Minds Unmasked

Honouring the journey towards your authentic self.

Neurodivergent Children & Young People, Trauma & Safety, Therapeutic Insights Cloie Parfitt Neurodivergent Children & Young People, Trauma & Safety, Therapeutic Insights Cloie Parfitt

When School Hurts: Neurodivergent Children, Trauma, and the Cost of “Trying Harder”

Many neurodivergent children are praised for “trying hard,” but the effort often hides distress and masking. This article explores how school environments can harm even the most compliant children.

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View fullsize This 12-week group is a place to: 🌱 Explore identity, masking, shame, and pride 🌱 Build genuine, supportive connections 🌱 Feel understood and accepted—just as you are Led by two autistic therapists, the group offers gentle psychoeducation, r
View fullsize Trump’s recent comments about autism have been painful and harmful. They repeat myths that have long been disproven, and they dismiss the dignity and worth of autistic people. To my autistic community, and to families who may be hurting after h
View fullsize Reasons I love being a therapist: No. 472 Because my clients don’t just grow—they help me grow too. 🌿 This quote has always stayed with me: “When we sit with someone in their pain, our own pain is transformed. Their courage becomes
View fullsize ✨ New Article ✨ I’m so excited to share my new piece, Reclaiming Ourselves: Neurodivergent Healing Through Therapy and Community. In it, I explore how trauma often shows up in neurodivergent lives—not just as one-off events, but as years
View fullsize Dogs have a quiet magic. 🐾 They know when we’re fraying at the edges, when silence is the only language we have, or when all we need is a nudge of a nose and a tail thump against the sofa. Research even shows that dogs reduce stress, ease anxi
View fullsize ✨ Supporting Neurodivergent Clients at Work ✨ Creating an inclusive workplace isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about emotional wellbeing and removing barriers so everyone can thrive. In my latest article for BACP Workplace, I
View fullsize ND Life School #5: Identity, Community & Pride: Owning your neurodivergent identity is an act of self-acceptance, and finding your tribe can bring a sense of both belonging and joy. In today’s lesson, we explore why ND pride matters, how a

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