Minds Unmasked

Honouring the journey towards your authentic self.

Autistic Lived Experience, Autistic Identity, Mental Health & Wellbeing Cloie Parfitt Autistic Lived Experience, Autistic Identity, Mental Health & Wellbeing Cloie Parfitt

The Autistic Need for Purpose in a World That Often Feels Meaningless

Many autistic people describe a deep need for purpose — not as productivity, but as meaning, connection, and feeling anchored in a world that can often feel overwhelming or hollow. This piece explores why purpose matters so profoundly, and how authenticity, values, and belonging shape the autistic experience.

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Autistic Lived Experience, Identity & Self‑Understanding, Therapeutic Insights Cloie Parfitt Autistic Lived Experience, Identity & Self‑Understanding, Therapeutic Insights Cloie Parfitt

Existential Grief and the Late-Diagnosed Autistic Experience

Many late‑diagnosed autistic adults experience a deep, complex grief as they begin to understand their lives through a new lens. This article explores the emotional impact of missed recognition, lost years, and the profound relief and sadness that come with finally knowing yourself.

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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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