English speaking therapy for expats around the world, with face-to-face or outdoor options if you're based in Stockholm, Sweden

I specialise in working with adults and young people with ADHD or autism, mixed culture issues, or difficulties arising from gender, sexual or relationship diversity

I will give you a safe and confidential space to explore your difficulties, at your own pace, in your own time, and using English language

Services available

— 01

One-to-one,
remote therapy

I have full training and extensive experience in video, audio, and SMS therapy, as well as through email for those who may prefer no interruptions, or who struggle with regular time commitments.

— 02

In-person therapy, indoors and outdoors

For those living in Stockholm, Sweden, I offer sessions from a cosy confidential therapy cabin, or outdoor counselling (also known as walk and talk), where we sit or walk in a local nature spot.

Non-walking babies are welcome to attend your session with you.

— 03

Consultancy

I offer consultancy to teachers, carers and parents, around how to support young neurodivergent people at home or in the school environment (e.g. ADHD, PDA, autism).

This is for those that feel they are ‘out of ideas’, or that ‘traditional’ (aka neurotypical) parenting or teaching strategies aren’t working.

Remote sessions available wherever you are; or if you’re in Stockholm, we can book in an in-person session.

I’m Nina

I am a native English-speaking therapist working remotely with expats all over the world, and in-person with clients in Stockholm, Sweden. 

I am a UK-accredited Gestalt therapist with 30 years’ experience in the fields of mental health and psychology, and working as a therapist since 2010. I work creatively, using whatever helps you to understand yourself or your situation better. 

Although therapy is often available via public health routes, unlike private therapy, it can be a long wait, and it may not cater to your individual needs – such as type of therapy, specialisms, being able to work fluently in English, or the number of sessions offered. I am here to support you if you would prefer greater choice over how, and with whom, you undertake therapy sessions.

Nina Shah BSc Psychology (Hons), Gestalt Counsellor Dip. MBACP (Accred.), Reiki Master Level 3

Latest Blog Posts

See my latest posts here. You can find all my posts by visiting my blog page directly.

Kids climbing

Supporting your ND kids and young people

Living in a neurodivergent family can be tough, especially in a world that is not ...
Read More →
Womanhood 2

Women’s Embodiment – the felt sense of womanhood

I identify as she/her, and I’ve always shared this openly across my platforms. I recently ...
Read More →
IMG 20250819 114322 764

Living with a late diagnosis: neurodivergence

Throughout your life you’ve felt like you don’t quite know how to be an adult, ...
Read More →
Night and day 2

Yin and yang – the value of integration

I will not shy away from the difficult, the contentious, the painful. I will not ...
Read More →

Follow me on Instagram

3 0
I just came across the word 'hen' in my intensive Swedish course, and it reminded me of something my daughter told me when she was about six.

In her Swedish primary school, she learned that Swedish has three pronoun sets:

✨ hon/henne (she/her)
✨ han/honom (he/him)
✨ hen/henom (they/them - singular, gender-neutral)

That last one - hen - really stuck with me.

Originally, Swedish used de/dem (they/them) as a gender-neutral option, just like in English. But over time, it became clear that this didn’t reflect everyone’s identity - especially for those who don’t identify with any gender at all.

The word 'hen' was actually proposed way back in the 1960s by linguist Rolf Dunås, but it wasn’t taken seriously until the 2000s, when it was embraced by feminist, queer, and academic communities.

It was used to:

🌎 Avoid unnecessary gendering
🌎 Acknowledge non-binary and trans identities
🌎 Challenge binary norms in language

Hen sparked national debate in 2012 after appearing in a children’s book, Kivi och Monsterhund. Some criticised it as 'political correctness', while others saw it as a natural and needed evolution in how we use language to include everyone.

In 2015, hen was officially added to the Swedish language.

Today in Sweden, non-binary people can choose the pronouns that best reflect their identity:

☯️ de/dem - plural form (inclusive of all genders)
☯️ hen/henom - singular form (for those who identify with none)

I find this both thoughtful and progressive, a powerful example of how language can evolve to reflect identity. 🌱

💡 What are your thoughts on gender-neutral language, especially in your own culture or language?

I’d love to hear. 

