Corinne Beuzelin-General and Autism counselling

17/11/2025

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Autistic Burnout in Counselling: What Counsellors Can Look For & How to Support

Autistic burnout often gets mistaken for ordinary stress, but it is very different.
It’s a deep, prolonged exhaustion caused by years of masking, pushing through sensory overwhelm, trying to meet neurotypical expectations, and living in a world that rarely matches our nervous systems.

Many autistic adults describe it as “hitting a wall you didn’t know was there.”

How it differs from ordinary stress

🌡 Ordinary stress:
• Improves with rest or a quiet weekend
• Linked to external stressors
• You still feel like “you”
• Motivation returns when life calms down

🔥 Autistic burnout:
• Can last weeks, months, or longer
• Impacts speech, memory, sensory tolerance, executive functioning
• Comes with identity confusion (“I don’t know who I am anymore”)
• Rest helps, but isn’t enough on its own
• Masking becomes almost impossible

How Counsellors Can Recognise Burnout

Autistic clients often won’t say “I’m in burnout” — sometimes they don’t realise it themselves.
Here are signs to look out for:

• Increased silence, shutdowns or going blank
• Struggling to find words
• Missing sessions they would usually attend
• Heightened sensory overwhelm (light, noise, movement)
• Reduced masking — appearing more “raw” or flat
• Feeling detached from identity
• Small tasks becoming overwhelming

These are not resistance. They are exhaustion.

Practical Ways Counsellors Can Support Clients in Burnout

1. Reduce communication demands

During burnout, even sending a text can feel too much.

You can agree together on a low-demand way to cancel or update you, such as:

• A single emoji (🔥 or 😴) meaning:
“I can’t attend today — I’m overwhelmed but safe.”
• A one-word message like “low capacity”.

This removes pressure, guilt and executive load.

2. Gently explore cognitive load

Helpful prompts include:

• “How much energy does daily functioning cost you right now?”
• “Are you noticing changes in speech, memory or sensory tolerance?”
• “Are tasks that were manageable now feeling harder?”

These questions help clients recognise burnout without feeling judged.

3. Lower the therapeutic demands

Burnout is not the time for emotionally intense work.

Consider:
• Slower pacing
• Shorter sessions temporarily
• More grounding and regulation work
• Allowing silence without pressure
• Permission to stim or move freely during the session

A low-demand room supports recovery.

4. Offer flexible attendance

• Temporary online sessions
• Camera-off sessions
• A weekly brief check-in instead of a full hour
• Adjustments to cancellation expectations

Flexibility preserves the therapeutic relationship without overwhelming the client.

5. Validate the experience

Naming it can be powerful:

• “What you’re describing is consistent with autistic burnout.”
• “Your nervous system is overwhelmed, not failing.”

Validation reduces shame and increases self-understanding.

6. Support practical adjustments outside sessions

Explore together:
• Reducing commitments
• Seeking accommodations
• Rest-first routines
• Sensory changes at home/work
• Lowering expectations rather than pushing through

Small shifts can prevent deeper collapse.

A final reminder

Autistic burnout isn’t laziness, avoidance, or resistance.
It’s the body and brain saying:

“I’ve carried too much, for too long.”

With the right support, clients can recover, rebuild capacity, and reconnect with their authentic selves — often more strongly than before.

Image Description:
A counselling room with a calm, cosy atmosphere. In the foreground on the left, there is a soft beige armchair covered with a textured throw and a matching cushion. A small wooden table sits beside it, holding tissues, coasters, and a couple of books. On the right side of the room, there is another chair covered with a blue tartan-style blanket, next to a narrow wooden bench.

At the back of the room, a large window spans most of the wall, overlooking rooftops and older brick buildings. On the windowsill, there are decorative items: two potted plants (one leafy, one an orchid), a lantern, and a Himalayan salt lamp. A small white heater sits below the window.

To the right is a wooden desk with a swivel office chair, a lamp with a warm yellow glow, framed pictures, and gentle decorative touches. The walls are white, with minimal decoration apart from a small picture hanging to the left. The overall feeling is comfortable, warm, and inviting.

15/11/2025

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Masking & Unmasking in Counselling

I don’t know if other counsellors have noticed this, but some weeks there seems to be a real synchronicity between what’s happening in our own lives and what our clients bring into the room.
This week, the theme that kept circling back was unmasking, something I have been really thinking about myself.

Masking is a term often used in the Autistic community to describe the conscious and unconscious strategies we use to fit into neurotypical expectations. It can look like copying social scripts, hiding sensory distress, suppressing stims, forcing eye contact, or monitoring every word and facial expression. For many Autistic people, masking becomes second nature long before we even have the language to describe it.

