Different Minds, Different Needs: Neurodiversity Through the Eyes of Our Team

When the world “works differently” – the lived experience of neurodivergence

Sometimes, in the therapy room, we hear: “Everyone says I’m overreacting… but I simply feel things differently.”
Other times, we see a child covering their ears before the noise even starts – as if their body already knows what is coming. Someone describes how conversations exhaust them, as if every sentence has to be translated into a foreign language. Or how they have felt “out of place” their entire life, even though outwardly they seemed to be coping just fine.

These are not “quirks,” personality traits, or problems that need fixing. They are often expressions of neurodivergence – a way of experiencing the world that does not fit neatly into narrow definitions of “normal,” yet can bring exceptional sensitivity, intuition, creativity, or depth of perception.

At Cicha Łąka in Piaseczno, we meet people every day whose inner worlds work differently – sometimes louder, more vivid, and more intense; sometimes more chaotic; sometimes so precise that they go beyond what is considered “typical.” We see neurodiversity not as a set of labels, but as natural variations in how people’s minds function. What matters most to us is how a person actually lives: what they manage well, what exhausts them, and what gives them strength. It is from there that we begin to look for meaningful ways to offer support. For us, neurodivergence is not just a term – it is the story of a person trying to understand themselves in a world designed for someone else.

How we accompany neurodiversity

In our work with people who have a differently wired nervous system, flexibility is essential. We adapt the pace, methods, and therapeutic space. If someone needs time to respond, we slow the dialogue down. When recognising bodily signals is difficult, we begin with simple ways of mapping their experience. Our role is to accompany a path that makes sense for the person sitting across – regardless of whether they already have a diagnosis, are still seeking one, or do not attach much importance to it – and at every stage of that journey: from discovering and exploring their unique traits, through growing into a new sense of identity, to finding ways of coping with specific challenges.

In the sections that follow, we turn to the voices of our therapists and other specialists, who work daily with adults, children, and within specific areas of mental health support where neurodiversity may come into focus. Their perspectives show how these differences appear in real therapeutic practice – not just in definitions.

Please note that while this article is available in English, not all members of our team offer support in English.

Neurodivergent adults in everyday life – being among people, emotions, and thinking

More and more adults come to us wondering whether the way they function might fall within the spectrum of neurodiversity. This question is usually rooted in everyday challenges: becoming quickly overwhelmed by noise, sudden “shutdowns” under stress, difficulty reading other people’s intentions, very detail-focused thinking, or, conversely, jumping between topics and losing the thread. Sometimes it is the result of years of feeling that others cope better or more easily.

Before moving on to interventions, we always try to look at real-life situations: how a person regulates tension, how they respond to chaos and change, under what conditions they function efficiently, and in which they lose control over their energy or emotions. This allows us to develop a shared understanding of what needs support – regardless of whether ADHD, autism, high sensitivity, or a very specific cognitive profile is involved. However, there are certain difficulties that are common to many neurodivergent individuals.

Neurodiversity in social interactions

One topic that comes up exceptionally often in the therapy room is everyday social life. The experience of supporting people for whom adapting to unspoken social rules is particularly demanding is shared by psychologist and psychotherapist Małgorzata Kwiecińska-Więcek:

Through my work with neurodivergent adults, what especially stands out to me is the tension between the desire to be oneself and navigating a world of social expectations. Many people become very skilled at learning what is considered appropriate – how to speak, how to respond, how to adapt in order to fit in – but this often comes at the cost of staying in touch with themselves. In therapy, we seek a balance that allows consideration of others’ needs and the social context, without giving up one’s own boundaries and inner coherence. My role is to support people in building relationships that are not a constant effort of pretending, but rather spaces where they can be safely and authentically present on their own terms.

MAŁGORZATA KWIECIŃSKA-WIĘCEK

Neurodivergent experiences of emotions

Another frequently discussed area is emotional regulation. Difficulties in this domain are not only related to a lack of access to well-matched strategies, but also to a specific sensitivity to stimuli, which may be misunderstood or experienced as embarrassing. How we can support those who “feel differently” is explored by Karolina Jaworska-Leszczyńska, psychologist, therapist, and crisis intervention practitioner:

In my work with neurodivergent individuals, I often encounter high levels of tension, overload, and emotional exhaustion. In the therapy room, we focus on learning to notice bodily and emotional signals, understanding where intense reactions or withdrawal come from, and finding regulation strategies that truly fit the person – rather than becoming another “should.” What matters greatly to me is normalising these experiences and building a kind, safe approach to oneself. When emotional regulation becomes more accessible, everyday life and relationships quite simply begin to feel a little easier.

