Aphantasia-Informed Counselling in Salford, Manchester
Therapy for a mind without a projector. No mental imagery required.
Counselling That Actually Fits
If you’ve ever sat in a therapy session and been told to "picture a peaceful beach" or "imagine a version of yourself 5 years from now," only to be met with total darkness, you’re not alone.
For those of us with Aphantasia, the "mind’s eye" doesn't see images. We think in concepts, facts, feelings, and connections - not pictures. Traditional therapy is often built on the assumption that everyone can "see" their thoughts. When you can’t, it can feel like you’re doing therapy "wrong" or that your therapist just doesn't get how your brain works.
I’m Amy, and I offer Aphantasia-informed counselling. I understand that a lack of mental imagery isn't a deficit to be fixed - it’s just a different way of processing the world. I have lived experience of Aphantasia and additional training as an Aphantasia-focused therapist.
I use a person-centred approach, which means our sessions are led by you and what you need. There's no agenda, no homework, no pressure to be anywhere other than where you are right now. I offer a holistic, gender-inclusive space where we explore what is important to you. With additional training in Aphantasia, GSRD (Gender, Sex, and Relationship Diversity), and neuro-affirming practices, I ensure my clients receive care that is current, research-led, and deeply human.
What Makes This Different:
No Visual Pressure: I adjust my wording around visualisation such as "visualise" a safe place or "see" a person from your past. We work with what is there: your thoughts, your physical sensations, your concepts, and your words. We build an awareness of feelings through sensations in the body or other cues.
Concept-Based Exploration: We focus on the "felt sense" and the "knowing" rather than the "seeing." We can explore memories and emotions through vibes, narrative, spatial awareness, or descriptive language.
Adaptive Tools: I work collaboratively with you to build systems that work for you. It might be visual timers, bringing pictures to sessions, creating timelines to strengthen memories. Whatever works best for you.
Validation: Many people discover their aphantasia late in life. We can hold space for the "aha!" moment, the grief, or the frustration of living in a world that assumes everyone can see mental pictures.
What We Can Work On
Prioritising yourself, navigating boundaries and saying no
Recognising your feelings and communicating them to others
Processing a late diagnosis and building who you are now
Exploring how aphantasia impacts your memory, your planning, and your relationships.
Using non-visual techniques to process past events without the need for "reliving" them through imagery.
Understanding how your aphantasia intersects with other parts of you, like ADHD or Autism.
Navigating relationships and communication
Using non-visual techniques to process past events without the need for "reliving" them through imagery.
What to Expect
What to Expect
We have a chat, you ask any questions, and we see if we're a good fit. No pressure, no commitment.
First session
We explore what's brought you here. This is your space - there's no judgement and no expectations
Ongoing support
Weekly or fortnightly sessions. In order to make sessions as accessible as possible I offer 50 minute and 80 minute slots. We work at your pace on whatever matters most to you.
Sessions are available online via Google Meet.
Ready to Feel Understood?
Book a free discovery call and let's have a chat. No pressure, no commitment — just a conversation to see if we're the right fit.
Or email me at hello@amylasen.com
Questions You Might Have
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Sessions are £70 for 50 minutes and £100 for 80 minutes. I offer very limited concession and low cost spaces, when enquiring please let me know you are interested in these.
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Absolutely. Bring whatever helps you feel comfortable.
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No. Just like with neurodivergence, if you know your mind doesn't produce mental images, that is enough. Your lived experience is the only evidence we need.
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That's entirely up to you. I find that clients really start to feel the benefit of therapy after around 6-8 sessions. Some people come for a few months, others for longer. There's no minimum commitment, I don’t take up front block bookings.
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No. Self-identification is welcome here. You know your own experience.
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We focus on the essence of that younger self. The feelings, the needs, and the dialogue. You don't need to see a "little version of you" to advocate for their needs and heal those old wounds.
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I understand Aphantasia from the inside and have lived experience of not being able to ‘picture’ a place during a visualisation or not quite know how I feel about memories because I don’t ‘see’ them. I won't use visualisation techniques and work hard to use neuro-affirming and aphantasia affirming language to work with your brain rather than against it.
Ready?
Let’s work together.
I'm excited to potentially work with you! To schedule your initial consultation, please use the online booking form you can find here. If you have any questions before booking, please use the contact form.
PS, I know therapy is scary - you’re doing great.