Supporting Neurodivergent Teenagers, Adults, Couples & Families to Thrive
Neil Burton
I am a Psychologist based in Onehunga, Auckland.
Over the past 30 years, I have had the privilege of working with people of all ages across Education, Mental Health, Disability and Private Practice settings. This breadth of experience has given me a deep appreciation for the many different ways people learn, grow and thrive.
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For the past 18 years, I have specialised in working with neurodivergent people. I value the individuality of each person and recognise that every therapeutic relationship is unique. At the same time, I understand the common challenges neurodivergent people often face. My work is collaborative and tailored to the needs, strengths and goals of each person.
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Neurodivergent experiences are understood and validated.
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We move at a pace that feels safe for you as we work through past traumas and experiences. Your story matters here and it is my privilege to hold space for it.
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I draw on an integrative approach to therapy, blending Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS).​​​
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Together, we may explore ways to:​
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Tune in more deeply to your own needs and relationships
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Feel safe enough to drop the mask and live more authentically
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Support your nervous system and find calm in everyday life
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Build emotional safety within yourself and in your connections with others​​
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Autism
Affirming
Therapy for Teenagers
Try as you might, organising yourself, completing work, navigating friendships, peer pressure, loneliness, managing expectations... the challenges feel endless, and overwhelming. You find ways to cope but the strategies you're using can end up causing even more distress.
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Feeling distressed in an environment which doesn't allow you to flourish does not mean there's anything wrong with you.
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Empowerment comes from valuing and embracing who you are so we won't focus on deficits. You'll not be judged and criticised or told what to do either. I'll help you manage painful emotions and understand what's causing them.
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We'll look at the bigger picture to see what you can and can't control, and explore how others might assist you. We'll develop goals, build on your strengths and sharpen the tools you need to succeed.
Couples Therapy
It’s natural for partners who experience the world differently to face extra challenges at times. Together, we’ll explore these differences and how they shape your experiences as individuals and as a couple.
By developing shared understanding of differences in communication styles, sensory needs, and emotional regulation, and by making space for the emotional impact of misunderstandings, conflict, and disconnection, couples can grow compassion for each other’s challenges and appreciation for each other’s strengths.
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In sessions, we focus on building shared understanding, improving communication, navigating differences, and developing practical strategies that work in everyday life.
Family Therapy
When one person in a family is neurodivergent, everyone is affected. Differences in communication, emotional regulation, and sensory needs can create stress and misunderstandings, even in families who care deeply about one another.
Family therapy offers a supportive space to build shared understanding, reduce conflict, and find ways of relating that work better for everyone. Rather than focusing on one person as “the problem”, therapy looks at patterns within the family and how these can shift.
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I work from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective, recognising neurodivergence as a natural variation in how people experience the world. Sessions are tailored to each family and may include parents, children, adolescents, adult family members, or partners.
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Family therapy can be helpful when relationships feel strained, communication breaks down, or family members are feeling exhausted or stuck. The aim is greater understanding, clearer communication, and relationships that feel safer and more sustainable.