Siân Renwick

She/Her

Abingdon, Oxfordshire and online throughout the UK

As a late-identified autistic therapist, my style of counselling builds on and adapts my core theoretical training in a way that works for me and my neurodivergent clients. The main modality that I draw on is person-centred therapy, although my training was integrative (i.e. included multiple humanistic modalities). However, I've found that autistic clients often respond better to a bit more structure and counsellor input than a strictly person-centred therapist might typically use. In our sessions, you can expect me to let you take the lead but not to let you flounder if you don't know where to start. We might begin by talking about how your week has been and see what you notice coming up for you as a result, or you might come with a really clear idea of what you want to focus on - both are completely fine! I also really encourage you to make the space as comfortable as possible - stimming is allowed and encouraged, and I'm happy to adjust lighting etc as far as possible. Eye contact isn't required! Therapy with me is a collaborative journey - you're the expert in your own experience and what I can bring is the outsider perspective which can allow me to make connections that you might be too close to see, as well as experience in how being autistic can often show up or affect us ('psychoeducation'). I'm not here to 'fix' you, or to tell you what to do, but hopefully together we can start to find a way towards the life you want. In terms of the practicalities, I work both in-person in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and online via video-conferencing with clients throughout the UK. I offer weekly sessions that are 60-minutes long, for as long as you find them helpful. While I've done short-term work with some clients, many of my clients choose to stay for 6 months or longer.

Who I work with

I work with autistic adults, most of whom are late-identified or late-diagnosed, and are exploring what it means to navigate a world that isn't designed for us.

Many of my clients have spent years feeling out of place, on the periphery of friendship groups, and constantly on the back foot without understanding why. This can lead to anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem, and a lack of positive identity. Often clients tell me that they've felt invalidated or misunderstood by previous therapists and other health professionals, which has left them feeling like they're the problem.

I'm especially interested in working with clients who have intersecting marginalised identities - e.g. neurodivergent and queer / trans - and am committed to continually developing a social justice-informed and anti-oppressive practice.

About Me and How I Work

As a late-identified autistic therapist, my style of counselling builds on and adapts my core theoretical training in a way that works for me and my neurodivergent clients. The main modality that I draw on is person-centred therapy, although my training was integrative (i.e. included multiple humanistic modalities). However, I've found that autistic clients often respond better to a bit more structure and counsellor input than a strictly person-centred therapist might typically use.

In our sessions, you can expect me to let you take the lead but not to let you flounder if you don't know where to start. We might begin by talking about how your week has been and see what you notice coming up for you as a result, or you might come with a really clear idea of what you want to focus on - both are completely fine! I also really encourage you to make the space as comfortable as possible - stimming is allowed and encouraged, and I'm happy to adjust lighting etc as far as possible. Eye contact isn't required!

Therapy with me is a collaborative journey - you're the expert in your own experience and what I can bring is the outsider perspective which can allow me to make connections that you might be too close to see, as well as experience in how being autistic can often show up or affect us ('psychoeducation'). I'm not here to 'fix' you, or to tell you what to do, but hopefully together we can start to find a way towards the life you want.

In terms of the practicalities, I work both in-person in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and online via video-conferencing with clients throughout the UK. I offer weekly sessions that are 60-minutes long, for as long as you find them helpful. While I've done short-term work with some clients, many of my clients choose to stay for 6 months or longer.

Qualifications & Professional Background

I hold a counselling practitioner qualification that's recognised by the major UK counselling bodies - the CPCAB Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling - and am a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). I'm also fully insured and registered with the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) as a data processor.

Since qualifying as a counsellor, I've been continually developing my professional skills through clinical supervision, self-study, and CPD courses, with a particular focus on issues relating to neurodivergence, trans and queer identities, trauma-informed practice, and anti-oppressive practice.

Next Steps

Please check out my website at www.radicalempathycounselling.co.uk for more information and feel free to use the contact form to get in touch and/or book a free initial consultation.

You can also email me directly at sian@radicalempathycounselling.co.uk if you prefer

I aim to reply to all enquiries within 2 working days.

£70 per 60-minute session