Meet Meg: Counsellor
In this Q&A, we talk to Beehyve Counsellor, Meg about her own late ADHD and autism diagnosis, how creativity plays a key role in her sessions, and what a truly neurodivergent-friendly counselling space looks like. She shares practical insights, the difference between coaching and counselling, and why finding the right counsellor matters.
Tell us about yourself and what drew you to counselling as a career, particularly focusing on supporting neurodivergent people.
Counselling was a decision later in life for me. I was a stay-at-home mum, which I loved, but when my marriage dissolved, I suddenly needed to become financially independent.
When I went to counselling to figure out what to do next, my counsellor was so amazing that she inspired me to choose counselling as a career. I’ve been counselling for 15 years now, and I naturally fell into working with children.
About five years ago, I started noticing I was working with a lot of neurodivergent children and seemed to get along with them really well. I was still undiagnosed myself at that stage. Then one day, while listening to a mum talk about her child’s struggles, it just dawned on me that I had ADHD. I was 52 at the time, and I felt like my whole life suddenly made sense.
I’d been sharing some of my struggles at my practice with my supervisor for quite a while. She had been suggesting I might be neurodivergent and encouraged me to get an assessment.
I kept putting it off, but then, during menopause, my symptoms became much more pronounced. Hormonal changes can make neurodivergent traits more obvious—this can happen during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause in women.
I was in menopause or possibly perimenopausal, and things felt really intense. I kept thinking, “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I do this? I used to be able to.”
So I finally went for an assessment and was diagnosed with ADHD and autistic traits.
How did getting diagnosed change things for you?
It was definitely for the better, though scary at first. I felt anxious about the assessment. I was so worried they’d say, “Nope, it’s not that,” and I’d be left wondering what was wrong with me.
When I was diagnosed, my next worry was that no one would believe me. I kept it a secret for a while and thought carefully about who to tell first.
Unfortunately, my GP didn’t respond well when I told him. That was devastating.
But when I told my children (they were around 22 and 18), it was different. My daughter said, “Well, that explains everything.” My son, who’s very similar to me, just looked at me. I could see him thinking, “Well, if you’ve got ADHD, then…”
He was the next one to get assessed. He has ADHD and is autistic as well.
How does counselling at Beehyve help people with ADHD in ways they might not expect?
The great thing about Beehyve is that many of the practitioners are neurodivergent too. We have lived experience.
It’s like a secret code—when you meet someone else who’s neurodivergent, you just click.
We recognise something in each other. It makes us feel safe and comfortable.
That helps create a strong counselling relationship right from the start.
How would you describe counselling compared to coaching?
Coaching is more structured. You come in with specific issues where ADHD is getting in the way. The coach gives you steps and strategies to manage those challenges.
Counselling goes deeper. ADHD and trauma are often linked. It’s hard to live with undiagnosed ADHD and not experience trauma.
Many people were raised by undiagnosed neurodivergent parents who had their own trauma. That creates generational trauma, which often comes up in counselling.
Counselling helps process those deeper experiences. It offers a safe space to unpack distress, look back at your history, and look forward to living as your true, authentic self.
Can you share how you use your creative background in counselling sessions?
I always use creativity in my practice. I work with children and neurodivergent people, and most of us are naturally creative.
When something is drawn or written down, you process it about 40 times more than if it’s just spoken.
Art was always my strength. I failed nearly everything at school—except art. I was disruptive, couldn’t concentrate, and often got kicked out of class.
Some forward-thinking schools let me go to the art room when I wasn’t coping.
I noticed a pattern. Every time I went through something hard, I’d pick up a paintbrush. I would paint my feelings.
Even though I’ve always struggled with emotions, I would express them through art.
That’s when I made the connection. If I were processing emotions through painting without even realising it, maybe I could use the same approach with clients.
It works because it taps into the subconscious and unconscious mind.
What are some common challenges you’re seeing people talk about with ADHD?