KAROLINA JAWORSKA-LESZCZYŃSKA

The neurodivergent mind in thinking and action

A third important and recurring theme involves cognitive and executive functions – such as planning, time management, concentration, or managing energy levels. Support in this area is not about “fixing” non-typical patterns, but about strengthening specific skills needed in everyday life. For many people, simply understanding that their difficulties are not a lack of motivation, but part of their cognitive profile, brings significant relief and opens space for real change. Therapeutic work in this area is described by Paulina Okuniewska – psychologist, therapist, sexologist, with experience as a cognitive skills trainer:

Alongside my therapeutic work, I also run cognitive training sessions, which gives me daily insight into how often difficulties with effective thinking and task completion go hand in hand with neurodiversity. Drawing on this experience, when working therapeutically with people with ADHD, ASD, or other non-typical profiles, I naturally attune to how their mind works in everyday life – from attention and memory to processing speed and executive functions. In therapy, we focus on developing planning and organisation strategies, managing energy and concentration, breaking tasks down into smaller steps, and adapting working styles to the person’s real capacities. Much of what we do involves very practical solutions – creating daily structures, using reminder systems, or practising a more flexible approach to goals. Strengthening these skills can make everyday functioning easier and help reduce frustration and overload.

PAULINA OKUNIEWSKA

Close relationships with neurodivergent individuals: connection and co-regulation

People seeking psychological support at our centre are not only those who are neurodivergent themselves, but also their partners, family members, and others close to them. They often come with a sense of confusion, overload, or growing frustration – because despite commitment and good intentions, relationships can become challenging, and familiar ways of coping prove insufficient.

Neurodivergent individuals within relational systems: what challenges do their loved ones face?

Close relatives of neurodivergent individuals often live in a state of constant tension: they try to adapt to changing needs, regulate emotions “for both of them”, anticipate crises, or mitigate the effects of overload. At the same time, their own needs, boundaries, and fatigue tend to be pushed into the background. In therapeutic work, it therefore becomes important not only to develop a deeper understanding of neurodiversity, but also to create space for self-care and reflection on one’s role within the relationship. What such work looks like in the therapy room is discussed by Magdalena Smogorzewska – a psychologist, therapist, and psychoeducation trainer:

While working one-on-one with people close to neurodivergent individuals – partners, family members, and friends – I often encounter deep exhaustion, a sense of helplessness, and the feeling that the responsibility for sustaining the relationship rests largely on their shoulders. I support them in developing a clearer understanding of neurodivergence and in organizing their knowledge in a way that opens up new perspectives on situations that have become sources of tension. In therapy, we combine psychoeducation with exploring strategies for self-care, emotional regulation, and more effective communication, fostering an approach that honors both one’s own needs and care for the relationship. We also address the impact of misunderstanding and judgment from others, which those close to neurodivergent individuals often face alone.

MAGDALENA SMOGORZEWSKA

Children on the neurodiversity spectrum – growing up in a sensory-rich world

A particularly important group of people seeking support in the context of neurodiversity are parents of children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental differences. They often come not only with questions about their child’s functioning or behaviour, but also with a sense of disorientation and helplessness in the face of everyday challenges that fall outside typical parenting frameworks. Encountering intense emotional reactions, adaptation difficulties, or a different developmental pace often leads parents to seek external support – one that can help the whole family find their way in a world that is frequently not well adapted to their needs. A broad therapeutic perspective in working with neurodivergent children and their caregivers is shared by child and adolescent psychologist and psychotherapist Agnieszka Olszańska:

In my work with neurodivergent children and adolescents, I try to support them in navigating their inherent challenges while also recognising and valuing their strengths. I work alongside them as they build their own ways of regulating emotions and developing social skills. A careful exploration of co-occurring sensory sensitivities also helps us adjust the therapy space – through thoughtful lighting, replacing a chair with a beanbag, or removing a noisy clock. Just as important is working with parents, who are often frustrated when standard parenting approaches simply do not work.