One of the biggest challenges is that we often don’t actually know when we’re masking and when we’re not. When masking becomes a lifelong habit, it can blur our sense of who we are beneath it.
Years—or decades—of masking can leave people saying something I hear often in therapy:
“I don’t know who I am.”
And this is one of the reasons why unmasking is so important—because it’s not just about comfort, it’s about slowly developing and reconnecting with our real identity.

For me, the starting point of unmasking didn’t come from major life changes.
It came from noticing the mundanity of my days and gently asking myself:

Am I doing this because I want to?

Or because I feel I should?

Or because I’ve been conditioned to respond in a certain way?

Unmasking has become an ongoing, gentle unravelling. These days, it looks like:

Acknowledging my sensory needs instead of pushing through them

Allowing myself to use accessories or tools to cope

Being OK to ask someone to repeat something when my delayed processing needs time

Dancing every day at home because movement feels regulating and sensory-pleasing

Becoming vegetarian because I genuinely dislike the texture of meat

Using fidgets without apologising for it

Making space for the alone time I need to regulate and recharge

And something new I’ve been allowing myself: running my hands and fingers through the air or the wind — a movement I’ve always loved but used to hide.
I still do it discreetly, but it feels grounding and joyful in a way I no longer want to mask.

These are just a few examples.

Becoming our Autistic, authentic selves—as much as possible within the world we live in—can be incredibly beneficial for our mental health. But finding the balance between authenticity and what society deems “appropriate” can be tricky, and it takes energy, patience, and compassion for ourselves.

And as counsellors, helping clients unmask isn’t simply about reducing behaviours—it’s often about helping them rebuild a sense of identity. Tools like values cards can be incredibly helpful here, offering a gentle way to explore what genuinely matters to them, rather than what they’ve been performing or feeling obligated to prioritise.

Prompts for Counsellors Supporting Autistic Clients with Unmasking

Exploring the Mask

“What parts of your day feel the most effortful or draining? What might that tell us about where you are masking?”

“If masking wasn’t necessary in this moment, what might you do differently?”

“What rules have you internalised about how you should behave, speak, or react?”

“When you say ‘I don’t know who I am,’ what parts feel missing or unclear?”

Discovering the Authentic Self

“Let’s explore something small you enjoy—how does your body respond when you allow yourself to do it openly?”

“What sensory experiences feel comforting or regulating for you?”

“Are there preferences you’ve dismissed in the past because they didn’t seem socially acceptable?”

“Would exploring value cards help us identify what genuinely matters to you?”

Building Awareness

“How does your body feel when you’re masking compared to when you’re not?”

“Are there situations where masking feels automatic? What cues your brain to put the mask on?”

Reducing the Mask Safely

“Where are the low-risk environments where you can experiment with unmasking?”

“What might a 5% reduction in masking look like—just a small easing, not a big leap?”

Identity and Self-Compassion

“Who are you when no one is watching?”

“What parts of you have gone unnoticed, even by yourself?”

“How can we honour the younger version of you who learned masking as a survival strategy?”

Balancing Authenticity and Safety

“Which aspects of unmasking feel empowering?”

“Which aspects feel risky, and how can we approach them with care?”

“What boundaries do you need to protect your energy as you unmask more?”

Picture Description / Alt Text:
A digital graphic featuring the words “MASKING / UNMASKING” in bold black capital letters on the left side. To the right is the circular logo for Corinne Beuzelin Autism Counselling. The logo shows a soft, pastel seaside scene with rounded pebbles on sand at the bottom, turquoise water in the middle, and a pale blue sky at the top. The name “Corinne Beuzelin” appears in a soft handwritten-style font near the top of the circle, with a simple green infinity symbol underneath. The words “Autism Counselling” appear in small capital letters just above the waterline. The overall colour palette is gentle and calming, with greens, blues, and sandy neutrals.

08/11/2025

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01/11/2025

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🌿 When RSD Kicks In – Personally and in the Therapy Room

Over the last couple of weeks, RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria) has come up quite a few times in my work — and if I’m honest, in my own life too.

A little example from me:
I was out walking when I saw a woman carrying her dog.
Me: “Well that’s a different definition of dog walking!” (laugh)
She smiled politely and carried on.
Later at home, my brain went into full replay mode:
“What if the dog was poorly and she was taking it to the vet? She’ll think I’m so stupid. And because it was near home, she’s probably a neighbour — I’ll probably bump into her again. That’s going to be so embarrassing. Corinne, you’re such an idiot. You know you’re no good at small talk and should keep your mouth shut…”

You get the idea!

