Cloie Parfitt is a psychotherapist, originally from Tennessee in the United States, now living in Norwich in the UK. A former nurse, she switched to psychotherapy when she realised that she found the hospital environment and long shifts too much of a sensory challenge. 

She now works with many neurodivergent clients, and is currently undertaking a professional doctorate in counselling and psychotherapy at the University of Edinburgh, where she works collaboratively with autistic women to explore their experience of psychological trauma and trauma therapy. 

In our conversation we talk about 

➡ Her experiences of social isolation, sensory overload, burnout and depression

➡ Psychotherapy and autism

➡ Why some types of therapy don’t always work for autistic women

➡ Barriers to effective treatment, and how mental health practitioners can better mitigate these challenges.

Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes.

I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences.

I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.

EPISODE LINKS:

Cloie's website: www.diversemindstherapy.org

Her Insta: https://www.instagram.com/the_neurodivergent_therapist/ 

Samantha Craft’s list of traits: http://www.myspectrumsuite.com/samantha-crafts-autistic-traits-checklist/

VOTE FOR SQUAREPEG IN THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS

If you haven’t voted in the British Podcast Awards yet, there’s still time! I’ve been nominated for a Rising Star award for Squarepeg – and you can vote for me in the Listeners’ Choice award. Voting closes on Sunday 17 July.

It would be amazing if Squarepeg could win something, as it will help spread the word and allow more people who could benefit from it to find the podcast.

>>> If you want to vote, click here and search for ‘Squarepeg’ with no space to find the right show.