AGNIESZKA OLSZAŃSKA

Neurodiversity in relationships – closeness despite differences

We also encounter challenges related to neurodivergence in couples therapy. At times, a couple comes in where one partner seeks a high level of stimulation, while the other becomes quickly overwhelmed; one longs for immediate closeness, while the other withdraws in order to regain balance; or one carefully plans every step, while the other acts impulsively. In such relationships, tension naturally arises from the fact that partners operate in different rhythms and experiential “languages.” Neurodiversity within a relationship can be a source of exceptional closeness and complementarity, but it can also become a space for misunderstanding, feeling unseen, or emotional loneliness. How we work with partners whose differences are particularly pronounced is described by social skills trainer, coach, mediator, and therapist Krzysztof Więcek, whose work involves supporting couples:

While working with relationships where one or both partners are neurodivergent, I often observe difficulties stemming from different communication styles or differing responses to stimuli. I focus on supporting partners in developing a mutual understanding of what lies behind each other’s behaviours, in learning constructive ways of expressing needs and boundaries, and in creating shared strategies for functioning together. I help couples bring greater clarity to their relational dynamics and everyday interactions, while taking into account each person’s individual needs – which, in turn, fosters a deeper and more secure connection.

KRZYSZTOF WIĘCEK

Neurodiversity and addiction: between relief and its costs

Our experience shows that where addiction is present, neurodiversity is often part of the picture as well – in many cases remaining unrecognized or undiagnosed. When the world becomes overwhelming, turning to substances or compulsive behaviors can offer temporary relief, but in the long run it tends to lead to even greater internal and relational difficulties. An approach based on empathetic confrontation is outlined by Tomasz Kwieciński – a psychotherapist and coach with a strong focus on supporting individuals in recovery from both chemical and behavioral addictions:

In my work with neurodivergent individuals, I often see that a close relationship with a substance or compulsive behavior is rarely a primary problem. Rather, it tends to be a secondary coping strategy – a way of managing mismatch, frustration, failure, sensory overload, loneliness, or unmet stimulation needs. During the support process, I help people explore these wounds and face them with courage, compassion, and self-acceptance, without avoiding them. Only then does space open up to discover safer ways of self-regulation.

TOMASZ KWIECIŃSKI

Collaboration with a psychiatrist as part of holistic support

At certain moments in the lives of neurodivergent individuals, pharmacological support may become helpful. Most often, it relates to co-occurring symptoms that significantly reduce quality of everyday life – such as heightened anxiety, low mood, sleep difficulties, impulsivity, or chronic overload.

Is psychiatric support necessary in neurodivergence?

We do not assume that psychiatric care is the first or default step, but rather one of several possible forms of support, always considered within the broader context of a person’s overall functioning. What matters most to us is careful differentiation of symptoms, attentive listening, and shared decision-making – so that pharmacological treatment genuinely supports the person, rather than obscuring their individual neurodivergent profile. This approach is explained in practice by psychiatrist Magdalena Skrzypek:

When I think about treatment approaches for people on the autism spectrum or with ADHD, I focus first and foremost on what specifically makes everyday life difficult for them. Stimulant medication is helpful in some cases, but it is rarely the only solution. Equally important – and potentially even more – is taking into account difficulties that are secondary to neurodivergence itself, such as depression, social anxiety, OCD, or addictions. I try to match support to individual needs, so that psychological therapy, pharmacological treatment, and the person’s environment complement one another and support overall functioning.

MAGDALENA SKRZYPEK

Cicha Łąka – a space for your neurodivergent experience

Neurodiversity holds an important place within the team at the Cicha Łąka Family Psychological Centre. It is close to us not only through our clinical work, but also, in many cases, through personal experience – related to discovering and exploring our own neurodivergent traits, building relationships with neurodivergent partners, or raising neurodivergent children.

We understand how broad the spectrum of neurodivergent experiences can be, and how often it escapes clear definitions or stereotypes. That is why, at Cicha Łąka, you will encounter understanding, acceptance, and support in finding your own steps along your unique path.

If you are looking for comprehensive psychological support – where your individual needs are recognised and met with mindful care – we invite you to our office in Piaseczno or online. You can choose the approach and the specialist that feel like the best fit for you and schedule an initial consultation.

Take a moment to see whether Cicha Łąka is the right place for you – we will take care of creating a space where you can be yourself.

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