Spotlight on Navigating Ableism and Barriers with Jill Holly, Creative Counsellor & Supervisor

Why understanding ableism can unlock our ability to thrive

Jill Holly is a Counsellor, Supervisor, and Parent Worker based in Banbury, Oxfordshire. She is an openly Neurodivergent professional—identifying as Autistic and ADHD.

Jill is committed to creating inclusive, affirming spaces for all clients, regardless of neurotype, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality.

With a degree in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy, Jill integrates creative and expressive therapies into her work, tailoring her approach to each individual’s needs.

Her dedication to authenticity and transparency is evident in her practice and writings, where she often shares personal insights to foster understanding and connection.

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Jill writes…

I am a Counsellor/Supervisor. That implies I have my shit together and am Able.

What you may not know is that I flunked school in 1986. I got two O Levels, both C grade. Just a pass.

In 1987, I enrolled in a year-long Maths course. I flunked it again.

In 1997, I attempted counselling training—a year at University in London. I passed but was too scared to carry on. I felt too incapable, not a good enough adult. My mental health wasn’t poor, I just didn’t feel I was Academic, I felt I was pretending to Adult.

I changed my job a million times (slight exaggeration), getting bored after one or two years. Each time affirming my inability to behave like a normal adult.

In 2002, I attempted an Access course—Sociology, Biology, Psychology. Maybe Mental Health Nursing was the way to go as I liked understanding people and had worked in various public roles supporting Clients. I quit after four months because I couldn’t focus or retain enough of the Academic literature.

By 2015, having raised 3 children and divorced 2 husbands, I decided this was my last attempt at studying even if I was this wonky human albeit a palatable, valued one. Little did I know I was a high Masking ADHD Autistic soul. I chose a university because I couldn’t afford upfront fees, and our UK adult education system allowed me to get a student loan.

I scraped through assignments. I probably had the lowest grades in my cohort.

But I f#cking did it because I knew I was good at this in my heart. Tutors encouraged me not to give up, and to believe in myself.