http://www.linktr.ee/amylasencounselling

Amy Lasen Counselling, Manchester (2026)

26/02/2026

I almost didn't post this.I've been sitting on this guide for weeks, convincing myself it wasn't good enough. That I'm not qualified enough. That nobody needs another resource about ADHD. That I should just delete it and forget the whole thing.Classic RSD and imposter syndrome doing their thing.

But here's what finally got me to press publish: I would have really needed this when I was first diagnosed. And if even one person finds it helpful, that's worth the discomfort of putting it out there.

So here it is - a free guide called "Just Diagnosed with ADHD? Now What?"

It covers:
→ What you might be feeling right now (all of it is valid)
→ Understanding your ADHD brain
→ What actually helps (and what doesn't)
→ Finding ADHD-friendly therapy
→ Resources and next steps

It's not perfect. But it's honest, and it's real, and maybe that's more useful than perfect anyway.

Link in bio if you'd like it 💜

31/12/2025

I'm here to support the women who got a late diagnosis of ADHD, AuDHD, or ASD and suddenly realised why life felt so hard.

My passion is simple: To help you stop fighting your brain and start figuring out how to genuinely work with your brain to build a sustainable life.

When you work with me, my deep dives include:

- Healing from burnout and chronic overwhelm.
- Gently shedding the heavy armour of masking.
- Finding clarity around topics like Aphantasia and Alexithymia.
- Understanding how hormonal cycles affect ADHD.

As your non-judgmental counsellor and group facilitator, I believe in raising others up and celebrating every milestone and small win. It takes courage to start this healing process.

If you're ready to find support with a counsellor who values warmth, real talk - let's connect.

Click the link in my bio to book a free chat!

29/12/2025

Starting therapy doesn't mean that there's something wrong with you, it means something matters to you.

Stepping into counselling takes incredible bravery. After years of feeling like you had to solve every struggle alone, reaching out can feel like admitting a failure.
I want to reframe that completely.

Choosing to start therapy is the ultimate act of self-compassion. It means you matter. Your well-being matters. Your future matters. It means you’re ready to stop pushing through the chronic overwhelm and finally work with your brain to build a sustainable, authentic self.

There is nothing wrong with you. There is simply a strong, brave person choosing to get the non-judgmental support she deserves.
Click the link in my bio to book a free chat. Let’s turn that courage into a plan.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

27/12/2025

Every January 1st, the world screams: NEW YEAR, NEW ME! And if you're a late-diagnosed woman dealing with racing thoughts or the pressure to manage all the tasks, that noise can feel devastating.

I want to offer you a non-judgmental counter-narrative: New Year, Same You—and that is a beautiful, powerful thing.

You do not need to change. You don't need a hard reset, a stricter routine, or an entirely different personality. You have spent years being over socialised, trying to fit into a mould that never worked. Your burnout is a sign that the mould was the problem, not you.

This year, your focus shouldn't be on achieving external ideals, but on nourishing the person you already are.

Your only resolution should be self-acceptance:

Authenticity: Choose the things that genuinely work with your brain.

Sustainable Life: Build systems that you can actually maintain, not extreme challenges that lead to failure.

Kindness: Meet yourself where you are now, not where the "shoulds" tell you to be.

You are enough, exactly as you are. Let's make this year about celebrating your authentic self, not rewriting it.

What is one impossible "should" you are dropping this year?

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

27/12/2025

Self-compassion isn't weakness. It is the most brave and essential step in healing after a late diagnosis.

If you're a newly diagnosed professional woman, you've likely spent your life driven by a demanding inner critic. That voice told you that being hard on yourself was the only way to get things done—that relentless pressure was a form of self-motivation. But we know that approach leads straight to chronic overwhelm and burnout.

Choosing to be kind to yourself is not letting yourself off the hook; it's recognizing that the struggles you face are due to a system that doesn't fit your brain, not a flaw in your character.

True self-compassion is about giving yourself the support you need to finally work with your brain and nourish your inner world. It's the only way to build a sustainable, authentic self that doesn't constantly rely on survival mode.

You deserve grace. You deserve kindness.
Save this post as a personal reminder to choose grace over guilt today.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

25/12/2025

If the images on your screen are making you feel inadequate right now, I want to send you a gentle, non-judgmental reminder. The holiday season is a massive trigger for RSD and burnout, and the curated perfection you see on social media makes everything harder.

Here are three simple truths to help you protect your authentic self this week:

Social Media Isn’t Real: Those perfect tables, matching outfits, and calm gatherings? They are often edited highlight reels. Don't let a filter convince you that your own messy, authentic story is falling short.

Comparison is the Thief of Joy: When you compare your reality (the racing thoughts and the task struggles) to someone else’s performance, you rob yourself of the small, simple joys you do have. Work with your brain and focus on your own lane.