Eventually I managed to self-regulate by naming what was happening: “Okay, RSD is kicking my butt.”
I reminded myself that I didn’t know the facts, that it’s not the end of the world even if I said something a bit silly, and that it just feels awful because my brain is interpreting it as rejection.

💬 What is RSD?

RSD stands for Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria – it describes the intense emotional pain some people feel when they perceive rejection, criticism or disapproval (real or imagined).
It’s not a formal diagnosis but is widely recognised among neurodivergent (ND) people, especially those with ADHD.
Research and clinical observations suggest that up to 99% of people with ADHD experience some degree of RSD symptoms.
It’s also often reported by autistic people, as emotional regulation differences, past experiences of being misunderstood, and social anxiety can all amplify sensitivity to perceived rejection.

🧠 Why does it happen?

Some theories suggest:

Emotional regulation differences – the ND brain can react more quickly and intensely to emotional cues.

Social experiences – many autistic or ADHD individuals have grown up feeling misunderstood or criticised for being “different”, making them hyper-aware of potential rejection.

Brain chemistry – differences in dopamine and threat-response systems may make social exclusion feel physically painful.

💭 How RSD can affect therapy

I’ve seen how RSD can quietly shape what happens between counsellor and client.
A client might leave a session thinking:

“I didn’t work hard enough today.”

“I said something stupid.”

“My counsellor must be disappointed in me.”

“I probably took up too much time.”

They might come back feeling anxious, overly apologetic, or avoidant. Sometimes they even cancel a future session because the shame feels too big.

From the therapist side, we might miss the signs if we don’t understand what’s going on underneath — or if we experience RSD ourselves and interpret the client’s withdrawal as rejection of us.

When we name RSD for what it is, it brings awareness, compassion and perspective back into the room.
We can gently explore:

“What are the facts here?”

“What story is your brain telling you?”

“Could there be another explanation?”

“What would it feel like to show yourself the same kindness you’d offer someone else?”

RSD doesn’t mean someone is “too sensitive”. It means their emotional wiring reacts fast and deep — but with understanding and support, those spirals can soften.

Picture description :
A soft, minimalist image featuring the Corinne Beuzelin Autism Counselling logo on the left — a circular seaside design with smooth pebbles on sand, turquoise waves, and a pale sky. The text “Corinne Beuzelin” appears in gentle script above an infinity symbol, and “Autism Counselling” is written in calm, uppercase letters below. To the right of the logo, in matching sea-green text, are the words “Rejection-sensitive dysphoria” in a clean serif font. The background is a warm off-white, giving the image a peaceful, coastal feel.

18/10/2025

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🌸 World Menopause Day 🌸

I’ve never been too keen on “World Days.”
Because most of the things we highlight once a year — menopause, mental health, autism, equality — should matter every single day.

But I can see the value in these days when they spark honest conversations and help others feel less alone.

So, on World Menopause Day, and as someone who is now five years post-menopause, I want to share a few reflections — especially around how menopause can feel very different for neurodivergent women.

Menopause hit me like a train.
One night I went to bed fine; the next I woke up achy, exhausted, emotional, and flooded with hot flushes, day and night. It stayed that way for years.

Let’s be honest: unless you have a truly understanding GP, you’re often left to navigate it on your own.

For autistic and neurodivergent women, the experience can be even more intense.
Our bodies and brains process change differently. Hormonal shifts can affect sensory regulation, emotions, executive function, and sleep — all things that are already finely balanced for many of us.

🌀 PMDD and hormonal sensitivity

Some women also experience PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) — a severe form of PMS that can bring despair, exhaustion, anxiety, irritability, and mood crashes.

Research shows autistic women are more likely to experience PMDD than non-autistic women — around 14% vs 9% according to recent studies, though some surveys suggest it could be higher.

That feeling of falling apart” isn’t made up It’s hormonal, neurological, and very real.
And if you live with PMDD, you’re already predisposed to struggle more during menopause, as your body is particularly sensitive to hormonal fluctuations.

💫 Menopause and autism: a perfect storm

Emerging research tells us that autistic and ADHD women report:

More intense psychological and physical menopause symptoms

Increased sensory sensitivities during perimenopause

Amplified autistic traits (more overwhelm, emotional volatility, executive struggles)

Feeling dismissed or misunderstood by healthcare professionals

A 2024 study even described it as a “perfect storm” — the collision of hormonal chaos, life stress, and neurodivergent wiring.

Many women say that menopause made masking harder, emotions sharper, and recovery from stress slower. Some describe it as “losing the version of myself I used to be.”

