Neurophototherapy
“A love letter to late discovery!”
Neurophototherapy is an original art practice and methodology created by Boué in response to the need for creative self-support strategies for people who discover their neurodivergence as adults. It was funded by Arts Council England, supported by The Doug + Laurie Kanyer Art Collection, and hosted online by Autograph.
Boué developed Neurophototherapy as a solo practice with R&D funding in 2021, for which she published an online exhibition entitled Origin Story. Further funding was granted for participatory work, culminating in the publication Neurophototherapy: Playfully Unmasking with Photography and Collage, 2023. Neurophototherapy was shortlisted for a Contemporary Collage Magazine Innovation Award in 2023, and the publication was shown in the V&A Design and Disability show in 2025–26.
Neurophototherapy is also suitable for anyone seeking to explore their true identity in new and creative ways. It's a joyful, life-enhancing creative method that offers a gentle invitation to “reconnect with the sparky kid who didn't mask…”
The Neurophototherapy Project 2021–2023
Background
The inspiration for Neurophototherapy came about during the first national Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. While Boué was isolated from her studio, she began a new process of photographic self- documentation at home. This led Boué to create a Lockdown Series published on Instagram. Posting a series of humorous and satirical self-portraits, Boué began to unmask her neurodivergent identity through her art.
Boué was also inspired by Jo Spence and Rosy Martin, who developed Photo Therapy as a collaborative practice in the 1980s. She has innovated by focusing on neurodivergent identity and introducing collage elements. Collage has since become central to the Neurophototherapy method.
Neurophototherapy: Playfully Unmasking with Photography and Collage
Neurophototherapy: Playfully Unmasking with Photography and Collage is available as a free online PDF download and a paperback copy for £18.00.
Neurodivergent people, families, allies, arts and health organisations, art lovers, photographers, collagists, therapists, community group leaders and academics alike will find this original, informative, and upbeat publication of interest and relevance.
Further reading
Autograph Gallery
Contemporary Collage Magazine feature
Q&A Feature on Artists Now
Praise for Neurophototherapy
“What extraordinary and tender work!”
- Heather Peak, CEO and Artistic Director, DASH
“How fantastic this is finally in the world! Bravo, brilliant, brilliant Sonia!!! Where would I be without you and your work?”
- Becky Beasley, Prof. Fine Art, Goldsmiths, University of London
“A life-affirming read that also just gets you itching to make a collage. A joy.”
- Chloe Lawson, BOM, Birmingham
“Time and time again your work is transformative.”
- Sophie Leach, Deputy General Secretary, NSEAD
“Such a creative and unique project. A playful exploration of masking/unmasking — just beautiful.”
- Selene Burn, Wellcome Collection Access Lead
“The book manages to strike a nice balance that feels academic, artistic and accessible. A difficult thing to do! — Thanks again for sending this wonderful thing our way.”
- Declan Connolly, Open Eye, Liverpool
“Years in the making and a lifetime researching and living. It will be a cornerstone of help, healing and transformation!”
- Laurie Kanyer, The Doug + Laurie Kanyer Art Collection
“This book is just so unusual, interesting and engaging.”
- David Parker, Figment Arts, Brighton