<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[catherineflynn]]></title><description><![CDATA[Counselling, EMDR and therapeutic coaching for neurodivergent adults, mainly Autistic, ADHD & AuDHD. ]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:26:35 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[The Thinking behind Autism Self-identification Flashcards]]></title><description><![CDATA[I want to share a bit more about the flashcards I created and the thinking behind them, as the relationship between autism and the DSM-5 is, without doubt, complicated. Schulz's choreographic drawing for a piece titled Four Movements of the Dead Woman , 1921 — Source . When a person starts to wonder if they’re autistic, it’s a complex journey to go on. There’s so much information and misinformation out there. For some people, information can bring a strong sense of recognition - a click, a...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/the-thinking-behind-autism-self-identification-flashcards</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69da546c75afb0779a71f4d7</guid><pubDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:05:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_bb066f4aefcb4d0a89fe572b8cd93fb7~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_850,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Flashcards for spotting autistic experience]]></title><description><![CDATA[In my work as a counsellor, I often sit with people who are asking themselves: “Could I be autistic?” For many, it’s not a question they feel safe exploring out loud yet. There’s still so much misunderstanding. Additionally they may be seeking a formal diagnosis, and the process of seeking assessment can feel like a big step. Over time, I found myself wanting a more accessible way into that exploration - something that allows people to reflect on their own experience in a visual way. So I...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/flashcards-for-spotting-autistic-experience</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69da51a48614fb4128ae1820</guid><pubDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:57:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_ca0e0757b454453c89dceea7373a6506~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AuDHD - getting to know your tidal system]]></title><description><![CDATA[How would you describe your AuDHD tidal patterns? What helps you to pause so you can see what your neurodivergent needs are?]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/audhd-getting-to-know-your-tidal-system</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699d795c37166b2a6289ee4b</guid><pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:16:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_b1064480432f45439ddb0325fcd6c818~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_677,h_608,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AuDHD &#38; the changing tides of ADHD medication]]></title><description><![CDATA[I want to capture something about the tide of AuDHD, particularly in the context of ADHD medication. I would say that I am on the whole medication neutral/positive. ADHD medication is used in my family and it has been useful for a number of reasons. But something I’m seeing in my private practice as a therapist is giving me pause to reflect on the double-edged sword of meds. The Resounding Sea - Thomas Moran American, born England, 1837-1926 So you get your assessment, your diagnosis, you go...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/audhd-the-changing-tides-of-adhd-medication</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699d78399509a0da66f9705b</guid><pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:10:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_3f15211607814e9b9a80b33cc22549ff~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_627,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autistic Fairy Tale series - Escaping the Kingdom of Normalia]]></title><description><![CDATA[This article is inspired by a recent article on the systems that harm , written by Helen Edgar from Autistic Realms . Once upon a time, the world was inhabited by magical creatures who lived in holloways and hiding places, under tree boughs and at the bottom of wells, in the little pockets of villages and towns where you would have to seek them out to find them. You may have heard of some of them in stories - the green man, the jubilant sparrow, the naughty king, the boats of stone that carry...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/autistic-fairy-tale-series-escaping-the-kingdom-of-normalia</link><guid isPermaLink="false">692067382ba86798346bb60e</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:25:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_19061800f3814cfca114fc8a7f8a9099~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_833,h_601,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autistic Fairy tale series - The Black Lake]]></title><description><![CDATA[There is said to be a lake in the depths of Wales, a lake so dark that it would pull you in until your thoughts disintegrated and scattered across the watery universe. People had heard tales about the lake, that it had been tested and they couldn’t find the bottom of it. It is surrounded by dark walls of rock, and guards secrets close to its elusive heart. Winter, Llyn Dulyn  by Charles Potter (1832–1907) The fish, they say, never kept if you caught one – they were thin and long with large...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/autistic-fairytale-series-the-black-lake</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6920668435662176f69b0e0f</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:20:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_8af84972cb2c41dd9b60bc1553c1ab0e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_719,h_467,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autistic fairy tale series: The Last Pearl]]></title><description><![CDATA[Once upon a time a baby was born. She was delivered in lamplight and her voice which pierced the veil of listening ears, was welcomed and celebrated. The crib rocked and held the little one, glad at last that it had its role fulfilled in holding her and soothing her as her tiny fingers and toes explored the world. Outside in the night, the bird song wove a tapestry of longing, wishing that this child would one day follow their voices to the valley of truth. At this time though, there was no...