Umaa Thampu: Working with Fear and Anxiety through the Lens of Neurodiversity

25 May

Greetings UKAGP Colleagues,

I would like to submit a reflection and offering on the theme of Neurodiversity and Creative Relating, based on my recent workshop, "Working with Fear and Anxiety through the Lens of Neurodiversity", which took place on Saturday 12th April 2025 at London Bridge.

The workshop was a nourishing experience, co-created with an intimate, thoughtful, and engaged group of participants. Together, we explored the emotional landscapes of fear and anxiety, common experiences for many, yet often intensified or misunderstood due to the stigma surrounding neurodivergence.

Through a series of awareness-raising exercises, we worked to shift from a place of fear to one of curiosity, connection, and deeper understanding.

Highlights of the workshop included:

Engaging with Black-owned business ADHD Traits cards as tools for developing insight and facilitating conversations with clients around their relationship to neurodiversity.
Myth-busting exercises that sparked meaningful dialogue around neurodivergent experiences.
A powerful case study shared by a trainee therapist, offering reflections on navigating complex personal and professional intersections.
A guest speaker who generously shared their lived experience as a parent to an adult child with autism, bringing a rich, grounded perspective to the group.

The feedback we received emphasised the value of experiential learning, with requests for more experimental elements and a longer format to allow space for deeper exploration and integration.

This workshop reflects my ongoing commitment to develop inclusive, creative spaces that honour the full spectrum of neurodivergent experience within Gestalt practice.

I am passionate about deepening our collective capacity to relate across differences with compassion, imagination, and integrity.

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute.

Warm regards,

Dates for client diary :

I am unavailable Tues 24th June - Back to work on 4th July 2025

Upcoming Workshops - Spring Offerings

May 17th , May 23rd, June 18th - website for more info