🌿 What helps — and what I’ve learned

1. Track your symptoms.
Keep a journal or app — note your mood, sleep, energy, and sensory changes. It helps you notice patterns and advocate for yourself with doctors.

2. Ask for support and don’t downplay your needs.
If your GP doesn’t listen, ask to see another. Ask directly about HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) — it’s not for everyone, but for many women (including neurodivergent women) it can make a life-changing difference.

3. Make lifestyle changes that support balance.
A nutritious diet, regular gentle exercise, and stress-reducing practices such as breathing techniques, time in nature, or creative outlets can help stabilise mood and energy.
There’s a lot of conflicting information out there — so do your research, and if you feel something might help, speak to your doctor for proper advice and support.

4. Stay connected.
Menopause can feel isolating — especially when you’re already masking or managing sensory overload. Find spaces (online or in person) where you can share honestly and be believed.

5. Educate and advocate.
Share your story. Encourage open conversations in therapy rooms, workplaces, and friendship groups.

Menopause is a tough journey for any woman.
But for neurodivergent women, it can feel like stepping into uncharted territory — one where even your own body doesn’t play by the rules anymore.

The good news? It does settle.
And many of us come out the other side with a new sense of calm, clarity, and authenticity — often more ourselves than we’ve ever been.

Let’s keep talking about this — not just on World Menopause Day, but every day.
Because awareness only matters when it turns into understanding, compassion, and real change. ❤️

7🪷 For Counsellors

As counsellors, we have an important role to play in normalising conversations about menopause in the therapy room.
Many women — especially neurodivergent ones — are unsure whether what they’re experiencing is “normal,” or they’ve been dismissed when raising it elsewhere.

Simply asking gentle, open questions about energy, sleep, emotions, or bodily changes can make a world of difference.
When we invite menopause into the conversation, we help clients feel seen in both their emotional and physical realities — something therapy is uniquely placed to do.

Here are a few prompts that may help open that dialogue:

🌸 Exploring bodily and emotional changes

Have you noticed any changes in your energy, sleep, or mood lately?

How have these changes affected how you see yourself or relate to others?

Are there any physical symptoms you’ve been living with that impact your wellbeing day to day?

🌀 Hormones, emotions, and overwhelm

Do you notice times when you feel more emotionally raw or sensitive than usual?

How do hormonal shifts or your menstrual cycle (if still present) seem to affect you emotionally?

What happens for you when your body feels unpredictable?

🌿 Connection and self-care

What kinds of things (or moments) help you feel most grounded or soothed lately?

How do you currently look after your body and mind — and what feels harder to do these days?

What sort of rest or downtime actually restores you, rather than just “filling the time”?

🧭 Identity and transition

How do you feel about this stage of life and what it represents for you?

Are there ways in which you feel you’re changing — physically, emotionally, or in how you view yourself?

What helps you stay connected to the parts of yourself you value most?

💬 Opening space for menopause talk

We don’t often talk about menopause openly — would it feel helpful to include it in our conversations?

How supported do you feel in understanding what your body is going through right now?

If you’ve brought up menopause or hormonal changes before (with friends, family, or professionals), how was that received?

🌼 For neurodivergent women in particular

Do you notice any changes in sensory sensitivity, sleep, or emotional regulation at certain times?

How do these changes affect your routines or your sense of control?

What kind of environment or support feels most stabilising when you’re going through hormonal shifts?

Encouraging these conversations can help clients feel understood and validated at a time when many feel their experiences are dismissed.
Menopause isn’t just a medical event — it’s a deeply emotional, social, and sometimes identity-shifting transition.
And for neurodivergent women, that recognition can make all the difference. 💛

Image description:
A circular logo on the left shows a calm seaside scene with smooth pastel-coloured pebbles on sand, turquoise waves, and a pale sky. In the upper half of the circle, the text reads “Corinne Beuzelin” in a flowing handwritten font, with an infinity symbol beneath it. Below the waves, the words “Autism Counselling” appear in a soft teal, sans-serif font. To the right of the logo, bold teal text in capital letters reads “MENOPAUSE WORLD DAY.” The overall design feels clean, balanced, and soothing, with gentle beach tones and a minimalist white background.

16/10/2025

I tend to post more on the following page nowadays

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So feel free to visit and follow me there🙂

Come and join me on my journey as I write my first book to deliver what you need to know as a Neurotypical (non Autistic) counsellor to work effectively with Autistic clients.

11/10/2025

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💬 Why Autistic People Often Struggle with Boundaries

Many Autistic people find setting or keeping boundaries really hard — and it’s not because they don’t care about themselves or others. It’s often because of a mix of lived experiences and how our brains work.

