Hi, I’m Heather Parks,
I’m a wife and a mother in a neurodiverse family of six, all with very different needs and ways of experiencing the world.
We muddle along together pretty well these days which is honestly pretty miraculous given how painfully messy, confusing and exhausting it was before.
Back then, I was driven by desperation and the need to survive as a family despite feeling increasingly lonely, resentful and unwell. Eventually I realised the need to look after myself and with no idea how, I started to search for help.
I came across some information about the protective states of the nervous system which seemed to explain exactly what was going on in my family, including me.
I had to know more and since that moment I’ve been continuously learning and training. Therapeutic Coaching allows me to integrate all that I’ve learned and in turn, support others who are navigating similar terrain.
Along the way, I've learned from inspiring mentors, from my family, and from the women I've worked with over more than a decade.
“Heather’s calm, kind, honest and thoughtful approach made me feel seen and understood, while also gently challenging and inspiring me to take many tiny steps that added up to massive change in my life.”
- Cheryle -
“Her guidance helped me feel less alone and more able to meet life with grace, self-respect and greater confidence in my own experience.”
- Joan -
“I began to believe that I had the ability to change my experience. I did not need my partner to change.”
- Anne -
My experience and training
I've been supporting women navigating neurodiverse relationships and family life for over ten years; first as a family support practitioner in my local community, and then as a coach working internationally.
I co-hosted Loving Difference for six years, an online community and coaching space for women in neurodiverse relationships and co-hosted the Myth Busting Neurodiverse Relationships podcast. I'm also a member of an international group of coaches and therapists working to shift the paradigm around how neurodiverse relationships are understood and supported.
My training is rooted in therapeutic, somatic and nervous system approaches including work with some of the leading voices in these fields. Both my Therapeutic Coaching and Body Orientated Coaching Certifications are ICF approved, and I hold membership with the International Coaching Federation.
I have regular supervision and an ongoing programme of professional development.
My training and professional development includes:
Therapeutic Coaching with the Therapeutic Coaching organisation, directed by Alex Howard and Anna Duschinsky
Body Orientated Coaching with The Somatic School
Integrative Somatic Parts Work with Frances D. Booth
Polyvagal and Nervous System Training, including work with Deb Dana, Irene Lyon and Stephen Porges
Nonviolent Communication and Mindful Communication training with Oren Jay Sofer, including Wise Speech and Say What You Mean
Coaches Rising trainings including Neuroscience of Change, The Power of Embodied Transformation and Unfolding Change
Nervous system informed parenting approaches, including the work of Mona Delahooke and Holly Bridges
Both my Therapeutic Coaching and Body Orientated Coaching Certifications are ICF approved programmes and I am a member of the International Coaching Federation.