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/autistic-fairy-tale-series-the-last-pearl</link><guid isPermaLink="false">692065699e2226b1d41da6f5</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:16:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_e469dee3ff3145f381db2d33de76bf3d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_496,h_497,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autistic fairy tale series: The legend of the great elf rebellion]]></title><description><![CDATA[Once upon a time there was an enchantment of elves (for that is the collective noun for a gathering of these creatures). They worked tirelessly for Santa, until they didn’t. For this was an incredibly unusual year. It was the legendary year when they broke out of the Elfin workhouse. But let me first go back a little bit and tell you how this came about. This was all because one of them discovered something quite special – a book. One of the elves who was an even more curious elf than all the...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/autistic-fairy-tale-series-the-legend-of-the-great-elf-rebellion</link><guid isPermaLink="false">692063fc0acaec313276ba0a</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:11:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_f4c1e5727272414f9f1528d457901f7e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autistic fairy tale series - The Fisherman Who Sold His Soul]]></title><description><![CDATA[This fairy tale is dedicated to all the neurodivergent souls that have been swept up in the net of the machine called productivity. I have an endless hope that while being in it they can untangle themselves, look out beyond the net and see the glints of shimmering water. And in my mind I hope that they reach out towards the light, and the net dissolves and they can find their way back to themselves. (This story is also inspired by Against The Machine  by Paul Kingsnorth , and the title is...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/autistic-fairy-tale-series-the-fisherman-who-sold-his-soul</link><guid isPermaLink="false">692062330acaec313276b6a3</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:04:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_a3a701006c674c1d97534bb48286f0e4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_416,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autistic Fairy tale series: The princess and her beautiful dragon]]></title><description><![CDATA[Fairy tales for the late-diagnosed/identified - how the passions of autistic people are often rejected and exiled, inspired by Paolo Uccello's St. George and the Dragon St. George &#38; The Dragon, Paolo Uccello 1470. National Gallery, London There once lived a princess who loved a dragon. She had raised it from an egg she found in the cave beyond the castle walls—a cave whose arching entrance matched exactly the curve of the dragon’s spine, the sweep of its tail, the dome of its skull. The...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/the-autistic-princess-and-her-beautiful-dragon</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68fa3c0d94cca4a8cf1f02c6</guid><pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:33:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_a5fb87e92651436c99d181ee8cdc0ed2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autistic Fairy tale series: The Girl in the Glass Bubble]]></title><description><![CDATA[Fairy tales for late-diagnosed/identified autistic adults — finding truth, tenderness, and self-recognition in the glass between worlds. I’ve finished my series on the ten pillars of autistic culture and really enjoyed the approach of writing a series. And so with that in mind here’s my new series - five (it may turn into ten, who knows!…) autistic fairy tales - because I love children’s stories! I’m not sure yet how many stories I’m going to write, as sometimes (or often) my autistic brain...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/the-girl-in-the-glass-bubble-autistic-fairytales</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68fa38d988cb3bc84afa5645</guid><pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:25:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_657d22f55d8e4c9b921048109962194b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_355,h_349,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Following the Comet’s Trail: How autistic pattern recognition guides neuroaffirmative therapy]]></title><description><![CDATA[Autistic pattern recognition is a key defining trait for autistic people - read on to find out more. Have you ever had that moment—where something doesn’t quite add up, but you can’t say why? Maybe someone says they’re “fine,” but the timing of their smile is off.Maybe you walk into a room and sense a heaviness, a shift in tone.Maybe you notice that the same feeling keeps bubbling up in different places, like echoes of a story you haven’t fully told yourself yet. If that sounds familiar,...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/following-the-comet-s-trail-how-autistic-pattern-recognition-guides-neuroaffirmative-therapy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68fa35f73868a5b2a1eb2d0b</guid><pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:11:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_6ac51608e5dd485ea14e7e0886a26dd0~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_507,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Beautiful Energy of Super-Fanning: Exploring the Last Pillar of Autistic Culture]]></title><description><![CDATA[How the passions/special interests of autistic people create private universes and why that matters in therapy. So I’m onto the last pillar of autistic culture – passionate super fanning . And what a great one it is to end on (see other articles for reflections on the other nine pillars). I love how this topic turns up in the counselling room! In my imagination while listening to clients, I’ve been a guest at a Taylor Swift  concert right at the front, delved into the detail of the band Ghost...