Holly Sutcliffe

Holly is an Neurodivergent Mental Health Advocate, who works with individuals, families and institutions as an Integrated Holistic Coach. As a late-diagnosed autistic human, Holly finally realised why and how she has struggled for so long to live a ‘full life’. Now, she embraces her version of ‘full’, which looks totally different to a neurotypical one and embraces the joyful, conscious, heart-led life she lives with her daughter by the sea. She speaks about positive autistic identity, autistic parenting of an autistic kid, healing from trauma, embodied living and neurodivergent acceptance and autonomy. Holly advocates for individual and collective awakening from conditioning and the dismantling of societal structures that prevent us all from being free and has a committed spiritual practice. She has specific understanding and experience of ableism and misogyny and acknowledges her privilege in many other areas. Holly’s coaching practice integrates professional education experience, personal mental health and parenting experience and research combined with the healing, embodied, somatic experiences of yoga and Focalizing.

Holly has a BA (Hons) in English Language and Communication from King’s College London and a PGCE in Secondary English from Goldsmith’s. With over a decade’s experience in mainstream and other educational settings, she worked for 5 years at Wanstead High School, where she implemented cross-department initiatives, delivered whole-school INSET and was consultant to other schools within Redbridge for assessment, running training sessions and advising senior leaders. A full-time career in education wasn’t good for her mental health - for many reasons - and it was with sadness but conviction she left and has worked in many other educational settings and capacities since (including a therapeutic mental health setting).

With the same length of dedicated, regular yoga and mindfulness practice, Holly has studied with many teachers in Australia and the UK in studios, workshops and retreat settings. In 2018 Holly completed the Teen Yoga and Mindfulness Training 60hr course with Charlotta Martinus of TeenYoga, registered with Yoga Alliance Professionals, qualifiying as a Level 3 Coach. She furthered that with Professional Training in the Applied Use of Mindfulness for 12 - 18 year olds with The British Mindfulness Institute in 2019 and completed a Life Coaching Diploma that same year. In 2021 Holly qualified as a yoga teacher after a pandemic-impacted but still utterly transformative 200hr teacher training with Leila Sadhegee and as a Focalizing facilitator with Joanna Miller.

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I am a late-diagnosed autistic and have lived experience of how challenging life can be trying to fit into a neurotypical world. I was mis-diagnosed with mental health conditions for almost two decades and I found hope, strength and self-acceptance through yoga and other embodied practices. The world isn’t designed for neurodivergent humans and - I believe - the more we try to fit in, the harder life becomes. The more we tune into our felt sense and move through life from our heart, body and soul, the simpler our decisions and direction become. I want to invite you to let go of whatever’s holding you back and start soaring; I want you to take no less than skies!

I also understand when you discover your brain works differently from how we are conditioned to believe it ‘should’ (or your child’s does) there are so many emotions - grief, acceptance, hope, anger, compassion and understanding to name a few - that need to be acknowledged and processed to be able to lead a truly joyful and heartfelt life. We can do this together, in a safe, nurturing space: you and the magnificent multitude of emotions of your experience are held, seen and supported as we work together.

Working with me supports you to connect with your emotions, your felt sense and your identity to empower you to navigate life from your heart; whether you are a parent struggling to manage home-life or needing to understand your child better, a teenager experiencing anxiety, or a school looking for ways to integrate more inclusive policies for their SEND students. My practice covers a wealth of experience and I draw on many strands of knowledge to support you on your journey.

My autistic brain struggles to package up what I do in this way, I hope you get a flavour of me and what I offer - I certainly won’t make promises I can’t keep. I work to facilitate transformation for all, because everyone has the right to be empowered to recognise their inherent self-worth, no matter the challenges they face. I recognise and acknowledge the privileges I hold in this world and commit to work towards dismantling the hierarchical structures that prevent us all from being free and withhold power from so many.