What Is Neuroaffirming Therapy? Insights From Plum Psychology

By Dr Gemma Finlay-Carruthers, HCPC Psychologist at Plum Psychology

Neuroaffirming therapy starts from a simple but important belief: you are not broken.

Rather than viewing neurodivergence as something to fix, manage, or overcome, neuroaffirming therapy recognises it as a natural part of human diversity. This approach to therapy focuses instead on lived experience, individual differences, and autonomy - it understands that distress often comes from trying to survive in systems (at work and home) that weren’t built with neurodivergence in mind.

How is Neuroaffirming Therapy Different to Other Therapies?

Traditional therapy is grounded in the question: “How do we help you fit the world better?”. Whereas neuroaffirming therapy is grounded in: “What do you need to feel safer, supported, and more yourself?” This means that neuroaffirming therapy works with your nervous system rather than against it. Progress isn’t measured by meeting external expectations or performing neurotypical norms, but by whether your life feels more sustainable and authentic.

What Happens in Neuroaffirming Therapy?

At Plum Psychology all members of our team are committed to providing a neuroaffirming approach. It shapes how we understand your distress, how we structure your therapy sessions, and how we show up alongside you as you move towards your therapy goals once you are in therapy.

For me personally (Dr Gemma Finlay-Carruthers), this approach is shaped by both my professional training and my lived experience. I’m AuDHD - autistic and ADHD - and my brain processes the world differently. I notice things deeply, feel things strongly, and often move through the world at a pace that doesn’t match what’s expected. I don’t see this as a flaw. It’s part of who I am, and it deeply informs how I understand people and provide therapeutic support: I don’t see people as problems to be fixed, and I don’t believe there’s one right way to think, feel, communicate, or regulate.

In my sessions, this shows up in practical, tangible ways, such as:

• Autonomy is central. You get to define your goals. Therapy isn’t about me deciding what “progress” should look like for you.

• There is no pressure to perform. I don’t force eye contact, stillness, or a particular way of communicating. You can stim, fidget, look away, pause, write instead of speak, or use alternative ways of expressing yourself.

• Sensory needs are taken seriously. Lighting, sound, clothing, smells, and environments all shape how safe and regulated someone feels.

• Executive functioning differences are met with flexibility. This can include understanding around appointments and cancellations, pacing sessions differently, body doubling, reminders, or breaking things down into more manageable steps.

• Regulation supports are welcomed. Simple tools like cushions, fidgets, weighted items, or grounding strategies can support comfort, regulation, and presence during sessions.

• Self-identification of neurodivergence is respected. Many people can’t access formal assessments, and many already understand themselves deeply. You don’t need a label or formal diagnosis to deserve care, understanding, or support.

TL:DR - FAQ for Neuroaffirming Therapy

What is Neuroaffirming Therapy?

Central to neuroaffirming therapy is the belief that difference is not a deficit. Neurodivergence doesn’t exist in a vacuum - it’s shaped by trauma, identity, power, and the systems we live inside.

Can you get Neuroaffiming CBT and EMDR?

Yes, all therapies can be carried out in a neuroaffirming way - check with the therapist offering the therapy if they provide neuroaffirming CBT or EMDR.

How is Neuroaffirming Therapy Different to Other Therapy? Neuroaffirming therapy is at it's heart about slowing down, listening carefully, and recognising that safety, understanding, and support look different for different people. Humans aren’t meant to do life alone, and when therapy is shaped around the person rather than a fixed idea of how someone should be, space opens up for change that is meaningful, sustainable, and real.

How is Plum Psychology a Neuroaffirming Practice?

Being a neuroaffirming practice goes beyond the therapy room. At Plum Psycholgy we are mindful of neurodivergence throughout your whole journey with us: for example we aim to be clear and transparent about our registration processes, work collaboratively to find the best-fit clinician, and use jargon-free language in our communications. Once you start therapy we aim to keep the administrative load to a minimum by offering you the same session every week, sending session reminders by email, and using a recurring video link (if working online). Our team are keen to learn from each other about how to do this more effectively and have dedicated professional development time to do so.

What Next?

Interested in booking in therapy? Book therapy with the author of this post here, or take a look at our other therapists on this page.

Or learn more about the therapies we offer here.