What's Neuroaffirming Therapy, Anyways?

What is the Social Model of Disability?

The social model of disability shifts the focus from what is "wrong" with an individual to how societal structures and attitudes create barriers. This perspective recognizes that disability is not inherently located in a person but in the interaction between a person and their environment.
 

From a therapeutic lens, this means:

• We focus on removing societal and environmental barriers rather than trying to "fix" or change the individual.

• We embrace and support neurodiversity as a natural and valuable part of human variation.

We challenge ableist attitudes, assumptions, and practices that contribute to shame or self-doubt.

How We Create an Inclusive and Affirming Space

• Neuroaffirming Practices
  Our therapy approach emphasizes understanding and working with each individual’s unique needs, strengths, and preferences. We reject pathologizing language and approaches, instead centering the lived experiences and self-knowledge of neurodiverse individuals.

• Empowering Your Voice
  You are the expert on your own experience. Therapy is a collaborative process where your insights and perspectives guide our work together.

• Addressing Internalized Ableism
  Many neurodiverse individuals struggle with internalized ableism—believing societal messages that they are "less than" or need to conform to neurotypical standards. We work to unpack and challenge these beliefs, fostering self-compassion, self-acceptance, and authentic self-expression.

• Supporting All Neurodiversities
  Whether you are autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, or navigating another form of neurodiversity, our approach is designed to meet you where you are. Our goal is to support you in thriving within environments that may not always be designed with you in mind.

• Building Inclusive Skills
  Therapy includes practical tools for navigating systems and relationships, while also advocating for systemic changes that create more equitable spaces. We aim to help you find balance between self-advocacy and self-care.

 

Our Commitment to You

At Be Well Counselling, we believe in creating a space where you can be unapologetically yourself. Through a neuroaffirming, strengths-based approach rooted in the social model of disability, we aim to support you in:

• Reducing shame and self-doubt.

• Developing self-compassion and empowerment.

• Building skills and strategies that honor your unique brain.

• Together, we’ll focus on creating possibilities for you to thrive, not by changing who you are, but by working to reshape environments and perspectives—both yours and the world’s.