Full Course Description

Part I: Introduction to the Neurodiversity Affirming Paradigm and the Social Model of Disability

Program Information

Objectives

  1. To develop an understanding and application of the Neurodiversity Affirming Paradigm in therapy
  2. To develop an understanding of the social disability model, appropriate language, and the double empathy theory
  3. To develop an understanding of the latest research on autism, ADHD and underrepresented populations
  4. To critically analyse, mythbust and not perpetuate common misperceptions and misinformation around Autism and ADHD
  5. To develop self reflective practice around your own implicit biases in language and and therapies
  6. To develop competency in adapting therapies to work with neurodivergent clients in an affirming way
  7. To understand and cultivate key qualities of a neurodiversity affirming therapist
  8. To develop understanding of key areas of therapy with neurodivergent individuals such as interoception, sensory differences, executive functioning and masking
  9. To become an awesome neurodivergent affirming therapist!

Outline

DAY 1 (Part I & II)

Morning Session

  • Introduction to the Neurodiversity Affirming Paradigm and the Social Model of Disability
  • Exploring Implicit Bias and Intersectionality in the latest research on Autism and ADHD
  • Language
  • Double Empathy Theory
  • Practitioner Self Reflection

Afternoon Session

  • Introduction to principles and practices of Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy with Autism and ADHD
  • Key qualities of a Neurodiversity Affirming Therapist
  • Principles of Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy
  • Self reflection Exercise
  • Setting up your Therapy Room and Practice
  • Introduction to the Square Model
  • Stimming
  • