About
Is Neurokindred for me?
The Neurokindred therapeutic journey is for those who are at a place in their life where they are sitting in the space post-identification, reflecting on what happens next and what could have been.
The Neurokindred journey requires participants to be willing and open to self-exploration and, at times, be uncomfortable, with the purpose of growing through this experience. You will be supported to explore your Autistic identity, delve deep into your self-knowledge, understanding, and acceptance.
Through a developed therapeutic alliance, we will step through re-narrating the story of your life through a lens of self-compassion. Let’s learn to sit with the pain of buried traumas from being different, from being misunderstood, from being mislabeled, and unheard.
As a therapist, I am your co-traveler, witnessing and supporting this exploratory journey, helping you to embrace the wholeness and diversity of who you are.
The therapeutic journey is unique to every individual and a very personal experience. Being attuned with your therapist is vitally important, much like finding harmony in a musical duet.
In understanding this, please see the information regarding our ‘Toe in the Water’ subsidised first session.
About me
Welcome Neurokin! I’m Linda Tuxford-Adams, an integrative counsellor & educator with a rich background in psychology, education, and counselling. I am a late-identified AuDHDer (Autism + ADHD) with C-PTSD and I am passionate about providing accessible, affordable and affirming support for late-identified Autistic adults. I founded Neurokindred, an online counselling and peer support service tailored for Autistic adults, in 2022.
I hold Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology (Hons) and Education, and I’m currently pursuing Masters in Counselling & Psychotherapy and a Masters in Autism. I am a Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) Certified Practicing Counsellor.
My therapeutic approach is deeply rooted in honoring and working with your unique neurodivergent neurology and nervous system. I believe in rediscovering authentic ways of being and reconnecting with lost parts of self and the body. The working relationship in counselling is the perfect space to do this.
Furthermore, there is something inherently healing about connecting with neurokin. Seeing and feeling your experience reflected in another, being heard, receiving validation, and experiencing shared understanding-these are unique and precious gifts after a lifetime of mis-attunement. I am here to hold space for you and hear your story, your way.
I am exploring these paths in my own journey and would be honoured to walk alongside you as you explore them too.
Therapeutic Modalities: I draw from an eclectic toolbox of modalities adapted to support each Autistics’ individual needs. These encompass Autism, ADHD, and trauma psychoeducation, parts work, family of origin, sensorimotor practice, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, systems theory, experiential processwork, therapeutic art, bibliotherapy, storytelling therapy and writing therapy.
Things that ‘make my brain dance’: Psychotherapy learnings, all things Autism, World of Warcraft (mage, herbology, and battle pets), drumming, art journaling and multi-media sculpture.
Lived experience: I have the honor and privilege of being a parent of two, navigating the beautiful complexities of raising neurodivergent young people. With a diverse background in specialized education and Autistic mental health settings, protective behaviors, research, group facilitation, peer support coordination, writing and counselling combined with the lived experience of being multiply neurodivergent, married to a neurodivergent and neurodivergent parenting, I bring a wealth of experience to every session.
Join me on this journey of self-discovery, healing, and embracing the unique tapestry of your neurodivergent neurology.
Creating a life of neurodivergent thriving is our gift to ourselves – it’s time.
Themes that tend to emerge from the neurodivergent experience and are specific areas of interest for me include:
• Confusion about identity and the core self
• Interpersonal boundary management
• Unique intersectional experiences of AuDHD
• Rejection sensitive dysphoria
• Intersectional effects on the lived experience of adult, autistic perceived female at birth
• The Neurodiversity Paradigm and Theories of Autistic ways of being that are reflective of lived experience including Monotropism, Double Empathy Problem, Poly-Vagal Theory, Monotropic Split, Intense World Theory, Predictive Coding Theory, Autistic pragmatic language hypothesis, Spoon Theory, Tendril Theory and Social Identity Theory.
• Feeling disconnected from feelings and the body
• Unknown triggers and dysregulation
• Sensory seeking and sensitivities
• Acceptance and adaptability around the of the nature of spiky skill sets
• Differences in neuroception, interoception and proprioception including dissociation, alexithymia
• Life in the tails of the bell-curve-Aphantasia and Hyperphantasia, Alexithymia and Hyper-empathy, Complex sensory experiences
• Perfectionism and expectation management
• Neurodivergence and addiction
• Inner critic on steroids- internalized hyperactivity
• Blocks accessing self-compassion
• Intrusive internal thoughts and punishing narratives and neurodivergent expressions of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, C-PTSD and OCD.
• Examining the survival intelligence of masking and creating safe spaces and relationships for unmasking
• Cycles of Autistic burnout including The Boom-or-Bust Cycle, Meerkat Mode, Burnout-Psychosis Cycle
• Understanding and exploring nervous system dysregulation, shutdown and meltdown
• Autistic sexuality and touch
• Trauma processing and reframing of past experiences of mis-attunement, misinterpretation, misdiagnosis and victimization.
• Attachment in Autistic adults
Education
- Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy Jan 2023-Present
Australian College of Applied Professions, Brisbane, QLD - Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies May 2023-Present
Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD - Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) Jan 2012-Dec 2013
Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD - Bachelor of Arts-Psychology Jan 2002-Dec 2005
Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD - Bachelor of Education Jan 2000-Dec 2005
Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD - Certificate III in Child Care and Education Aug 1998-Aug 1999
TAFE Queensland, Brisbane, QLD - Diploma in Christian Ministry Jan 1994-Dec 1995
Word of Faith Bible College, Gold Coast, QLD
- Trauma-informed Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy for Clients with Autism & ADHD: Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist Certification (ASDCS)
- ADHD Clinical Services Provider Certification (ADHD-CCSP)
- Complex Trauma Certification (CCTP/CCTPII)
- Professional Certificate in Autistic Wellbeing-Reframing Autism
- Trauma Geek-Nervous System Study Program
- Autistic Burnout-Viv Dawes Autistic Advocate
- The Interoception Curriculum-Kelly Mahler
- iN Tune with PDA -iNTune Pathways-Kristy Forbes
- Neuro-affirming Social Skills-Reframing Autism
- Acceptance Commitment Therapy-Psychwire
- Emotionally Focused Therapy: Attachment-based interventions
- IFS Immersion: Integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) Across Clinical Applications
- Diploma in Art Therapy – Health Harmony
- Bibliotherapy 101- Emily Rumble
- Case Notes and Record Keeping in Therapy-eiseEducation
- Reclamation as a Clinical Intervention for Religious Trauma-Reclamation Collective
- Treating Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents-Lindsay Gibson
- Integrative Sex and Couples Certification Training- Tammy Nelson
- HeartMath® Certification
- Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath® Certification
- Neurofeedback in Clinical Practice (BCIA-A)
- NDIS Support Coordination Course-The Growing Space
- Working with Teens-Australian College of Applied Professions
- Trauma-Informed Certificate for Coaches-The Centre for Healing
- PEERS Certification-Definition Diverse
- Mental Health First Aid Certification-MHFAA
- Legal and risk management requirements of new business-AOT
- QC Foster Care Training-Dept of Child Safety
- Issues in Professional Psychology-Griffith University
- Graduate Certificate in TESOL-Asian EFL Journal
- Learning with the Brain in Mind-Focus Education Australia
- Diploma of Management-Collins Food International