Counsellors' Staffroom

Anxiety in the Modern World: A Conversation with Joshua Fletcher
2026-05-07 13:00 - 14:00 UTC
Join us for a laid-back conversation with Joshua Fletcher, ahead of his new book Same Time Next Week, which comes out on May 14. The conversation will be hosted by Zena Nicholas, founder of The Counsellors’ Staffroom.
We’ll be chatting AI, optimisation culture and the idea of “curated calm”.
As we’ve come to expect from Josh, Same Time Next Week is an honest and grounded look at living with anxiety in the modern world.
At a time when many people are turning to AI for support before they turn to another human, the book brings things back to relationships, messiness and the parts of experience that don’t fit neatly into a prompt box.
Through the stories of four clients, alongside his own reflections, Josh explores how anxiety takes shape, what keeps it going, and how we might begin to live alongside it differently.
Having received an early copy, I can say that if you enjoyed And How Does That Make You Feel, you’ll definitly enjoy this book too. Alongside accessible psychoeducation around anxiety and OCD, it offers something more relational. It brings us back to our own humanity as therapists, that we don’t have to have everything figured out, and that this isn’t something to fear – but something that can support the work when we allow it.
It’ll be a relaxed, conversational space to hear directly from Josh about the thinking behind the book and to reflect together on what it opens up.
You’re very welcome to join us, whether you’ve read his work before or are just curious about where the conversation might go.
The book is published by Orion Publishing Co and is available to pre-order now: https://www.waterstones.com/book/same-time-next-week/joshua-fletcher/9781398713321
This event will be recorded. We’ll confirm after the event whether the recording will be shared.

Joshua Fletcher is a psychotherapist based in Manchester, UK, working primarily with anxiety disorders.
Alongside his clinical work, Josh is the author of several best-selling books on anxiety, known for making complex experiences more accessible without losing their depth. His work often bridges psychoeducation with lived experience, something that resonates strongly with both clients and therapists.
He also shares his work widely through social media, where his content on anxiety has reached a large and engaged audience, alongside his podcast Disordered.
At the centre of his work is a focus on helping people understand and live alongside anxiety in ways that feel realistic, human and sustainable.

Zena Nicholas is a counsellor and founder of The Counsellors’ Staffroom and CoPractice community.
Her work centres around creating spaces where therapists can connect, reflect and develop in ways that feel grounded, relational and sustainable. Alongside her clinical work, she curates conversations, events and communities that bring together lived experience, practice and ongoing learning. She will be hosting this conversation.

Neuro-Affirming Practice: Supporting Neurodivergent Clients
2026-07-03 10:00 - 12:00
Overview

A two-hour workshop on neuro-affirming practice and how we can better support neurodivergent clients.

Working in a neuro-affirming way can shift not only how we understand our clients, but how we understand the work itself.
This workshop explores what that can look like in practice, offering a clearer framework for recognising neuro-normative assumptions and responding more supportively to neurodivergent clients.
In this session, Louise will draw on her lived experience as a late-diagnosed autistic and multiply neurodivergent person, alongside her professional experience as a disability practitioner, therapist and supervisor specialising in supporting clients exploring their neurodivergent identity.
Together, we will explore how dominant assumptions about what is “normal” can shape therapeutic work, and how becoming more aware of these can support more meaningful, respectful and effective practice.

What we’ll cover

What we mean by neurodiversity and neurodivergence, and when to use each
Understanding neuro-normativity and the influence of social norms
What neuro-affirming practice looks like in real terms
Barriers to working in a neuro-affirming way
Why neuro-affirming practice can improve outcomes for clients

Additional information

This workshop will run for two hours via Zoom
The session will not be recorded
Handouts and resources will be shared in advance
All attendees will receive a certificate for 2 hours of CPD

Who this is for
This workshop is suitable for anyone supporting neurodivergent adults or considering working in this area.
This may include:

Counsellors and therapists
Specialist mentors
Mental health and wellbeing advisors
Coaches
Housing support staff
Education support staff

About the facilitator
Louise Lucas is a queer, multiply neurodivergent therapist, supervisor and trainer working online in private practice.
She developed the Two Spirals Model of Neurodivergent Wellbeing, a framework exploring how neurodivergent people can move away from cycles of shame and burnout towards greater understanding, compassion and sustainability in their lives.
Louise works extensively with neurodivergent adults and is the author of A Therapeutic Workbook for Supporting the Wellbeing of Neurodivergent Clients, due to be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in 2026.
Louise brings both lived and professional experience into her work, offering a thoughtful and grounded approach to supporting neurodivergent clients.
Website:
www.curiosityspot.co.uk
