Dyspraxia counselling for adults — understanding and support

Dyspraxia counselling at Hope Therapy is for adults who are living with the emotional weight of dyspraxia or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) — whether that means a formal diagnosis, a suspected one, or simply a longstanding recognition that this description fits.

The people who come to us are not usually in crisis. They are often tired: of the sustained effort of managing a neurotype in environments not built for it, of being misread by colleagues or partners, of the internalised narrative that they are simply not trying hard enough. Some have recently received a diagnosis and are processing the relief and grief that comes with it. Others have known for years and want somewhere to bring it properly, perhaps for the first time.

A diagnosis is not required to begin. The work starts with your experience — not a clinical label.

Sessions are adapted to how you work best — there is no fixed format, and nothing you need to bring prepared. If you benefit from clearer structure, your therapist can provide that. If you prefer open-ended exploration, that is available too. The aim is a therapeutic environment that does not replicate the experience of being asked to operate on neurotypical defaults.

We offer several approaches depending on what fits your situation. Person-centred counselling provides an open, non-judgemental space for the identity and self-esteem work that often forms the core of what adults with dyspraxia need. CBT is well-suited to the anxiety and avoidance patterns that develop, and can work directly with the specific thought patterns that accompany difficult situations. For adults with a significant adverse history — bullying, chronic workplace difficulty, years of damaging educational experience — EMDR may be used to address specific memories rather than simply managing the ongoing feelings around them.

Sessions are 50 minutes, available online via secure video from anywhere in the UK, or face-to-face in locations across England. The initial free consultation is 15 minutes and can be done by telephone or video — or by email if a call feels like a lot right now. That is a completely reasonable adjustment to make.

We do not carry out dyspraxia assessments or formal diagnoses — that work sits with specialist assessors. We can talk with you about what the assessment pathway involves, but our role is therapeutic support. If you are considering assessment, your GP is usually the first step for the NHS route; private assessment is also available from occupational therapists with DCD specialisation.

Sessions are confidential. There are limited circumstances where this may need to change — for example, if there is a serious risk of harm to you or others — and your therapist will explain these clearly before sessions begin.