Michael Dodden, NCPS

Michael Dodden is a UK-based counsellor, coach, and hypnotherapist who supports adults navigating ADHD, autism, chronic stress, relationship struggles, burnout, and trauma. He combines lived experience with clinical training to offer practical, neurodivergent-affirming support for people who feel overwhelmed by overthinking, masking, people-pleasing, or the sense that the world was built for someone else.

Working with Michael often focuses on managing anxiety, executive dysfunction, rejection sensitivity, low self-worth, and the emotional impacts of parenting, career change, or chronic pain. Sessions draw on tools from cognitive behavioural approaches alongside somatic and mindset strategies to help regulate the nervous system and address unhelpful patterns without rushing or pathologising the individual. He also incorporates coaching techniques and hypnotherapy where appropriate to support clearer goals and sustainable change.

Michael is a registered member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom. He brings five years of clinical counselling experience and more than fifteen years of personal development coaching to his practice, with specialist continuing professional development in neurodivergence, ADHD, autism, trauma, emotional regulation, and chronic stress.

As a late-diagnosed AuADHD man who spent many years in IT, Michael speaks from personal experience of masking, repeated burnout, and difficult periods of recovery. He creates a warm, grounded, and nonjudgmental space where people can unmask, exhale, and begin to feel more grounded, clear, and connected. Clients often say they feel seen for the first time and no longer need to perform, explain, or apologise as part of therapy.

Therapeutic approaches and online care for neurodivergent needs

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and commit to actions that build a more meaningful life, even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present; it can be especially useful for anxiety, avoidance, and values-driven change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and adjusting unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns, offering practical strategies for managing anxiety, emotional spirals, and executive dysfunction. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person in their own healing by prioritising empathy, nonjudgement, and collaboration, creating space to explore identity, relationships, and trauma in a paced, respectful way.

Finding the right approach is part of the work itself. Registered professionals and therapists often combine elements from several models to match each person’s needs, goals, and preferences. Michael works collaboratively with clients to choose and adapt techniques so therapy feels useful and manageable over time.

Online therapy offers flexibility to fit work, family, and energy levels, with options for video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity during busy periods, reduce travel time, and allow sessions to occur from settings where clients feel most comfortable, helping therapy remain accessible and consistent.