Kate Ibbotson – A Tidy Mind Founder

The Story of A Tidy Mind

A Tidy Mind was founded in 2015 by Kate Ibbotson – Psychotherapist / Neurodivergent Specialist Coach / Professional Organiser / Home & Lifestyle Writer

Tidy Mind – Therapeutic Coaching

Combining her skills and training in Psychotherapy, Coaching and Organising, in 2022, Kate established her Neurodivergent Focused Therapeutic Coaching Service.

Strength-Based Support for ADHD & Autism

Neurodivergence is not a disorder to be ‘fixed’, rather a natural variation.
Neurodiversity coaching and therapy empowers you to thrive as your authentic self. The neuro-affirming therapeutic coaching provides a supportive, judgment-free space to navigate life’s challenges, focus on your unique strengths, and develop practical, personalised strategies for a fulfilled life.

What is Neuro-Affirming Coaching?

This is not traditional therapy. It’s bridging the gap between coaching and therapeutic support, focusing on practical application, skill-building, and goal attainment. The approach is trauma-informed and deeply rooted in the understanding that neurodivergence is a natural form of human variation, not a deficit. Kate is passionate about helping clients move beyond masking and develop self-advocacy skills.

A Tidy Mind – Home & Lifestyle blog

In 2017, Kate established what is now a leading home and lifestyle blog. This is an influential and widely-followed online platform that curates content around personal interests, daily activities, and expert advice related living well and creating a comfortable life.

It is a go-to source for home trends, ideas, and practical tips. Our authors are reliable experts in home decor and lifestyle matters.
We blend in other related topics like DIY projects, sustainable living, working from home, event planning, productivity, recipes, wellness tips, or travel, all through the personal lens of the authors.
We aim for the content to feel personal, like getting advice from a friend, sharing real-life stories and experiences that resonate with real people living real lives.
The blog provides readers with information that they can implement in their own lives, whether it’s planning a holiday itinerary, choosing a specific paint colour, or a guide on organising a pantry.
We are proud of our significant and consistent readership, and often collaborations with valued brands, innovators and contributors.

Check out our latest blog articles here.

A Tidy Mind – Professional Organising & Decluttering

This professional home organisation businesses is now one of the most well known in the UK, after Kate expanded from her local Yorkshire based business via franchising, to a team of 30 organisers operating throughout the UK. Core services include decluttering and organising specific areas such as wardrobes, kitchens, attics, and garages, as well as support during major life transitions like moving house or downsizing.
This brand hold the ethical values of respect and empowerment at it’s heart. Organisers make a personal connection with clients. They offer a compassionate, practical service to help clients create calmer, more functional, joyful homes and workspaces.

Kate’s Background & Personal Story

I have always had a special interest in people. From as far back as I remember, I wanted to listen to people tell their stories so I could understand them.

This motivated me to start studying Psychology 20 years ago and subsequently work in the mental health sector. Following this, I worked as Life Coach with people who felt “stuck” enabling them to set and achieve goals and make positive life changes .

I took these skills into a career as a Probation Officer in 2006. For 9 years, I worked with individuals for whom life had taken the wrong path. One of the things I particularly learned was that creating a comfortable, organised home environment is a vital stabilising factor for us all. Another important lesson was that people are often misunderstood. If we

Shelter is one of our basic human needs. Our home doesn’t have to be perfect. But our environment is a key element to a calm, motivated, engaged mind. If we have clutter and live in a disorganised state, we lose track of what is and isn’t important. This can create overwhelm, which is a huge energy drainer.

I haven’t always been tidy, Rather, there was a time when I was overwhelmed by the amount of ‘stuff’ in my life. My home was too full and my mind was too. Decluttering my life helped me gain clarity and headspace. Whilst being organised helps me think clearly and brings joy to every day things.

Establishing A Tidy Mind Professional Organising

Following my experience, I decided to train as a Professional Organiser and to found A Tidy Mind in 2015. The mission was to help those who are overwhelmed by clutter and disorganisation. It’s not just about physical things. Mental clutter can play a big part too. The aim is always to enhance well-being and contentment through organisation. I want clients to fall in love with their environments and look forward to their future.

With A Tidy Mind, I wanted to combine practicality with emotional support and helping people take action. So I developed a multi faceted way of working with clients. It combines expertise in time management, decluttering, storage, habits, routines and styling. In addition, we use a range of coaching and therapy techniques. This is a holistic approach aimed at transforming your life.

Mental Health Healing & The Missing Jigsaw Piece of Neurodivergence

I had aways felt either “too much and not enough” and grappled with feelings of inadequacy, self-blame, or a sense that something is fundamentally “wrong” with me. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms, such as disorganisation, time blindness, or impulsivity, led to negative life experiences, academic struggles, career instability, and difficulty managing daily life, all of which heavily impacted my self-esteem. Becoming an organising expert was an unbeknown way of compensating for this and was an important piece of scaffolding for me. Undiagnosed Autism led to communication, sensory and emotional regulation challenges as well as being vulnerable in difficulties in relationships and groups. I tried many coping mechanisms and therapies, but found only limited or temporary relief because the root causes of my challenges remained unaddressed

The Turning Point: Discovering ADHD and Autism

A pivotal moment arrived with the realisation of my AuDHD in my late 30s. This revelation served as a missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle, providing a new lens through which to view my entire life. I experienced a wide spectrum of emotions, from sadness for a life that could have been different to immense relief and validation that my struggles were not due to laziness or a character flaw. This understanding was an essential step toward developing self-compassion and challenging old, negative self-narratives. Post-diagnosis, I embarked on a journey of recovery focused on understanding, accepting, and embracing my neurodivergence.

Motivated by a deep sense of empathy and a desire to help others navigate similar challenges, I pursued and expanded my previous training as a therapist and coach. My personal journey, including both the struggles and the tools used to heal and thrive, provides a unique and authentic foundation for my professional practice. I blend my lived experience with my training and continued learning, offering a non-judgmental, trauma-informed, and highly effective approach.

Training & Qualifications

I practice as an ADHD / Autistic Coach and Productivity Coach. I am also a Psychotherapist, specialising in the modalities of Transactional Analysis and Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Therapy. I trained as a Coach in 2003 and refreshed my training in 2021 with specialist ADHD Coaching. In 2019, I was drawn to qualify as Psychotherapist to help people who need more support to uncover deeper issues affecting their well-being. I believe clients benefit from a practitioner who offers a combination of therapeutic and coaching support tailored to their needs.

I have degrees in both Psychology and Social Work from Durham University and Sheffield Hallam University, and have completed extensive training in Coaching, Clinical Psychotherapy and Professional Organising.

I am a member of The Association of Psychological Therapies and UKATA (UK Association of Transactional Analysis). My supervisor is Neil Keenan, UKCP Registered Psychotherapist and Certified Transactional Analyst and Trainer.

I have trained with:

APDO (Association of Professional Declutterers & Organisers), as well as serving on their Board and being a part of their training team.
TA Training Association – Clinical Psychotherapy Training
Results Coaching – an International Coaching Federation (ICF) globally recognised, independent credentialing program for coach practitioners
APT (Association of Psychological Therapies) – leading provider of accredited mental health training for professionals
Therapist Neurodiversity Collective – Neurodiversity Paradigm Centered Professional Development Courses for Therapists and Teachers
Thriving Autistic – Neurodivergent Affirmative professional training
Gold Mind – ADHD coach training programme
Free2beMe – Neurodiversity training provider

Thank you for reading the story of A Tidy Mind.

The Story