#GenderNeutralLanguage #InclusiveLanguage #LanguageEvolution #NonBinaryVisibility #LinguisticDiversity #LGBTQInclusion #CulturalAwareness #SwedishLanguage #ProgressiveEducation #DEI

I just came across the word `hen` in my intensive Swedish course, and it reminded me of something my daughter told me when she was about six.

In her Swedish primary school, she learned that Swedish has three pronoun sets:

✨ hon/henne (she/her)
✨ han/honom (he/him)
✨ hen/henom (they/them - singular, gender-neutral)

That last one - hen - really stuck with me.

Originally, Swedish used de/dem (they/them) as a gender-neutral option, just like in English. But over time, it became clear that this didn’t reflect everyone’s identity - especially for those who don’t identify with any gender at all.

The word `hen` was actually proposed way back in the 1960s by linguist Rolf Dunås, but it wasn’t taken seriously until the 2000s, when it was embraced by feminist, queer, and academic communities.

It was used to:

🌎 Avoid unnecessary gendering
🌎 Acknowledge non-binary and trans identities
🌎 Challenge binary norms in language

Hen sparked national debate in 2012 after appearing in a children’s book, Kivi och Monsterhund. Some criticised it as `political correctness`, while others saw it as a natural and needed evolution in how we use language to include everyone.

In 2015, hen was officially added to the Swedish language.

Today in Sweden, non-binary people can choose the pronouns that best reflect their identity:

☯️ de/dem - plural form (inclusive of all genders)
☯️ hen/henom - singular form (for those who identify with none)

I find this both thoughtful and progressive, a powerful example of how language can evolve to reflect identity. 🌱

💡 What are your thoughts on gender-neutral language, especially in your own culture or language?

I’d love to hear.

#GenderNeutralLanguage #InclusiveLanguage #LanguageEvolution #NonBinaryVisibility #LinguisticDiversity #LGBTQInclusion #CulturalAwareness #SwedishLanguage #ProgressiveEducation #DEI
...

3 0
What do you make of this?

📚 [Image: A row of books titled Ferns. Text reads: “Everyone in the past was neurotypical, which is how we got things like this single-author, eight-volume encyclopaedia of ferns.”]

It’s interesting how certain deep interests, once seen as signs of intellect or endearing eccentricity, now often face more scrutiny or judgment.

A bit of humour here, but also a gentle prompt to reflect on how we view neurodivergence, productivity, and passion in today’s world.

#Neurodiversity #NeurodivergentThinking #DifferentBrainsDifferentStrengths #InclusionMatters #PDA #NeurodivergentVoices #WorkplaceInclusion #neurodivergence

What do you make of this?

📚 [Image: A row of books titled Ferns. Text reads: “Everyone in the past was neurotypical, which is how we got things like this single-author, eight-volume encyclopaedia of ferns.”]

It’s interesting how certain deep interests, once seen as signs of intellect or endearing eccentricity, now often face more scrutiny or judgment.

A bit of humour here, but also a gentle prompt to reflect on how we view neurodivergence, productivity, and passion in today’s world.

#Neurodiversity #NeurodivergentThinking #DifferentBrainsDifferentStrengths #InclusionMatters #PDA #NeurodivergentVoices #WorkplaceInclusion #neurodivergence
...

2 0
Does anyone else find the music in TV shows and movies more overwhelming than the actual visuals? 😵‍💫🔊

I’ve realised that the added sounds - dramatic music, jumpy suspense beats, sudden loud cues - can often feel like too much for me. Even now, as an adult, I still cover my ears (and eyes) during the most intense scenes.

My kids are the same. When we watch something like Wednesday on Netflix, we sometimes have to mute the sound and just read the subtitles. It’s the only way they can actually enjoy the shows they love, because the additional tension sounds aren't just scary, they're overstimulating. We all want to hear the dialogue, just not the extra stuff… but right now there’s no way to separate the two.

And it’s not just horror or thrillers, even the news and kids' shows have become more intense and overproduced. For those of us who experience sensory overload, this kind of constant tension in audio isn’t just annoying, it can be physically stressful and emotionally exhausting. Not quite the experience we're seeking on a Friday night chilling together! 

