Season 2, Episode 19: Autism, Empathy & How to Read Minds | Aimee Cliff
This episode discusses autism, sensory issues, communication problems, anxiety, masking, therapy and empathy.
This episode of A Bunch of Therapists is proudly sponsored by The Awareness Centre, a leading counselling and psychotherapy practice in London with over 300 therapists, offering therapy both in person and online. With a range of fee options designed to make support more accessible, no GP referral needed, no waiting list, and appointments available seven days a week. Visit theawarenesscentre.com to find the right therapist for you.
Join us for an insightful conversation with psychotherapist and author Aimee Cliff as she discusses her own diagnosis and experience of autism, her journey into therapy, and the inspiration behind her book ‘How to Read Minds’. This compelling discussion explores the multi-faceted nature of empathy, the impact of masking, and the myth that autistic people lack the ability to feel empathy.
In this compelling episode, Aimee openly shares:
- Her experience of masking her struggles with life
- Living with sensory issues, communication problems and anxiety
- Being diagnosed with autism in her twenties
- The diagnoses of two of her siblings
- How her experience of therapy inspired her to become a therapist
- Wanting to ‘look under the hood’ and better understand herself
- Encountering research from the 1980s about autism and empathy during her training
- How this research made her question her own abilities
- Experiencing a crisis of confidence
- Exploring the myth that autistic people lack empathy
- Her research into the science and art of empathy
- Writing her book ‘How to Read Minds’
This essential conversation offers valuable insight into autism, masking, empathy, therapy, and the importance of questioning assumptions about autistic people’s emotional experiences.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Autism and adult diagnosis
- Masking autistic experiences
- Sensory issues and communication problems
- Anxiety and the experience of therapy
- The journey from therapy client to therapist
- Research into autism and empathy
- The multi-faceted nature of empathy
- Questioning assumptions about autistic people
- The science and art of empathy
- Writing ‘How to Read Minds’
Chapters:
02:15 Aimee’s Path to Therapy & Autism Diagnosis
06:10 Understanding Masking, Anxiety & Hiding Behind Achievements
11:36 Autism Diagnosis in Family and Gendered Presentation Differences
14:42 Discovering Sensory Issues & Their Impact on Daily Life
17:57 Aimee’s Book ‘How to Read Minds’ and Its Core Message
19:12 Tracing The Origins of The Autism Empathy Deficit Myth
21:47 Reflecting on Personal Views and Experiences of Empathy
24:05 Exploring the Five Pillars of Empathy and Non-Judgement
25:37 Distinguishing Between Empathy, Sympathy & Over-Identification
28:47 Empathy Across Cultures and Its Relational, Social Nature
34:11 Rethinking How Empathy is Taught and Therapy Accessibility
38:10 The Importance of Neurodiversity-Affirming Approaches in Therapy
40:08 Aimee’s Message on Self-Diagnosis and Internal Validation
41:46 Discussing the Concept of Agency Within the Therapy Room
Find out more about Aimee Cliff, and her book ‘How to Read Minds’.
