Okay, but why puffins?
The Story Behind the Name
Among Puffins was founded to create a space for anyone who has ever felt a little different, out of place or misunderstood.
Puffins are small, resilient seabirds that often go unnoticed while navigating harsh environments. They adapt creatively and thrive living on the edges. Like the people I work with, they’re unique, bold, playful and loving but are often overlooked and underestimated as they don’t fit the conventional expectations of other seabirds.
This is a space Among Puffins, where you're welcomed by a fellow outsider who gets it. A place where uniqueness is recognised, differences are celebrated, and no voice is too quiet to be heard.
Here, you can show up without pretending. You can talk about your struggles without being treated like you’re broken. You can be neurodivergent, chronically ill, grieving, angry, confused, overwhelmed or whatever you’re carrying and it's met with understanding, not judgment.
Our Vision
Mental health spaces have a long history of encouraging people to conform to specific ways of being, often shaped by the assumptions and values of dominant groups. For decades, “optimal” mental health was narrowly defined, pathologising difference rather than recognising the diversity of human experience.
Our vision is to contribute to a mental health culture that moves away from conformity and toward inclusion, understanding, and respect for difference.
Our Mission
Our mission is to offer inclusive, affirming counselling that supports people to understand themselves, honour their differences, and live in ways that feel authentic and sustainable.
Meet Liz O’Neill
Founder & Integrative Counsellor
BSc (Psych). MA (Counselling). | ACA-L2 Counselling Registration
Liz is an ACA-registered Integrative Counsellor who offers inclusive, affirming and socially-aware counselling.
Background
Liz has worked in a range of counselling, mentoring, and crisis-intervention roles over the years, supporting people across different life stages, identities, and experiences. She specialises in working with people through invisible struggles, systemic barriers, and experiences that often go unrecognised.
As a member of the LGBTQIAPK+ community with lived experience of chronic illness and complex grief, Liz brings a compassionate, thoughtful, and anti-oppressive approach to her work.
Approach
Liz adopts a warm, multi-faceted approach, combining different counselling methods to suit each person’s unique circumstances and goals. Sessions are guided by focusing on what matters most to you; whether that’s identity, self-worth, relationships, emotions, or life transitions.
She works collaboratively, honouring your story, emotions, values, and the different parts of yourself, even when they feel contradictory. Together, a safe space is created where your experience is truly seen and your voice can finally be heard.
The Counselling Experience at Among Puffins
What to expect from a session
Counselling at Among Puffins is collaborative, inclusive, and supportive. We provide:
Safety. Sessions are tailored to your needs, where you can explore at a comfortable pace decided by you.
Collaborative focus – You guide the conversation, and we focus on what matters most to you.
Practical insights – Sessions help you make sense of emotions, patterns, and challenges.
Informed understanding – We recognise invisible struggles and systemic barriers that shape your experience.
Who this space is for
Liz work’s with individuals over the age of 18 who:
Experience invisible struggles, such as chronic illness or neurodivergence (diagnosed or self-diagnosed)
Feel dismissed or overlooked by systems or services meant to help
Support others through illness, crisis, trauma, or caregiving and have lost sight of their own needs
Feel different, misunderstood, or out of place
Navigating trauma or its aftermath
Grieve losses, especially the kind others don’t see or acknowledge
Exploring questions of identity, belonging, or self-understanding (LGBTQIAPK+ inclusive)
Want to work on relationships, boundaries, and emotional wellbeing
Are managing stress, anxiety, or depression
Contact Liz
Feel free to contact me using the contact form or at
amongpuffinscounselling@gmail.com. I am happy to answer any questions about availability, my background and whether working together would be a good fit for you.
Check out my FAQ Page incase your query has already been answered!