🌱 1. Early invalidation and masking
From a young age, many of us learn to hide our natural ways of being to fit in. Over time, this can disconnect us from our needs — making it hard to know where our boundaries even are.

💬 2. Difficulty identifying or expressing needs
Differences in interoception (body awareness) or alexithymia (understanding and expressing feelings difficulties) can mean we don’t always recognise when something feels “too much.” If we can’t name what’s wrong, it’s harder to speak up.

⚖️ 3. Social communication differences
Boundaries are often unspoken and full of subtle social cues — things Autistic people can miss or misread. We might also worry that saying “no” sounds rude or will upset someone.

❤️ 4. People-pleasing and fear of conflict
Many Autistic people, especially women, have learned to avoid conflict to stay safe or accepted. Saying no can trigger anxiety or fear of rejection, even when we’re exhausted.

🗯 5. Trauma and power imbalances
Being misunderstood, bullied, or taken advantage of can teach us that it’s safer to comply. Boundaries can then feel dangerous, even though they’re necessary for wellbeing.

🌊 6. All-or-nothing thinking
Sometimes, we swing between having no boundaries or having walls so high that nobody can get close. Finding that middle ground takes time, safety, and self-compassion.

💡 Building healthy boundaries starts with self-awareness — noticing what feels okay and what doesn’t, and practising small “no’s” in safe relationships.
A neurodivergent-affirming therapist can help you explore this gently — not by forcing change, but by helping you reconnect with your needs and your voice.

For counsellors:
When working with Autistic clients, consider exploring how they’ve learned to survive socially — what rules or fears shape their boundaries? Sometimes “I can’t say no” is really “I’ve never felt safe to.”
Creating that safety might be the first boundary they ever get to keep. 💛

Picture Description:
A minimalist square image with a soft off-white textured background. Centered near the top, the text reads “Why Autistic People Often Struggle with Boundaries” in a clean dark-grey sans-serif font. In the lower right corner is Corinne Beuzelin’s circular logo, featuring a calm coastal design — a pale blue sky, turquoise waves, and soft pastel pebbles in beige, green, and blue tones along a sandy shore. The infinity symbol sits above the words “AUTISM COUNSELLING” beneath Corinne’s name, written in a gentle cursive font. The overall mood is calm, professional, and soothing.

11/10/2025

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I’ve been thinking of writing a blog on this for a while, and then this morning I saw yet another reply to a post shaming a parent for using the “wrong” terminology. It struck me how sometimes Auti…

27/09/2025

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By Corinne Beuzelin – Autism Counselling Introduction When I tell somebody I am Autistic, I sometimes see the eye roll. The look that says, “Another one!” It’s a reaction many of my clients also de…

23/09/2025

I received this rejection email last week from the publisher I had sent my book proposal to. I wanted to take a few days to process it for myself before sharing here.

Of course, there was an initial ouch! moment, followed by the usual voices of “not good enough,” “that’s it, I’m not doing it anymore”… you know the drill.

But two things are helping me move forwards.

First, I’ve been through a few traumas in my life, and these have help me build resilience. So, I will dust myself off and keep going.

Second, I’m surrounded by so much support and love. My partner, my kids, and two wonderful ladies in the form of my book mentor and my lovely editor, who never stop believing in me—even when I don’t believe in myself. For that, I’m so grateful. ❤️

So, onwards and upwards. At this point, I feel like looking at more publishers might be a waste of time, as it seems only the most established writers are being taken on. I’ll look into it, but ultimately, I think self-publishing may be the way forward.

This is something I’ve never done before, so I feel both nervous and excited at the thought of learning something new. Please bear with me while I make my way through this latest development—I’ll be sure to keep you posted. And of course I will carry on doing posts in the meantime.

Image Description:
A computer screen displays an email rejection letter from Jessica Kingsley Publishers. The subject line at the top reads: “Autism in the Counselling room – Adapting Counselling for Autistic Clients.”

The email begins with “Dear Corinne Beuzelin,” and thanks the recipient for submitting the book proposal. It explains that, although the proposal was reviewed, it cannot be taken forward for publication.

The letter highlights that the number of titles the publisher can accommodate is limited, and that this decision is not necessarily a reflection on the quality of the work. It also mentions that due to the high number of proposals received, they are unable to provide specific feedback on each one.

The message closes with “Yours sincerely, Jessica Kingsley Publishers.” At the bottom, there is a note stating that the email address is not monitored and cannot accept direct replies, with instructions to manually type another address for contact if needed.

05/09/2025

Brilliant talk

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