NEST

Neurodevelopment Empowerment, Support and Tailoring

Understanding your neurodivergence. Your strengths, your needs, your way forward.

What is NEST?

NEST stands for Neurodevelopmental Empowerment, Support and Tailoring. NEST is a brief, neurodiversity-affirming service that helps neurodivergent adults who are struggling to understand their neurodivergent needs, strengths and difficulties, and identify practical ways to make everyday life more manageable. It recognises the challenges neurodivergent people may face in a predominantly neurotypical world.

It is for adults aged 18 and over who live in Fife and identify as neurodivergent, with or without a formal diagnosis, and who may benefit from up to three sessions with a psychological practitioner.

What NEST offers, and what it does not

Please read both columns before self-referring. If NEST is not the right fit for your needs, we will discuss appropriate next steps and sources of support.

NEST can offer

  • Up to three sessions with a psychology clinician, in person or online.

  • A space to explore your needs, strengths, goals and current challenges.

  • Help to understand how your neurodivergence, life experiences and environment may be affecting your wellbeing.

  • Formulation to better understand your neurodivergent needs.

  • Practical strategies, reasonable adjustments, and ways to communicate your needs effectively.

  • Signposting to relevant support, resources and next steps.

  • An “Understanding Me, My Neurodiversity Profile” summary, where helpful.

NEST cannot offer

  • Any formal assessment or diagnosis of autism, ADHD, or other neurodevelopmental conditions.

  • Ongoing psychological therapy or counselling.

  • Access to diagnostic pathways or referral into other NHS services.

  • Assessment or intervention for moderate or severe mental health difficulties or risk.

  • Long-term support or intervention.

What happens in the sessions?

The NEST project runs from Autumn 2026 to Autumn 2027

After receiving your self-referral, we will review the information to ensure NEST is a good fit. If so, we will send you an appointment with questionnaires to complete before your first session. These help us understand your experiences and make the most of the time available. Each appointment lasts around 60 minutes and can be in person or online. If your information suggests NEST is not right for you, we will contact you by email.

Session 1: Initial consultation 

  • Explore what has brought you to NEST and discuss your questionnaires. 
  • Talk about your current situation, history, goals, strengths and challenges. 
  • Consider areas such as sensory needs, overwhelm, burnout, masking, executive functioning, relationships, work, education and communication. 

Session 2: Making Sense of Your Experiences 

  • Develop a shared understanding of your experiences. 
  • Explore how your neurodivergence, life experiences and environment interact. 
  • Identify strengths, challenges, what keeps problems going and what helps. 

Session 3: Integration 

  • Bring together the shared understanding. 
  • Discuss practical strategies, reasonable adjustments and ways of communicating your needs. 
  • Develop an “Understanding Me – My Neurodiversity Profile”, where helpful. 
  • Consider useful next steps and relevant resources. 

Throughout NEST you may receive personalised resources and information. The aim is to help you leave with a better understanding of yourself and practical ways forward.

Is NEST right for me?

Please check this before you self-refer.

NEST may be helpful if you

  • are 18 years or older

  • identify as neurodivergent, with or without a formal diagnosis

  • experience mild psychological difficulties that impact day-to-day functioning

  • would benefit from psychological understanding of your needs, strengths or challenges

  • are looking for strategies, reasonable adjustments, or support with communicating your needs

  • have issues that can reasonably be explored in up to three sessions

NEST is not the right service if you

  • are seeking an autism, ADHD or other neurodevelopmental assessment or diagnosis

  • need support for moderate or severe mental difficulties or there are risk issues.

  • require ongoing or more intensive psychological support, such as therapy

  • are looking for a referral into another NHS service through NEST

Do you want to self-refer to NEST?

Before self-referring, please make sure you have read the information above and understand what NEST can and cannot offer.

The self-referral form will ask what has brought you to NEST, what you hope to gain from the sessions, and some questions to help us understand whether NEST is likely to be a suitable and safe service for your needs.

Submitting a self-referral does not automatically mean NEST will be the right service for you. A member of the team will review the information you provide and may contact you if more information is needed.

Self-Refer to NEST