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Synopsis
It is increasingly recognised that people who are neurodivergent, such as those with Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others, are more likely to experience mental health issues. However, many neurodivergent conditions remain underdiagnosed in adults in the UK. As a result, many individuals present to NHS talking therapies and secondary care services seeking support for depression, trauma, and anxiety issues.If clinicians haven't received training on neurodivergence, they may not feel confident considering or supporting neurodivergence within clinical presentations and therapy. This workshop aims to support clinicians to feel more confident recognising and discussing diagnosed or suspected neurodivergence within therapy, differentiating neurodivergence from psychopathology and embedding a neurodiversity-affirming approach into their practice. This active session will include experiential learning tasks and skills practice. The main focus of the workshop will be Autism and ADHD but many of the skills will be transferable to other neurodivergent conditions.The workshop will be helpful for a range of professionals including low-intensity therapists, CBT therapists, counsellors, and other professionals working therapeutically with adults.Learning objectives
1. Consider how Autism and ADHD might present in clinic2. Learn about the key differences between Autism and ADHD, including diagnostic criteria and lived experiences, and understand the questions to ask when considering clinical practice.3. Outline key features of a range of other neurodivergent conditions including dyslexia, dyscalculia, Tourette’s syndrome and developmental co-ordination disorder (dyspraxia)4. Consider co-occurrence with physical health conditions and other neurodivergent conditions 5. Considering intersectionality6. What to do if it seems likely that your client is neurodivergent but undiagnosed7. Differentiating neurodivergent traits from psychopathology to support neurodiversity-affirming therapy8. Considering implications for working with neurodivergent adults to address mental health issues
Natasha Hickmott is an experienced NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) practitioner with over 8 years of experience. She holds an MSc in Psychology and has completed voluntary placements in both CAMHS and adult secondary care services. Natasha also runs a private practice, where she works with clients with ADHD and their families to understand ADHD through a neurodiversity-affirming lens.
Currently, Natasha is Everyturn Mental Health's national champion for neurodiversity and co-chair of the BABCP's Neurodiversity Special Interest Group. She recently had an article published on working with clients with ADHD in the May 2022 edition of BABCP's CBT Today and participated in a panel debate at the BABCP conference in 2023.
Benjamin Ford is a CBT therapist who was diagnosed with autism later in life. He has been working in NHS Talking Therapies/IAPT since 2008 and is the father of two adult children who are also neurodivergent. Benjamin's personal experience with his first-born son's autism has given him a deep understanding of neurodiversity. He believes that it is important for therapists to understand and treat neurodivergent people holistically. Benjamin is a founding member of several neurodiversity staff networking groups, including the BABCP Neurodiversity Special Interest Group and NDeavour. He has also worked as an expert by experience for the NHSE Midlands Autism and Learning Disabilities Workstream on the Autism Strategy.
Elizabeth Stamatelatos is a CBT therapist and founder member of the Neurodiversity SIG. With over 11 years of experience in special needs education, Liz completed an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Keele, followed by the PGDip in CBT.
Liz worked for IAPT/Talking Therapies and led a group of Neurodiversity Champions across Staffordshire. She teaches and supervises on the High Intensity CBT Post-graduate Diploma at Staffordshire University. Liz has delivered training on Neurodiversity and offers neurodiversity-specific supervision and one-to-one support for neurodivergent trainees.
As a proud auntie of two neurodivergent young men, Liz is incredibly passionate about improving inclusive services for ND therapists and clients and meeting the needs of many ND people who fall through the gaps of existing provision.
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All cancellation requests must be made in writing by emailing workshops@babcp.comIn person eventsAn event booking cancelled up to 14 days prior to the scheduled event will receive a full refund.
An event booking cancelled between 14 and 7 days prior to the scheduled event will receive a 50% refund.
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