I create and design spaces that are more inclusive, more compassionate, and more human – through my consultancy I partner with you to make that happen in the strategies, frameworks and programmes you deliver.
I work at the intersection of inclusion, neurodivergence, mental health, and trauma informed systems design, combining strategic insight, therapeutic depth, and lived experience to help people and organisations design, develop and create spaces that are not only inclusive – but truly transformative.
With over 20 years’ experience across healthcare, government, academia, consultancy and independent practice, I bring both lived and professional expertise into every room I enter.
Whether I’m developing national NHS training content, or guest lecturing the next generation of neuro affirming therapists, my work is rooted in compassion and a deep commitment to inclusion.
What I do
I offer consultancy, training, facilitation and advisory support across:
- Neurodivergence & Autism
- Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Disability Inclusion
- Trauma Informed Practice
- Inclusive Programme Design
- Strategic & Cultural Transformation
- Peer Support Programmes and Frameworks
Recent Consultancy/Associate Work
NHS England – Designed content and delivered the National Autism Trainer Programme for community mental health and adult inpatient teams, reaching thousands of mental health professionals across the NHS from Consultant Psychiatrists, GP’s, Nurses, ward staff to allied health professionals.
NHS England and Anna Freud – Associate on the NHS funded National Autism Peer Education Programme (England) co-designing a PEERS framework and training for 100’s of national family peer support guides, as well as producing and hosting the Autism Central Podcast.
UCL – Guest Lecturer designing and delivering post-graduate modules to the next generation of CAMHS and IAPT therapists on neuro-inclusive practice – how to hold the space and the approach.
UCL GRRAND – A member of the GRRAND (Group for Research in Relationships and Neurodiversity) based at UCL Brain Services.
AT-Autism – Associate, contributing to global autism research and training.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week – Panel Designer and Chair of online events focused on autism and menopause and mental health with 7,500+ attendees.
Major UK Financial Institution – Designed and delivered a strategic thought leadership session around mental health and trauma informed system design.
How I work
My style is both strategic and human, combining data, lived experience, and design thinking to create programmes and environments that don’t just look inclusive on paper, but feel safe and grounded in real life.
Ways you can work with me
✔ Strategic Consulting
✔ Programme + Content Design
✔ Training & Facilitation
✔ Inclusive Programme Design
✔ Guest Lecturing + Advisory Input
✔ Panel Design + Hosting
✔ Content + Curriculum Development
About me
Across the last two decades, I’ve led multi-million pound community programmes, co-designed NHS strategic advisory and patient forums to support £5bn strategy development, headed up transformation for a large NHS acute trust, created pioneering peer led support spaces, and launched and hosted a globally recognised podcast and community ‘The Late Discovered Club’.
Everything I do is about creating space – for healing, for truth and for belonging.
Let’s connect
If you’re ready to create and design something more inclusive, more compassionate, and more human, I’d love to hear from you.
📩 hellocatherineasta@gmail.com
Awards
- Womens Champion Award Finalist, Neurodiverse Business Awards, 2026
- Podcast ranked the #1 Podcast for ‘Female Autism’ in the world by FeedSpot 2025, 2024 and 2023
- Top 50 Influential Neurodivergent Women 2023 (Beyond the Box)
- Advocate for Change in Gender Equality 2023 (Forward Ladies)
- Knomo London Women Award 2018
- Northern Power Women 2018
- Ilkley Business Awards 2018 ‘Best Professional Services Award’
Radio & Media
During 2018-2021 I was the Resident Psychotherapist on the Stephanie Hirst show on BBC Radio Leeds, on air every month, giving the inside story of what I know and have been welcomed onto BBC Radio Five Live many times to discuss a whole host of themes centered around mental health and well being.
I’ve guest contributed on issues such as loneliness in Women’s Health Magazine, Late Discovered Autism in the British Psychological Society Magazine, Perfectionism for The Financial Times, the ‘sunday night dread’ in Grazia and have shared my happiness hacks in Boots Health & Beauty Magazine. I’ve contributed to articles for CNN, BBC, Telegraph and have co-written in Happiful Magazine and others.
I have previously been the well-being expert for John Lewis (Leeds) and I’ve also worked on campaigns with Dame Kelly Holmes for national stress awareness week; collaborated with well-being brand NEOM, offered my insights to agency campaigns on subjects such as neuroinclusion, and designed programmes, content and panels about autism, inclusion, neurodiversity and mental health.
I’ve spoken on countless panels in partnership with brands such as John Lewis and Whistles and I’ve hosted panel discussions too – one of my favourite panel discussions was the Marie Claire Magazine ‘Future Shapers Live’ event in London in 2018.