Tomorrow is Another Day: You don't have to manage all the tasks today. If you feel overwhelmed, allow yourself to stop. A messy detail or an unwritten card is not a failure. You can always hit the reset button.

You Are Enough: Remember that you are already enough. You don't need to earn your worth by performing. Your focus right now should be on building a sustainable life, not winning the holiday perfection contest.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

23/12/2025

Self-compassion isn't weakness. It is the most brave and essential step in healing after a late diagnosis.

If you're a newly diagnosed professional woman, you've likely spent your life driven by a demanding inner critic. That voice told you that being hard on yourself was the only way to get things done, that relentless pressure was a form of self-motivation. But we know that approach leads straight to chronic overwhelm and burnout.

Choosing to be kind to yourself is not letting yourself off the hook; it's recognizing that the struggles you face are due to a system that doesn't fit your brain, not a flaw in your character.

True self-compassion is about giving yourself the support you need to finally work with your brain and nourish your inner world. It's the only way to build a sustainable, authentic self that doesn't constantly rely on survival mode.

You deserve grace. You deserve kindness.
Save this post as a personal reminder to choose grace over guilt today.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

21/12/2025

As we head into the thick of the festive season, I want to share my working hours.

My practice will be closed for the holidays from 23rd Dec to 1st Jan.
During this time email replies will be limited: Please expect slow responses. Any new inquiries will be addressed after the break.

Important Note (Please Read!):
My counselling service is NOT a crisis service.

If you are struggling and need immediate support over the holidays, please refer to my recent posts for confidential phone and text support lines. Reaching out is a brave act, and there are caring people available 24/7.

I wish you all a season of peace, self-compassion, and authentic connection!

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

19/12/2025

The festive season can be incredibly demanding on the neurodivergent brain, often leading to chronic overwhelm, loneliness, and increased emotional intensity (hello, RSD). If you find yourself struggling, remember that reaching out is the bravest, most authentic thing you can do.

Please save this post and share these confidential, non-judgmental helplines. These resources are always here for you:

UK Mental Health Support Lines
Samaritans: Call 116 123 (Available 24/7, 365 days a year). They offer a safe space to talk about anything that's troubling you.

Shout Crisis Text Line: Text 'SHOUT' to 85258 (Available 24/7). This is a free, confidential text service for anyone struggling to cope.

SANEline: Call 0300 304 7000 (Open 4:30 PM–10:30 PM daily). They provide specialist emotional support, guidance, and information.

Reaching out is not a sign of weakness; it’s an essential part of building a sustainable life and meeting yourself where you are now. Your well-being matters more than any holiday tradition.

Take a deep breath. You are seen, and you are supported.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

17/12/2025

If the festive pressure is high, remember this is a time to nourish your system, not deplete it.

Consider this your immediate permission slip to protect your peace:
- Cancel the drinks you genuinely don't want to go to.
- Reschedule an appointment because you desperately need an evening to yourself.
- Give yourself permission to eat just gyoza for dinner (or whatever will truly nourish your cup at this very moment).

Prioritising yourself, especially when you're overscheduled and dealing with burnout is the first, most authentic step toward building a sustainable life.

What is one thing you are giving yourself permission to do (or not do) today? 👇

07/12/2025

If the festive season makes you feel like your emotions are running ten times hotter than usual, you’re not imagining it. The social pressure and overscheduling of the holidays are direct fuel for Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD).

RSD is the intense emotional pain—often linked to ADHD—caused by a perceived criticism or rejection. For the late-diagnosed woman, this sensitivity is already high, but the holidays compound it because:

Overscheduling Guilt: You're asked to manage all the tasks and attend every event. Saying "no" (or forgetting a detail) feels like a massive, personal failure, triggering intense self-judgment and fear of letting others down.

Increased Scrutiny: More social gatherings mean more opportunities for miscommunication or perceived slights. Your brain is hyper-vigilant, making the smallest comment feel like a catastrophic judgment.

No Energy to Mask: Exhaustion from chronic overwhelm means your defence system is low. The energy you use to mask runs out, leaving you raw and exposed to the sting of rejection.

This isn't a flaw in your character; it's a response to an overstimulating season.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

05/12/2025

The festive period can feel like another intense layer of tasks and social pressure, leading straight to burnout and chronic overwhelm. As an ADHD counsellor, I want to give you permission to ditch the "shoulds" and focus on supporting your most authentic self this season.

This year, let's prioritize peace over perfection. This season is about celebration, not exhaustion. Choose grace over guilt.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Amy Lasen Counselling

26/02/2026

31/12/2025

29/12/2025

27/12/2025

27/12/2025

25/12/2025

23/12/2025

21/12/2025

19/12/2025

17/12/2025

07/12/2025

05/12/2025

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