Neurodiversity-Affirmative Consultation Group

 

neurodiversity-affirmative consultation group

In this consultation group, we’ll explore the complexities of ND-affirming therapy, focusing on identifying and supporting autistic and ADHD adults using trauma-informed, somatic, attachment-focused, liberatory, and experiential therapies.

Group Details:

  • Who Should Join? This group is ideal for IFS, somatic, and/or attachment-focused therapists who are looking to improve their competency in working with neurodivergent adults, particularly Autistic and/or ADHD clients. Those both newer and experienced in the ND-affirming paradigm, as well as pre-licensed therapists, are welcome. Therapists can be located anywhere in the world.

  • Format: The group will meet monthly on Fridays, at 10am Pacific time, for 90 minutes. Sessions will be a mix of case consultations, resource-sharing, and experiential learning. 

  • Facilitator: Led by Madeline Warnick, LPC, a neurodivergent therapist specializing in assessment and therapy for late-identified Autistic adults, ADHDers, and complex trauma. She is trained in IFS (Level 2 trained and Program Assistant in IFS Institute Level 1 training), Brainspotting, EMDR, Psychedelic Assisted Therapy, and attachment-focused therapy. Learn more about Madeline here.

  • Fee: $75 per group (Reduced fee available for those working in community mental health agencies)

  • Note: Group consultation sessions do not count towards licensure supervision, CEUs, or IFS Certification.

 

Sample topics of the group:

  • How to adapt IFS, somatic, and attachment-focused therapies to be more accessible and affirming for Autistic and/or ADHD clients

  • The intersection of Autism/ADHD, attachment, and complex trauma

  • Neurodiversity-Affirmative Therapy paradigm

  • Identifying previously undiagnosed autistic and/or ADHD adults

  • Differentiating hardware (e.g. innate autistic and/or ADHD neurological differences) from software (e.g. burdens, trauma, and extreme roles carried by parts)

  • Working with common parts and burdens among neurodivergent clients (e.g. “figure it out”/intellectual protectors, parts that mask neurodivergent traits, and parts carrying shame burdens caused by internalized ableism, unaffirming environments, and a lifetime of repeated social rejection)

  • Identifying helpful accommodations to support executive functioning differences

  • Implementing sensory-based strategies for nervous system regulation

  • High-masking, nuanced, or non-stereotypical autism

  • Cultural competency with neurodivergent clients: how to be responsive and of service to those with sensory differences, a bottom-up processing style, interoception differences, alexithymia, masking, autistic burnout, and communication differences

  • Common co-occurring diagnoses, misdiagnoses, and medical conditions (things like ARFID, CPTSD, OCD, BPD, POTS/dysautonomia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Hypermobile Spectrum Conditions, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, etc.)

  • The Double Empathy Problem, both in the therapy room and outside of it

  • Mixed-neurotype relationships (e.g. relationships between people with different neurotypes, like an ADHDer and an Autistic person, a neurotypical person and an AuDHDer, etc.)

  • Countertransference: how to recognize it, welcome it, and work with it to improve both your clinical work and your professional well-being (or in IFS speak: working with therapist parts)

 

Ready to Join?

If you’re ready to enhance your practice and provide more effective, compassionate care to neurodivergent clients, you’re invited to join our consultation group. Spaces are limited to ensure an intimate and focused experience. Reach out now to secure your place in the group.