INDIVIDUALS
Exploring your neurodivergent journey?
Whether you’re curious about your identity, processing a recent diagnosis, or supporting a loved one, we’re here to help. Our services include personalized coaching, mentoring, and advocacy, all aimed at fostering connection with your authentic self and ensuring you feel understood.
My work is rooted in the science of Interpersonal Neurobiology and Polyvagal theory. This framework integrates concepts like regulation, co-regulation, connection, attachment, and neuroception. It helps us reframe our understanding of behaviors and emotions, guiding us in managing them effectively, both in adults and children.
The core idea is that all humans function optimally when our nervous systems feel safe. Various experiences, whether internal or external, contribute to creating this sense of safety. By deepening our knowledge in these areas, we not only experience this safety for ourselves but also become able to provide it to others around us.
I want to clarify that I’m not a licensed clinical or educational psychologist, but I do hold a Master’s degree in Psychology and am a member of the British Psychological Society at the graduate level. I combine this academic background with a diverse range of approaches and practical experience to offer a unique, neuro-inclusive approach that emphasizes compassion and understanding.
My focus is on providing emotional support and building meaningful relationships with those I work with. This foundation allows us to make progress through gaining insight and understanding, ultimately offering practical solutions and tools to navigate challenges effectively.
Areas of Support
- Challenging behaviours in school and at home
- Anxiety issues
- Self esteem and confidence
- EBSA (Emotional Based School Avoidance)
- Emotional wellbeing and awareness
- Advocating
- Advising on paths such as seeking a diagnosis, schooling options, what happens after a diagnosis
- Parenting support and guidance
- Parent Coaching
- Family Coaching
- Child and Adolescent Coaching
- Neurodivergent Support - for those who identify as ADHD, Autistic, Dyxlexic, Dyscalculic, OCD, PTSD, Anxiety
Specific Support for Neurodivergent Individuals
Victoria’s expertise enables her to provide holistic support tailored to the unique needs of ND individuals across various age groups and environments. She is adept at supporting children, young people and adults, drawing on her lived experience as a neurodivergent individual.
With a Master’s in Psychology and Business from the University of Edinburgh, and a keen interest in neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology, Victoria has additionally trained in specific approaches that she adapts to offer in a neuro-affirming way. Having spent decades in education, including as an inclusion leader, she possesses a comprehensive understanding of neurodivergent (ND) needs. Her previous role as a management consultant in a competitive corporate setting further equips her to appreciate workplace requirements.
A coach, mentor, and advocate can support neurodivergent individuals in various ways:
Understanding and Empowerment
They seek to understand the unique strengths, challenges, and needs of neurodivergent individuals. They support self-awareness and development of strategies and accommodations that achieve empowerment for the individual in their day-to-day life. They empower neurodivergent individuals to embrace their strengths, build confidence, and advocate for themselves.
Skill
Development
They help develop specific skills and strategies tailored to the individual’s needs, such as communication, organisation, and self-regulation. Many resources exist which suggest strategies, however by working closely with a neurodiversity coach and being guided to reflect and explore you can discover your own needs and their solutions.
Navigating
Systems
They assist in navigating educational, workplace, and social systems, advocating for accommodations and support. There is no denying that most institutions and their systems are not designed with the non-typical user in mind. A coach can support in a number of ways, helping you to understand the adaptations available and supporting you in advocating for your needs.
Understanding and Empowerment
They seek to understand the unique strengths, challenges, and needs of neurodivergent individuals. They support self-awareness and development of strategies and accommodations that achieve empowerment for the individual in their day-to-day life. They empower neurodivergent individuals to embrace their strengths, build confidence, and advocate for themselves.
Skill
Development
They help develop specific skills and strategies tailored to the individual’s needs, such as communication, organisation, and self-regulation. Many resources exist which suggest strategies, however by working closely with a neurodiversity coach and being guided to reflect and explore you can discover your own needs and their solutions.
Navigating
Systems
They assist in navigating educational, workplace, and social systems, advocating for accommodations and support. There is no denying that most institutions and their systems are not designed with the non-typical user in mind. A coach can support in a number of ways, helping you to understand the adaptations available and supporting you in advocating for your needs.
Emotional
Support
They provide emotional support, validation, and encouragement, helping individuals navigate emotions and build resilience. Victoria will offer you a safe space, free from judgement and expectation to share and discuss your thoughts, feelings and experiences. She will help you to explore ways to respond to your emotions and how to better create emotional well-being.
Education
The world of education is one full of questions and challenges for everyone, if you are neurodivergent this is especially true. They will help ensure that individual students are able to function optimally in an educational environment suited to them. As a coach and mentor, she works with individuals and their support networks to increase understanding, reduce stigma, and promote acceptance and belonging. As part of this she can collaborate with other professionals, including educators and therapists, to provide comprehensive support and continuity of care.
Goal Setting and Achievement
They can explore and guide you in setting realistic goals and working towards achieving them to support personal growth and success. They can assist in setting meaningful goals, creating action plans, tracking progress, and celebrating achievements
Emotional
Support
They provide emotional support, validation, and encouragement, helping individuals navigate emotions and build resilience. Victoria will offer you a safe space, free from judgement and expectation to share and discuss your thoughts, feelings and experiences. She will help you to explore ways to respond to your emotions and how to better create emotional well-being.
Education
The world of education is one full of questions and challenges for everyone, if you are neurodivergent this is especially true. They will help ensure that individual students are able to function optimally in an educational environment suited to them. As a coach and mentor, she works with individuals and their support networks to increase understanding, reduce stigma, and promote acceptance and belonging. As part of this she can collaborate with other professionals, including educators and therapists, to provide comprehensive support and continuity of care.
Goal Setting and Achievement
They can explore and guide you in setting realistic goals and working towards achieving them to support personal growth and success. They can assist in setting meaningful goals, creating action plans, tracking progress, and celebrating achievements
Additional areas where The Diverse Mind Coach might offer you benefits
Time Management and Organisation
A coach can help you develop approaches to improve productivity and stay organised in daily life.
Social Skills and Relationships
A coach can provide guidance and support in developing social skills, fostering meaningful connections, and navigating social situations confidently.
Stress Management and Coping Strategies
A coach can teach relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, and effective coping strategies to help manage anxiety, stress, and emotional challenges. Victoria is a trained adult (YTT200) and children’s yoga teacher, with certification in “Special Yoga for Special Children” with https://www.specialyoga.co.uk/.
Career Development and Job Skills
A coach can assist with career exploration, job searching, interview preparation, workplace accommodations, and developing essential job skills for success.
Self-Advocacy and Assertiveness
A coach can help develop self-advocacy skills, assertiveness training, and effective communication strategies for expressing needs, setting boundaries, and advocating for accommodations and support.
Health and Wellness
A coach can provide guidance on healthy lifestyle habits, nutrition, exercise routines, and accessing healthcare services effectively.
By addressing these areas and providing personalised support and guidance, a coach can empower neurodivergent individuals to lead fulfilling lives, achieve their goals, and navigate challenges with confidence and resilience. Overall, a coach and mentor can play a crucial role in empowering neurodivergent individuals to thrive, succeed, and advocate for their needs in various aspects of life. With her own lived experience of 5 decades Victoria can compassionately support and provide practical solutions to help life seem less daunting and more manageable.