to speak about.
Logistics:
You can have your camera on or off in a session, you can also use chat to communicate with me, however as I am dyslexic I would respond verbally.
My availability for post-identification support sessions is on some weekday afternoons and some Saturdays.