Affirming Mind & Body

Life feels different when you have the right tools to navigate it.

When life feels like a constant uphill climb, it's often because the world around you isn't set up to work with your brain. I help neurodivergent adults and families cut through the noise, building practical strategies, clear goals, and the confidence to advocate for the life you deserve.

Whether you've just received an ADHD diagnosis in NZ, or you've been navigating neurodivergent life for years without the right support, I'm here to help you move forward.

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How I can support you

Neuro-affirming Coaching

Practical strategies and strengths-based coaching to help you move from surviving to thriving.

ADHD looks different for everyone. ADHD in girls and women is particularly under-recognised across all ages and life stages.

Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been seeking answers for a long time, coaching can help you turn that understanding into real, lasting change.
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Together, we can work on:
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Goal Setting & Action Planning
We'll translate your hopes into a clear, step-by-step roadmap.
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Executive Function Support
Building flexible workflows that respect your energy levels and the way your brain actually works.
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Energy Accounting
Identifying what drains you and what sustains you, so we can design your days to prevent burnout before it happens.
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Self-Advocacy & Communication
Developing the language and confidence to clearly express your needs and boundaries - at work, at home, and in your community.
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Strengths-Based Strategies
Using what you're already great at as the foundation for navigating daily challenges and transitions.

Advocacy

A knowledgeable ally in your corner, helping you navigate systems and get the support you're entitled to.

Meetings with schools, employers, or health providers can feel overwhelming. I attend these meetings with you as a strategic partner, helping to bridge the gap between your needs and the systems around you.

How I support you in the system:

Attending school, medical, or workplace meetings alongside you
Working alongside you with Enabling Good Lives (EGL), Ministry of Education (MoE), and disability support service pathways
Helping you understand reports, assessments, and formal correspondence by translating into plain language
Collaborating with providers to remove barriers and create genuinely inclusive environments

Workshops & Education

Practical, evidence-informed guidance for youth, young adults, families, schools, and organisations.

For Families
Understanding the "why" behind neurodivergent traits, with communication tools and practical strategies to build a calmer, more supportive home.
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For Schools & Tertiary Settings
Staff coaching, learning support plan reviews, and environment audits to reduce overwhelm and build truly neuro-affirming classrooms.

Interest & Skill-Based Learning Workshops
Small-group workshops designed for young adults to explore their interests while developing practical life and executive functioning skills. These sessions focus on building confidence and community in a neuro-affirming environment, tailored to what actually matters to them.

Health & Wellness Coaching

As a health and wellness coach, I partner with you to create changes that are genuinely achievable, not just another list of things you "should" be doing.

ADHD & Dopamine-Driven Eating
Ditch rigid diets and understand your brain's dopamine needs to build flexible, shame-free eating habits that support executive dysfunction.
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Perimenopause & Hormonal Cravings
‍Move past generic diet rules to address midlife cravings and fluctuating hormones with sustainable practices that honor your changing body.
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Value-Aligned Health
Moving away from generic "shoulds" to identify what "wellbeing" actually looks like for you, finding sustainable practices that genuinely matter to your brain and body.

Why choose

Personalised support

Your plan is completely unique to you. It’s shaped around your life, your needs and your priorities.

Easy-to-follow plans

Together, we’ll define clear, manageable steps and use visual goal-setting tools to create a roadmap you can actually follow.

Goal-focused progress

A responsive, affirming path built around what matters to you right now, so your energy goes where it counts.

Strengths-based solutions

By using strategies tailored to you and focusing on your strengths, we’ll build a way of living that aligns with your needs.

Mother and father holding daughter in front of house

Blending experience and expertise to help you find calm in life's storms

I’m Deborah, a neuro-affirming coach, advocate and registered educator based in Selwyn, Canterbury.

I founded Affirming Mind and Body after 20+ years in teaching, leadership, and disability support, including roles with Oranga Tamariki and Cholmondeley Children's Centre. My goal is to provide a space where individuals, families, and organisations can access the specialised support, ADHD-informed strategies, and compassionate partnership they need to navigate life’s challenges and truly thrive.

I hold a Bachelor's in Teaching & Learning, a Diploma in Health Science, and specialist ADHD coach certification through Gold Mind Academy, aligned with International Coaching Federation (ICF) standards.

As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman, I bring both professional expertise and genuine personal understanding to every client I work with. I offer sessions in person across Christchurch and Canterbury, and online throughout NZ.

Make an enquiry Book now

In their Own Words

Getting started

Step 1 - Book a discovery call

Let’s have a free 30-minute online or in person chat to explore how I can help. No commitment, no cost, just a conversation.

Step 2 - Complete a brief intake form

This is a short form designed to help me better understand your situation and life goals, so we hit the ground running.

Step 3 - Begin your journey

We agree on a support plan with the right structure and frequency for your needs, adjusting to changes as we go.

Want to know what to expect from our first meeting?

Enjoy! Click the button below to view our initial consultation outline

Download here

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need a Coach?

If you have the information but are struggling to turn it into consistent action, coaching could be a great fit. It's particularly valuable after an ADHD assessment or diagnosis in NZ, where providers often recommend working with an ADHD-informed coach as a next step.

How do I know if I need an Educator?

You understand the diagnosis, but you're not sure how to translate that into practical changes at home, school, or work.

You are a school looking to increase your neuro-affirming practice.

Your young person or adult has left school after having the support of ORS funding and is looking for the next part of the journey.

How do I know if I need an Advocate?

If you're heading into meetings, an advocate can make a real difference. I can also help if you're dealing with overwhelming paperwork, reports, or EGL/MoE documentation and need someone to translate it into a clear plan of action.

Can I access your services through disability funding?

Yes, many of my services can be accessed through disability funding that individuals may already be receiving.

What is PATH graphic facilitation?

Graphic Facilitation is a visual planning process that helps individuals and families set goals, explore hopes, and create actionable steps.

By drawing the plan in real-time, I make complex situations easier to understand and navigate.
PATH is a future-focused tool used to plan clear actions for complex transitions or goals.

As an experienced graphic facilitator, I guide these conversations to help you create a visual roadmap that honours your strengths and brings clarity to your next steps.

Are you a Health Practitioner or Counsellor?

No, I’m neither. I am:

A certified health coach
A qualified educator with a Bachelor’s in Teaching & Learning and a Diploma in Health Science
A certified ADHD coach

My training enables me to understand medical diagnoses and health recommendations, allowing me to work alongside professional healthcare to support, educate and empower individuals on their wellbeing journey.

What makes you different from life coaches?

My approach as a neuro-affirming coach, educator and advocate combines education, health science, neurodiversity expertise, and a holistic approach to wellbeing. Instead of coaching clients on general areas of their lives, I make sure my support is tailored to each person’s specific needs.

Ready to take the first step?

Together, we'll build the strategies and confidence you need to navigate life on your own terms.

Get in touch to book your free discovery call.

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