Working with neurodivergent adults
Developing self-compassion and self-acceptance
Autistic and ADHD clients often face unique challenges and require nuanced therapeutic approaches. This workshop is designed to equip therapists with foundational skills in neurodiversity-affirming practice, offering practical tools and strategies to better support these clients. Led by Jennifer Kemp, a clinical psychologist, published author, and lived-experience expert, this interactive workshop will provide a solid framework for delivering compassionate, effective, and affirming therapy. Packed with insights, resources, and actionable techniques, this training will empower you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of your neurodivergent clients.
Background to the workshop
Autistic and ADHD adolescents and adults are increasingly presenting for therapy, often after years of misdiagnosis, chronic burnout, and unmet needs. These clients frequently grapple with interwoven mental and physical health challenges, compounded by internalised stigma, shame, and a lifetime of struggling to meet neurotypical expectations. Despite their resilience and strengths, they often exhibit lower self-compassion and heightened self-criticism. As therapists, we need to move beyond traditional approaches and embrace neurodiversity-affirming practices that validate their experiences, foster self-acceptance, and provide tailored support. This workshop was developed to address this critical need and equip therapists with the skills to meet these clients where they are.
What you will gain from this workshop
By attending this workshop, you will:
- Gain an in-depth understanding of what it means to be Autistic or an ADHDer, helping you better recognise these differences in your clients.
- Learn practical strategies for creating affirming and effective therapeutic environments for neurodivergent clients.
- Develop a flexible, trauma-informed framework for therapy that integrates sensory self-soothing, emotion regulation, executive functioning support, and self-advocacy.
- Understand the neurobiological foundations of Autism and ADHD and their frequent co-occurrence with mental health conditions such as anxiety, OCD, trauma, and eating disorders.
- Build confidence in delivering neurodiversity-affirming therapy, regardless of your therapeutic modality.
- Receive comprehensive handouts, worksheets, and resources to seamlessly integrate these skills into your practice.
About this workshop
This workshop will be delivered in an engaging online format across two 3-hour sessions. Combining didactic teaching, experiential exercises, and interactive discussions, it will provide a dynamic and supportive learning environment. You’ll explore foundational principles of neurodiversity-affirming practice, delve into the lived experience of being Autistic or an ADHDer, and work through practical strategies for therapeutic interventions. Alongside mini-lectures, you’ll participate in reflective activities and case-based discussions to deepen your understanding and apply the concepts to real-world practice.
Who will benefit from this workshop?
This workshop is ideal for therapists, psychologists, counsellors, and other mental health professionals who work with neurodivergent clients, particularly Autistic and ADHD adolescents and adults. It is suited for those seeking to adopt a neurodiversity-affirming approach and wishing to expand their skills in working with this client group. No prior experience in neurodiversity-affirming practice is required, though familiarity with acceptance and commitment therapy or trauma-informed approaches will be helpful.
Continuing education credits are available both for attending the live workshop and for completing the workshop by viewing the recording of the live event.
APA psychologists: This program is sponsored by Contextual Consulting and is approved for 6 CE credits for psychologists. Contextual Consulting is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Contextual Consulting maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Nationally certified counselors: This workshop is available for 6 credit hours. Contextual Consulting Ltd. has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7578.
New York psychologists: This program is sponsored by Contextual Consulting and is approved for 6 CE credits for psychologists. Contextual Consulting is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0316.
To find out more, including attendance requirements and how to access your certificate, go to our continuing education information page.
If you have disability and require adjustments or accommodation, please email us at admin@contextualconsulting.co.uk to discuss your needs and we will do our best to help you.
Booking cancellation
The registration fee will be refunded minus a administration charge if cancellations are received at least two weeks before the workshop date.
Cancellations within two weeks of the event date are charged the full registration fee, other than in exceptional circumstances that can be verified.
Event cancellation
In the event of cancellation of the course outside of our control we will not be held accountable for travel and/or accommodation costs incurred. However, the workshop fees will be refunded.
All workshops will be subject to minimum delegate numbers being met; in the event that a workshop should be cancelled delegates will be given no less than 2 months’ notice.
Replacing delegates
If a delegate is unable to attend and a replacement is nominated there may be a charge depending on the individual circumstances, this will be advised at the time. Please contact the us to request a replacement of delegates at least a week before the workshop date.
Contextual Consulting is committed to the identification and resolution of potential conflicts of interest in the planning, promotion, delivery, and evaluation of continuing education. Potential conflicts of interest occur when an individual assumes a professional role in the planning, promotion, delivery, or evaluation of continuing education where personal, professional, legal, financial, or other interests could reasonably be expected to impair their objectivity, competence, or effectiveness.
There was no commercial support for this event. None of the planners or presenters for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
The Neurodivergence Skills Workbook for Autism and ADHD: Cultivate Self-Compassion, Live Authentically, and Be Your Own Advocate, by Jennifer Kemp.
- Describe key characteristics, presentations, and lived experiences associated with Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in adolescents and adults, including masking, burnout, and pathways to late identification.
- Identify common co-occurring mental and physical health difficulties experienced by neurodivergent clients, including anxiety, trauma, OCD, eating difficulties, and chronic stress.
- Apply neurodiversity-affirming principles to create therapeutic environments that validate client experiences, reduce stigma, and support psychological safety.
- Demonstrate practical strategies to support neurodivergent clients with sensory regulation, emotional regulation, executive functioning challenges, and self-advocacy.
- Evaluate and adapt existing therapeutic approaches to better meet the needs of Autistic and ADHD clients, with attention to self-compassion, self-acceptance, and trauma-informed practice.
- Develop strengths-based formulations and intervention plans that support long-term wellbeing, self-understanding, and meaningful behavioural change for neurodivergent clients.