Service categories: Counselling and therapies, Information, advice and advocacy

Service URL: https://www.guyrands.com/

Secondary URL: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling/guy-rands-northwich/1641041

Hello, I'm Guy Rands, a BACP-registered Neuroaffirming Psychotherapist 👋

I offer neuroaffirming psychotherapy for autistic young people from age 12, autistic adults of any age (my oldest client is currently 87), and the parents and families who love and support them. My aim is to create a safe space where you can be seen, understood and valued as you are.

I don't begin from the idea that something needs fixing. Autism is a valid way of being. Therapy is a place to understand yourself better from the inside out, by thinking about your thinking.

My approach combines person-centred therapy and socratic questioning. Person-centred means you lead: we explore what matters to you, at your pace, and I trust that you are the expert on your own experience. Socratic questioning means I ask open, curious questions that help you notice patterns, test assumptions and reach your own insights, rather than handing you mine.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Some people come for a few sessions with a particular focus, and others prefer longer, open-ended work. We decide together and review as we go.

My first degree was in Molecular Neurobiology. Where it helps, I'll explain what's happening in the brain and body in plain language. Many people find that understanding the why behind burnout, shutdown or overwhelm brings real relief.

Sessions are clear, predictable and shaped around you. Before we meet, I'll explain what to expect. You can communicate in whatever way suits you, whether that's speaking, typing or a mix of both, with camera on or off online. I'm comfortable with silence, processing time and stimming, and I won't expect eye contact or small talk. I can send written summaries after sessions if that helps.

People often bring autistic burnout, masking, anxiety, identity, relationships, work or study, and the long-term impact of being misunderstood. Some are exploring whether they might be autistic, some are waiting for assessment, some have just been diagnosed, and some are making sense of a whole life in a new light. It is never too late to understand yourself.

With young people, I work on their terms. We agree together how parents or carers are involved, so that therapy feels like their space. I hold an enhanced DBS certificate, available on request. For parents and families, I offer space to understand the autistic person you love more deeply and to look after yourself too, without judgement.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent 25 years in education, including as a headteacher, so I know how schools and systems work and how hard they can be to navigate. I'm an associate trainer with the Autism Wellbeing Project and deliver Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training.

Listening sits at the heart of everything I do; it was the subject of my TEDx talk, which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWjpCcIs240

Sessions are available in person in Hartford, Cheshire, and online across the UK and internationally.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Adult , Parents or carers, families, adults

Referral Sources: Private Only, Yourself

Specialisms: Autism, Autism and Neurodivergent , Learning disability