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Autism and ADHD
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We understand what it’s like to discover or explore your neurodivergence later in life.
Prue has lived experience of being neurodivergent and is continually learning more about Autism, ADHD, and the overlap of both, often called AuDHD. This lived experience and understanding help Prue offer therapy that feels affirming, practical, and genuinely supportive.
Our space is designed with neurodiverse comfort in mind. We know that sensory environments matter, so you won’t find harsh overhead lighting here. Instead, there are lamps, plants, and calming artwork to create a sense of ease. You are welcome to take off your shoes, use a weighted blanket, or hold one of our sensory toys during sessions. Our goal is for you to feel completely comfortable to unmask and be yourself.
Understanding your experience
Many neurodivergent adults come to therapy because life feels harder than it seems for others. You might feel anxious, overwhelmed, or constantly on edge trying to stay organised or keep up with daily life. Some people arrive newly diagnosed or questioning whether they’re autistic or have ADHD. Others were misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression for years and are only now beginning to understand the reasons behind their struggles.
Therapy can help make sense of these experiences. Together, we explore what your diagnosis (or potential diagnosis) means for you and how your brain works. The goal isn’t to label or fix, but to understand, accept, and find ways of living that support your needs.
Supporting emotional energy and burnout
Many autistic and ADHD adults describe running out of energy faster than others. We help you recognise and manage emotional energy so you can prevent burnout. That might mean building recovery time after social events, learning how to notice overstimulation, or creating gentle “time out” strategies when things become too much.
We also work through experiences like decision paralysis, when the thought of making a choice feels impossible. Together we find simple, practical strategies for when you feel stuck, and we can help the people around you understand what’s happening and how to support you when it does.
Building strategies that work for your brain
For ADHD, we focus on helping you find realistic, non-judgemental ways to build motivation and structure. For example, choosing one task, setting a timer, and doing just three minutes can help you start, which is often the hardest part. There are many psychological strategies that work with, not against, the neurodivergent brain. The aim is to understand what helps your brain thrive, rather than pushing yourself beyond your natural limits.
Making sense of who you are
Everyone’s relationship with diagnosis is different. For some, receiving a neurodivergent diagnosis brings clarity and relief. For others, it doesn’t change much at all. What matters is understanding the experiences that shaped you, the ways you’ve adapted to fit into a world not built for your brain, and how those patterns continue to affect your life now.
Therapy can help you put the pieces together and find new ways of relating to yourself, your relationships, and your environment. You’ll develop a stronger sense of self-awareness and self-compassion while learning to honour your sensitivities rather than fight against them.
At Collective Hope Therapy, you are seen as a whole person, not a label. We meet you where you are, help you understand yourself more deeply, and walk beside you as you create a life that feels easier, more aligned, and authentically yours.
Prue has made the biggest difference for me....
Prue's client shares their story...
Prue creates a warm and understanding space where I feel free of any judgement. I feel understood and as if I am having a conversation with an old friend where I can just speak my mind. They speak to me as someone with a wealth of understanding of trauma, abuse, as well as autism and my ADHD.
My boss, at the time, was the first to notice a change in me. I would tell him I needed an hour break and then have my phone consult with Prue. I would come back to work and say to him that it felt like I was no longer underwater - I finally got to come up to take a breath. I told my father that after countless psychologists and psychiatrists that Prue has been the one that has shifted my perspective and made the biggest difference for me.
I would say if you want trauma-informed client-based care, while feeling like you're not being studied, Prue and Adam's place is where to go.
Prue has been a relentless advocate for me...
Prue's client shares their story...
I began seeing Prue in early 2024 via telehealth, and moved to in person sessions a few months later. We quickly formed a good client/practitioner rapport thanks to her friendly and empathetic nature. Over the 18 months that I've been her client, Prue has been invaluable in her role as a relentless advocate for all aspects of my treatment plan.
She has provided me with resources on applying for subsidised treatment and mental health care plans, which has made it possible to continue treatment even as a student experiencing financial hardship. Prue is well-equipped to treat my complex history of trauma and long-term mental illnesses which many psychologists have struggled with, providing insight into my condition and resources on different types of therapy that might help me, including EMDR.
In addition to this, she helped me through my journey of seeking an ADHD diagnosis. I have struggled with my mental health for nearly ten years and no one had even attempted to assess me, despite how important a diagnosis is for appropriate treatment. Prue was the first person to suggest that I may be neurodivergent, and advocated for me throughout my entire diagnostic journey. When my previous psychiatrist dismissed my concerns and failed to progress my treatment plan, Prue helped me to find a psychiatrist that best suited my needs, and provided detailed clinical notes of all my symptoms and potential diagnoses, which resulted in a diagnosis of ADHD, ASD & C-PTSD.
Thanks to her I am now receiving treatment that addresses my unique needs, and have been medicated for ADHD which has improved my quality of life significantly.
I would definitely recommend Prue Gilligan for anyone with a complex history and treatment needs.