Hello, I'm Kayleigh Fearn

I am a Psychotherapist supporting children, young people and adults in Morpeth and North Shields. I specialise in working with neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD, Autism and other neurodevelopmental differences, as well as supporting parents, families and schools.

 

Supporting children and young people

 

Childhood and adolescence can have many ups and downs.  Sometimes children and young people need a safe space outside the family to process difficult experiences, emotions and thoughts, and to understand their own growing minds.

 

I work collaboratively with children and young people to helping them navigate challenges, so they feel heard, seen and empowered. Together we develop tools and strategies to support confidence, emotional regulation, and wellbeing.

 

Supporting adults

 

I also support adults who are neurodivergent, undiagnosed but are exploring their differences, or seeking clarity and support. Many adults seek therapy after being diagnosed with ADHD or Autism later in life, or because they recognise traits in themselves that have gone unacknowledged for years.

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Therapy provides a space to explore your difficulties,  manage overwhelm, and build strategies that fit how your brain works.

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Neurodiversity and My Approach

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I describe my work as specialising in neurodiversity because a significant part of my professional experience, training, and lived understanding sits within this area. This specialism is not about diagnosis or assessment. It is about how I work, who I work with most, and the therapeutic framework I bring into the room.

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What Is Neurodiversity?

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Neurodiversity is an umbrella framework that recognises neurological differences, such as Autism and ADHD, as natural variations of the human brain, rather than deficits or disorders to be fixed.

People who are neurodivergent may experience the world differently in relation to sensory processing, communication, emotional regulation, attention, executive functioning, and social interaction. These differences can bring both strengths and challenges, particularly in a world that is often designed around neurotypical expectations.

Neurodiversity is not a diagnosis. It is a way of understanding and respecting difference.

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Why I Specialise in Neurodiversity

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My practice is neuro-affirming, trauma-informed, and grounded in empathy, understanding, and respect for difference. My aim is to help clients feel safe enough to be their authentic selves and supported in building a life that works for their nervous system and needs.

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I bring together three key strands that inform this specialism:

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1) Professional experience

I have over 15 years’ experience working in education, much of that time within Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) settings. I have worked directly with autistic children and young people, those with ADHD, learning difficulties and other neurodevelopmental differences, supporting learning, emotional regulation, wellbeing, and identity development.

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Alongside my private practice, I currently work as a school counsellor across primary, secondary, and specialist provisions. My understanding of neurodivergence is therefore not just theoretical, it is grounded in daily, real-world practice.

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2) Therapeutic training and ongoing development

I am an integrative psychotherapist, with Transactional Analysis at the core of my work. 

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This model supports exploration of identity, relational patterns, emotional regulation, and internalised beliefs - areas that are particularly relevant for neurodivergent clients who may have experienced misunderstanding, masking, or chronic stress.

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I work in a trauma-informed, relational way, tailoring my approach to each individual. I undertake ongoing CPD in neurodiversity, trauma, and child and adolescent mental health.

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3) Lived experience

In addition to my professional training, I bring personal understanding and this informs how I listen, how I pace sessions, and how carefully I attend to what is spoken and what is not.

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Many clients tell me they experience our work as feeling natural, unforced, and quietly understanding. For neurodivergent clients in particular, this can create a sense of relief, of not needing to over-explain or adapt themselves in order to be met with warmth, respect, and genuine understanding.

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For those seeking a therapist who gets it on a deeper level, this can make the work feel safer, more respectful, and more authentic.

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How I Work Differently

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Because of my background in both education and psychotherapy, I naturally adapt my work to suit neurodivergent needs,

 

Including:

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Sensory-aware sessions

I aim to create a calm, predictable environment and check in about comfort around lighting, sound, eye contact, movement, and seating. Fidget tools and sensory supports are welcome.

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Flexible communication

You are not expected to “perform” in therapy. I allow time for pauses, welcome direct communication, and offer alternatives such as writing, drawing, or visual tools when words feel difficult.

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Adapted structure and pacing

Sessions are consistent but flexible. For ADHD clients, this may include visual aids, summaries, grounding breaks, or varied focus to support attention. For autistic clients, I keep transitions clear and predictable, avoiding unnecessary surprises.

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Creative and embodied approaches

Not all processing is verbal. I may integrate creative, sensory, or body-based techniques to support emotional regulation and expression.

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Strength-based focus

I actively recognise problem-solving skills, creativity, empathy, persistence, and insight, supporting identity development and self-acceptance.​​​