How to Be a Neurodiversity Affirming Therapist

Date: Wednesday, November 12th, 2025

Time: 12:00PM-2:00PM EST

CEUs/CEs: 2 Contact Hours/Continuing Education credits

Course Description: Join us for this interactive live training where we will explore a neurodiversity-affirming theoretical framework for therapeutic practice. Affirming therapists recognize neurodiversity as a natural and essential aspect of human variation, creating inclusive spaces that validate and advocate for marginalized individuals. Led by experts Dr. Sami Pieknik and David Meer, LPC, this live session will go beyond lecture-style learning to include opportunities for Q&A and participant engagement. Together, we will examine holistic perspectives on behavior, integrating insights from diverse sciences to deepen our understanding of neurodiversity. Participants will leave with practical tools for cultivating a clinical practice centered on therapeutic processes that empower both clients and clinicians.

Course Objectives:

• Holistic and Inclusive Understanding: Participants will understand how neurodivergence intersects with other marginalized identities
• Strengths-Based Approaches and Goal Setting: Participants will recognize and leverage the strengths of neurodivergent individuals while setting personalized therapeutic goals that respect their unique neurological profiles
• Empowerment through Self-Advocacy: Participants will gain skills to empower neurodivergent individuals to articulate their needs, assert boundaries, and connect with supportive communities
• Adaptive Practices and Advocacy for Systemic Change: Participants will reflect on practices that adapt to the needs of neurodivergent clients and advocate for systemic changes that promote inclusion and understanding in various environments

About Your Instructors, Sami Pieknik, Psy.D. & David Meer, LPC:

Dr. Sami is a passionate advocate for neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults, offering personalized support to help them navigate life authentically. With nearly 15 years of diverse experience across various settings, she provides affirming therapeutic care, emphasizing self-advocacy and emotional processing. Dr. Sami wears multiple hats as a therapist, diagnostician, clinician, advocate, and educator in the neurodiversity field. She incorporates diverse therapeutic approaches, including Neurodivergent Affirming Therapy, play-based CBT, ACT, and more. She co-leads trainings and webinars to promote affirming practices and educate professionals on neurodiversity.

David is the CEO/owner of Neurodiverse Counseling Services. As a therapist, David supports a community that encourages people to use their abilities and talents in a productive way by working with neurodivergent individuals and families to construct values, set goals, and clear the path toward a meaningful life. His approach is holistic and encourages individuals, couples, and families to become attuned with themselves, their environment, and the human experience. He often emphasizes mindfulness to improve awareness and psychological flexibility, which opens up inner curiosity and creativity. Alongside this, he co-leads workshops on neurodivergent populations for clinicians, aiming to enhance their understanding and approaches.

NYSED: AFFIRM Mental Health, LLC 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-0196 and State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0695.

NBCC: AFFIRM Mental Health LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7580. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. AFFIRM Mental Health LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

ASWB: AFFIRM Mental Health, LLC, provider #1929, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: July 18, 2025-July 18, 2028.