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/the-beautiful-energy-of-super-fanning-exploring-the-last-pillar-of-autistic-culture</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68fa198ed3059fbaddd539c3</guid><pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:07:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_acf3a0b162fd45818db9562e63397082~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_840,h_615,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autistic Justice Seeking in Therapy: Why Your Moral Clarity Isn't a Flaw]]></title><description><![CDATA[Neuroaffirmative therapy honours your autistic integrity instead of trying to fix it I listened to the podcast today on Pillar nine of autistic culture  – justice seeking . A quick definition being: Noticing when things feel unfair, whether real or perceived Feeling emotions rooted in care and empathy Reflecting deeply instead of brushing it off Wanting to bring balance, fairness, or positive change My Earliest Memory of Justice Seeking One of the questions that came up in the podcast chat ...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/autistic-justice-seeking-in-therapy-why-your-moral-clarity-isn-t-a-flaw</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68fa176e17e22f987177ac40</guid><pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:00:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_9182f2960c404befa35ff74692991244~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Breaking the System (Gently): How Autistic Norm-Challenging Shows Up in Therapy]]></title><description><![CDATA[How autistic people notice what others don’t — and what happens when no one wants to hear it. Wow, norm-challenging and how it shows up in the counselling room. Pillar three of autistic culture in the autistic culture podcast .  Where do I even start with this?! Norm-challenging is a big part of autistic culture — that constant questioning of “but why do we do it this way?” It’s not about being awkward or difficult. It’s just… we notice stuff. We see the gaps. We ask the questions. We make...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/breaking-the-system-gently-how-autistic-norm-challenging-shows-up-in-therapy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68fa16323059d57534bbdbbe</guid><pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:52:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_d5ccd11c1bb24f38ba37a8546f78de1e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_640,h_550,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Predictably Comforting Friends: Embracing Autistic Sameness]]></title><description><![CDATA[How autistic pride can come about in embracing your comforts! I would like to dedicate this article to my 'predictably comforting friends' – some of the things that have made life so much easier. I didn't even know these little friends existed, but now that I do, I want to thank them for helping me. Thank you breakfast I feel very fond of my breakfast. I would like to thank it for appearing in my life over a year ago. I spent years wandering around the confusing dimension of breakfast...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/predictably-comforting-friends-embracing-autistic-sameness</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68fa1451e6a1a5c2158dc0bd</guid><pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:47:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_7744d3852c3f4a2da496459da088bc65~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Autistic Clients Reclaim Their Creative Power in Therapy]]></title><description><![CDATA[This post is an exploration based on Pillar seven of Autistic Culture  as described in the Autistic Culture podcast by Dr. Angela Kingdon...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/how-autistic-clients-reclaim-their-creative-power-in-therapy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68cae2b2345efb3a88357dcd</guid><pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:37:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_6e8c41e4123d482192000db1982c3ddd~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_741,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autistic Innovation - how it turns up in therapy]]></title><description><![CDATA[So in this post I'm going to explore pillar six of autistic culture (as explored in the Autistic Culture Podcast ) which is titled Game...]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/autistic-innovation-how-it-turns-up-in-therapy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68c41e9b65c4abb322da8607</guid><pubDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2025 13:27:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_46ed76189f20429e9e1cf69e5339696b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tending the Garden of Autistic Joy: Why World-Building Matters]]></title><description><![CDATA[How autistic joy can be cultivated through world-building.]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/tending-the-garden-of-autistic-joy-why-world-building-matters</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68790249036729d520b32cd8</guid><pubDate>Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:20:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_60274c5dcb064886b7e0f5e832a67624~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_947,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autistic rhythmic communicating in the counselling room]]></title><description><![CDATA[How rhythmic communicating is part of autistic culture, and how this comes up in the counselling room.]]></description><link>https://www.neurofriendlytherapy.co.uk/post/autistic-rhythmic-communicating-in-the-counselling-room</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68456318e0f98f52e29ada85</guid><pubDate>Sun, 08 Jun 2025 10:21:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/540f08_7c412aa8f54a48feaa7202259ad74327~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_756,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Catherine Flynn</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>