“It is quite clear there is little or no help available in the UK for couples or even individuals in our situation. Some kind of regular professional counselling would be enormously valuable” (Chris Slater-Walker, ‘An Asperger Marriage’,2002)

“Now the first and only Asperger counselling model does exist “ (Barrie Thompson, MA in Counselling Therapy, 2002)

“It was a privilege for us to be able to share in the work you have done in developing your model for Asperger counselling” (Autism West Midlands, 2004).

Aims
In proposing such a model in 2002, Barrie Thompson received the following comments: “You are probably venturing into uncharted territory”- Autism West Midlands. “There is a definite gap in the market for this form of counselling”- National Autistic Society. “I’m not aware of any literature about such a counselling model”- Professor Digby Tantum.

Having developed the first model for Asperger counselling our aim is to deliver it to as many people who need it. The Mercia Asperger Support Team was founded in 2008 in light of the massive void in counselling opportunities for couples and families where Asperger Syndrome exists.

Counselling
We provide counselling for individuals, couples and families where Asperger Syndrome presents a challenge. We have a private practice in Solihull, West Midlands, but telephone counselling for the same groups of people is available if our private practice is not accessible. Please see the ‘contact us’ page for further details of these services.

Education
Awareness for people with Asperger Syndrome, their partners and families is essential. We are struck by how often clients come for counselling and know little or nothing about the disorder, even after a diagnosis has been made. Part of our counselling model is to educate our clients by increasing their awareness.

Training
The lack of awareness of Asperger Syndrome also exists within organisations. We offer training to all relevant organisations be they providers of counselling, care in the community or serving the criminal justice system. As such we have been involved in training courses for Relate, Central London Samaritans, Social Services, the Police and the Warwickshire Association of Youth Clubs, amongst others.

Connections
The Mercia Asperger Support Team has many resources at its disposal including access to a number of Asperger Diagnosticians, Support Groups for AS people and their families as well as learning Disability and Psychiatric advice should this prove necessary.