About
Karen van Huffel
My path to counselling has been a multifaceted journey, a collection of chapters that taught me how we truly connect. I’ve worn many hats, from running both local and remote businesses to homeschooling our children and gaining various qualifications. Counselling is where this collection of life and work finally meets, providing a unique lens to support late-diagnosed women and families navigating the intricate layers of neurodiverse dynamics.
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I know that for many women, a late-in-life diagnosis is a profound identity shift; it’s the beginning of untangling decades of trying to fit into a world not built for your nervous system. I carry a deep, lived understanding of the exhaustion that comes from years of masking, and in my practice, I offer a space to put that mask down and begin designing a life that honours your actual capacity.
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This work extends into the home, where neurodiverse dynamics often require a unique kind of emotional endurance. In my own family, we are openly neurodiverse, and we live through the reality of mismatched needs every day. I’ve learned that family harmony isn't a stroke of luck; it’s a result of deep, intentional work. Beyond just communication, it’s about navigating the fluctuating energy levels, the "big feelings," and the constant recalibration required to keep a household balanced. Real connection in these spaces doesn't happen by accident. It is built through steady patience and a commitment to showing up as we are, while uncovering the resources you already have to create a rhythm that works for your home.
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My practice integrates this lived wisdom with evidence-based practice, ensuring the support I provide is both grounded and professionally informed. I am not here to "fix" you, but to help you untangle the challenges of your environment and relationships. I believe that while this path requires significant commitment, a life of your own design, lived at your own pace, is entirely reachable. I believe in the quiet strength you already carry and the real growth that happens when you are finally met with genuine care and respect.
About
Werner van Huffel
I’ve spent many years working in ICT and studying at university, taking on a range of roles across large corporations and small businesses—some high-level, some more hands-on, and everything in between. Throughout that time, one thing remained consistent: I was often the person people came to when they needed someone to talk to, someone who would listen without judgment. Those conversations—whether around work challenges or life more broadly—was where I found real meaning. I began to realise that the moments that mattered most were always about connection, support, and making a positive difference in someone’s life.
I’m proudly neurodivergent, as are my wife and children (all ADHD and Autistic, spread to varying degrees across the spectra - for those who are curious). Our family has taken some unconventional paths, including homeschooling our children after recognising that traditional school environments—both public and private—weren’t helping them thrive. We faced systems that struggled to see the individual in front of them, and we knew we had to try something different. It wasn’t always easy, but it was right for us. Our children (and the 2 of us) are now thriving, supported by a community of friends and family who truly understand and accept them.
As a family, we’re big on shared experience—whether it’s gaming (a passion most of the kids inherited from me), cooking together, discovering new places, or even having one of our many “spirited debates” (read “loud, passionate arguments”). We argue because we care deeply, and because we all see the world in unique ways, and sometimes it is difficult to express that to others who think differently. It’s through these shared experiences—joyful, messy, and meaningful—that we’ve grown closer and learned what matters most to us.
That’s what led us—my wife and I—to study psychology together. It was a challenging, eye-opening journey, especially because we approach life from different but complementary perspectives. But we knew we wanted to turn what we had learned into something that could help others. For me, counselling is about being part of someone’s support system, connecting with them and helping them move through and toward a life they want, in the way that’s right for them. It’s a role I take seriously and with deep care.
Our Approaches
We all come to counselling with different stories, needs, and ways of making sense of the world — so it makes sense that no single approach fits everyone. That’s why we draw on a mix of evidence-based therapy styles, depending on what’s going on for you and where you're at. We’re passionate about what we do, so we continually learn, read widely, and further develop our qualifications to ensure we’re offering the best support possible. Some approaches focus on understanding patterns, others offer practical strategies for the here and now, or help clarify where you'd like to head. We blend and adapt these methods to support you in a way that feels useful, respectful, and grounded in your goals. It’s not about ticking off techniques — it’s about choosing what fits, when it fits, to support healing, growth, and meaningful change.