How to Be a Neurodiversity Affirming Therapist

Event Title: How to Be a Neurodiversity Affirming Therapist

Date: Friday, July 12th, 2024

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

Accredited Continuing Education Credits: 1.5 Continuing Education Credits for New York State Licensed Social Workers and Psychologists

Description: Affirming therapists recognize that neurodiversity is part of the natural and vital variation of neurological structure and function that exists amongst human beings. They validate and advocate for marginalized people by developing their awareness of lived experiences and creating nonjudgmental, brave spaces that facilitate neurodivergent acceptance and expression. Affirming therapists are openly engaged with their inner curiosity, question assumptions, and provide outspoken, informed critiques of the status quo in their communities. The purpose of this session is to describe an affirming theoretical framework for therapeutic practice. We explore behavior from a holistic lens, integrating myriad sciences and levels of analysis to inform our understanding of neurodiversity and show how to build a clinical practice based on therapeutic processes rather than treatment strategies for syndromes.

Course Objectives:

1. Develop an affirming clinical practice

• Orient toward a nonjudgmental, person-centered practice to align with lived neurodivergent experiences.
• Affirm marginalized intersectionalities in neurodivergent communities.
• Rewrite language through a strengths-based lens.
• Critique evidence-based therapeutic interventions that cause harm to neurodivergent people.
• Recognize harmful therapy clinics in the community.
• Build strengths-based and neuroinclusive organizations.

2. Identify and connect therapeutic theoretical orientations to a neurodiversity affirming practice.

• Develop a holistic view of human behavior and development.
• Design interventions that emphasize attachment science and polyvagal theory.
• Integrate mindfulness-based interventions and Positive Psychology into therapeutic practices
• Build a transdiagnostic dimensional conceptualization of neurodiversity

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.