💡 I’ve so often wished there was a way to turn off the intense background music and suspenseful sound effects, but keep things like dialogue and natural sounds (like doors opening, birds chirping, etc.). 

Just like subtitles make content more accessible for some, I really believe adjustable audio could help so many people, especially neurodivergent kids and adults.

✨ Curious - does anyone else feel like this?
✨ Would a low-sensory audio option help you or someone in your family?

Let’s talk about it 👇

#Neurodiversity #SensoryOverload #AutisticVoices #AccessibleMedia #InclusiveDesign #Netflix #Wednesday #MediaMatters #NeurodivergentCommunity #adhd #audhd

Does anyone else find the music in TV shows and movies more overwhelming than the actual visuals? 😵‍💫🔊

I’ve realised that the added sounds - dramatic music, jumpy suspense beats, sudden loud cues - can often feel like too much for me. Even now, as an adult, I still cover my ears (and eyes) during the most intense scenes.

My kids are the same. When we watch something like Wednesday on Netflix, we sometimes have to mute the sound and just read the subtitles. It’s the only way they can actually enjoy the shows they love, because the additional tension sounds aren`t just scary, they`re overstimulating. We all want to hear the dialogue, just not the extra stuff… but right now there’s no way to separate the two.

And it’s not just horror or thrillers, even the news and kids` shows have become more intense and overproduced. For those of us who experience sensory overload, this kind of constant tension in audio isn’t just annoying, it can be physically stressful and emotionally exhausting. Not quite the experience we`re seeking on a Friday night chilling together!

💡 I’ve so often wished there was a way to turn off the intense background music and suspenseful sound effects, but keep things like dialogue and natural sounds (like doors opening, birds chirping, etc.).

Just like subtitles make content more accessible for some, I really believe adjustable audio could help so many people, especially neurodivergent kids and adults.

✨ Curious - does anyone else feel like this?
✨ Would a low-sensory audio option help you or someone in your family?

Let’s talk about it 👇

#Neurodiversity #SensoryOverload #AutisticVoices #AccessibleMedia #InclusiveDesign #Netflix #Wednesday #MediaMatters #NeurodivergentCommunity #adhd #audhd
...

0 0
Some psychologists have suggested that ADHD is purely a trauma reaction. My instincts - based on reading and personal/lived experience is that the two can be linked, but that trauma doesn't cause ADHD. 

It is virtually impossible to walk this life as an ADHDer or indeed any neurodivergent person - in Western culture at least - and not experience trauma due to: 

👀 Others' lack of awareness and understanding
😡 Others' ignorant criticisms
💥 Public spaces that don't support our nervous systems, but rather trigger dysregulation, and our fight or flight reactions

I am open to debate, of course, so let me know your thoughts?

#adhd #autism #neurodivergent #neurodiverse #neurodivergenttherapist #audhd #westernculture #trauma #addictions #selfmedication #selfregulation

Some psychologists have suggested that ADHD is purely a trauma reaction. My instincts - based on reading and personal/lived experience is that the two can be linked, but that trauma doesn`t cause ADHD.

It is virtually impossible to walk this life as an ADHDer or indeed any neurodivergent person - in Western culture at least - and not experience trauma due to:

👀 Others` lack of awareness and understanding
😡 Others` ignorant criticisms
💥 Public spaces that don`t support our nervous systems, but rather trigger dysregulation, and our fight or flight reactions

I am open to debate, of course, so let me know your thoughts?

#adhd #autism #neurodivergent #neurodiverse #neurodivergenttherapist #audhd #westernculture #trauma #addictions #selfmedication #selfregulation
...

2 0
ChatGPT! What do you think about it? Do you notice which articles and posts are written using it, and how do they impact you?

#ai #chatgpt #adhd #autism #audhd #neurodivergent #patterns #pattern #patternspotting #editing #proofreading

ChatGPT! What do you think about it? Do you notice which articles and posts are written using it, and how do they impact you?

#ai #chatgpt #adhd #autism #audhd #neurodivergent #patterns #pattern #patternspotting #editing #proofreading
...

1 0
More tea wisdom! 

#tea #cuppa #englishtherapistinstockholm #englishtherapist

More tea wisdom!

#tea #cuppa #englishtherapistinstockholm #englishtherapist
...

1 0