We’re learning more about ADHD and masking. And we’re realising our neurodivergent community has pushed themselves to the limit.
A lot of the strategies we give are really just ways to mask better. That’s not sustainable.
Our community has done the hard work. Now it’s time for the rest of the world to meet us where we’re at.
We’re not living in a neurodivergent-friendly world. We’re in a loud, busy, fast-paced, neurotypical world. And it doesn’t fit most of us.
I keep hearing things like: “The world’s too noisy. There are too many people. Too many questions. Too much talking. Too many bright lights.”
Our sensory systems are overloaded. Many people are living right on the edge of burnout or meltdown.
What do businesses and schools need to understand about neurodivergence?
Schools today aren’t built for neurodivergent students. But if they were, everyone would benefit.
We need to look at countries that use neurodivergent-friendly approaches.
In Italy, for example, kindergarten teachers are trained to spot neurodivergence early.
From there, children move into specialised primary schools that support their strengths and interests. Then they move on to intermediate and high school.
By the time they reach university, they’re skilled in their areas of hyperfocus.
That’s why Italy produces so many great artists, designers, engineers, architects, mathematicians, scientists, and philosophers.
If I could have specialised in the arts from kindergarten, my life would have been completely different.
What would you suggest as a first step for someone struggling and unsure if counselling is right for them?
There are lots of online and phone services available. Many of them are free.
Beehyve has a resource page with a list of support lines you can call. There’s no commitment—just one phone call if you need a chat.
Timing is everything when it comes to counselling. You need to set aside an hour each week and commit to it.
If you can’t do that right now, it might not be the right time. When the time is right, it’ll feel more natural, not just another stress in your schedule.
Counselling isn’t a quick fix. You need to do the work between sessions, too and apply what you learn.
You might not click with the first counsellor you meet. That’s okay.
It’s important to shop around and find someone who’s a good match.
We, as counsellors, understand that. It’s not personal. The right fit matters from the very beginning.
Note: Beehyve offers a 30-minute discovery call to work out if there’s a good fit with a counsellor or coach, with no pressure to continue.
What does a safe, supportive counselling space look like for someone who's neurodivergent?
A good counsellor doesn’t talk too much. We’re professional listeners.
If you feel like you’re being talked at, something’s off.
Conversation in counselling should feel like a game of tennis. You don’t hog the ball or smack it out of the court.
It’s a gentle back and forth. The tennis ball is the conversation, and it mostly belongs to the client.
It should move at a pace that’s comfortable for them, no matter how much the counsellor might want to speed things up.
Sometimes we do need to offer a gentle push or challenge, but it should never feel forceful.
What matters is developing a solid understanding between the client and counsellor.
As a client, you’ll know if you feel safe.
About Meg:
Meg brings depth to her practice through extensive experience supporting clients with trauma and abuse, grief, and addiction. She offers compassionate guidance through family dynamics—including work with youth and early adulthood—and supports clients during significant life transitions such as the end of relationships. Her practice includes existential exploration, helping individuals navigate questions of meaning, identity, and purpose. Meg also works with women on a range of issues, creating a space for empowerment, healing, and personal growth.
"My passion is and has always been working with neuro-diverse people. This seems to have come full circle because it wasn’t until after my children had left home, I was diagnosed with Inattentive AuDHD.”
This experience and insight helps me connect, understand, and relate to my clients.
Meg empowers people to leverage their own skills to thrive in their lives. She tailors strategies to help people manage stress, anxiety, and negative thinking patterns.
Meg comes from an arts and design background, which underpins her creative approach to supporting her clients. It wasn’t until later that she went to university to complete a BA majoring in Counselling. Now with many years of experience, Meg is a qualified and fully registered member of The New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).
If you're looking for a safe space to unmask and find support that's the right fit for you, Meg will ensure you feel welcomed and valued.
"Having fun is a direct antidote to the stress hormone cortisol. We can rewire a stressed and anxiety-ridden brain by simply learning relaxing, playful habits and strategies."