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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy

@acoratherapy.bsky.social

130 followers 160 following 180 posts

NEWISH HERE Psychotherapist,Trainer, MIACP LGBTQ+ & Kink Affirmative ND Affirmative Therapy & Training Queer, ND & Older Overwhelmed Parent Anti-Oppression Always Writing a book… ADHD style #AuDHD #ActuallyAutistic #ActuallyADHD #Dyspraxic #speirgorm

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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · Apr 12

I’m a neurodivergent psychotherapist & counselor who specialises in neuroaffirmative therapy. I train other therapists & work with ND clients online. I was involved in writing The IACP Guidelines for Working with Autistic Adults in Therapy.
#mentalhealth #neurodivergent

iacp.ie/files/UserFi...

iacp.ie

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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 6d

We’re burning out from being human in an inhuman system.
We’re not falling, the world is.

Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 7d

Trauma

Reposted by Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy

Joe O'Hara @joeoharadcu.bsky.social · 8d

When life imitates art

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Reposted by Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy

(Dr) Rena Maguire @justrena.bsky.social · 9d

If you want the best laughs today, read #SmeartheBejaysis tag.
( context for non-Irish folks: A ghastly politicians said his tactics to destroy socialist Catherine Connolly's presidential campaign would be to 'smear the bejaysis out of her- you'll see how people approach mockery here )

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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 8d

Im not quite sure but I do know there had to be a “y” in there!

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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 9d

Neurodivergent burnout is trauma.

Let that land.

The quiet, cumulative kind
born from an environment, a world, a system, a society that asks more than a person can give.

That expects us to mask to feel included.

#Neurodiversity #ADHD #Autism #TraumaInformed #ADHDawarenessmonth

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Reposted by Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy

Connolly for President @catherinegalway.bsky.social · 12d

"Unpaid carers are predominantly women, which might go some way to explaining why their contributions are ignored." Catherine Connolly speaking out following yesterday's budget on the continuation of the means test for carers, and the unfulfilled promise of a cost of disability payment.

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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 11d

October isn’t just about darker evenings & woolly hats.

For many ND nervous systems, the change in light, routine & sensory input hits hard.

More fatigue. Mood dips.
Sensory overwhelm.
Dopamine dances.

If you’re feeling off right now, it’s not in your head. Your body is adjusting.
#Neurodiversity

Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 12d

Neurodiversity isn’t new.
What’s new is that we’re finally talking about it.

ADHD, dyslexia, autism, dyspraxia, PDA, DID, Tourette’s, sensory profiles…have always been part of the story.

The difference now is language, visibility & community.

#Neurodiversity #Psychotherapy #ADHDAwarenessMonth

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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 12d

For starters reflection, accountability, flexibility, self-awareness.

It helps to understand ableism, bias and privilege too.

You can’t have non inclusive, rigid systems and then claim to be neuro-affirmative!

Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 12d

Neuro-affirming practice is everywhere now.

It’s a great start.
But if it stays at the level of buzzwords, checklists, and slogans, we risk creating the appearance of inclusion without the substance.

What’s the neurodivergent version of pink washing?

Real inclusion demands more…

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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 14d

Human brains are gloriously varied. Imagine a world where they’re not!
The systems we’ve built for our wonderful brains… not so much.

Instead of embracing difference, we often try to excuse, justify, cure or eradicate.

That’s dangerous.

Without diversity, what would we become?

#Neurodiversity

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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 15d

October’s a great month for reflection.

Therapists, how does your own neurotype show up in the therapy room?
Whose communication styles feel easy to you and why?
What assumptions do you already have?

Neurodiversity work starts with awareness, not toolkits.

#Therapy #Neurodiversity #Psychotherapy

Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 16d

Neurodiversity is NOT “we’re all a little bit…”
Neurodiversity is NOT a new fad.
Neurodiversity is NOT one size fits all.

Neurodiversity IS the fact that brains come in many flavours.

Society was made for vanilla.
Some of us are pistachio, rum raisin or chilli chocolate.
#Neurodiversity #inclusion

Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 16d

I’m delighted to be presenting at the EAIP Biennial Conference, talking about:

Anti-Oppressive Practice with Neurodivergent Clients: Beyond Affirmation to Accountability
(Opening the Door to Real Inclusion in Integrative Psychotherapy)

I can’t wait!

👉 Book here www.eventbrite.ie/e/eaip-bienn...

EAIP Biennial Conference

We invite you to the 12th Conference of the European Association for Integrative Psychotherapy, hosted by IAPTP, 10 -12 October '25

www.eventbrite.ie

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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 16d

Late diagnosis isn’t rare. It’s just rarely talked about. It’s often seen as jumping on a bandwagon but some of us are finally getting the medical model to catch up with our lived experience.

#Neurodiversity #LateDiagnosis #ADHD #Autism #Psychotherapy

Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 16d

I’ve met people diagnosed in their 50s, 60s, even 70s. A lifetime of “coping” suddenly makes sense. The unmasking, unpacking and identity journey can feel mammoth.

There’s grief, relief, rage, understanding and often a spark of finally seeing themselves clearly. The paradox!

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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 16d

We talk a lot about neurodiversity in kids, many of us assume to know about autism or ADHD but through a child’s experience.

What about the generations who grew up without language for it? I was 40 when I was diagnosed AuDHD. I walked out of that appointment crying every emotion I could ever feel.

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Reposted by Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy

Hapexamandios - Ian C @hapexamandios.bsky.social · 17d

I think the below is one of the most succinct descriptions of what it is to be neuro divergent.

In times of increasing attacks from bad faith ideologues against anything that threatens any attempt at greater inclusivity & acceptance, concise, clear messaging is a must.

Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 17d

Neurodiversity isn’t a trend, a diagnosis, or a club.

It’s the reality that human brains are naturally varied, in how we are, sense, process, connect, learn & regulate.

The question isn’t if or why neurodiversity exists. It’s whether systems, politics, schools & workplaces are willing to catch up.

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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 17d

Still one of my favourite albums!

Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 17d

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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 18d

My favourite month, October!

A whole month of spookiness and neurodiversity chats: ADHD, dyslexia, masking, inclusion… basically, my natural habitat.

My AuDHD mind is going to be rambling away… so be warned!
#Neurodiversity #psychotherapist #ADHDAwarenessMonth #DyslexiaAwarenessMonth

For Sale Page

away.so

Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 19d

This year, don’t just prepare for dark evenings.
Prepare for unpredictability.

Our mental health depends on more than daylight, it depends on rhythm, ritual & connection.

How will you ground yourself as the autumn rolls by with winter on the horizon?

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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 19d

We can’t stop the seasons from shifting but we can adapt.

Individually through light & ritual.
Collectively through community, climate action & compassion.

Seasonal Affective Disorder isn’t just personal when climate instability is considered, it’s cultural now.

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Gillian Fagan, AcoraTherapy @acoratherapy.bsky.social · 20d

Climate change doesn’t cause Seasonal Affective Disorder.

But it destabilises the environmental rhythms that we relied on for centuries.

The result? A longer, less predictable, sometimes more intense SAD season.

This along with Eco Anxiety can be quite challenging.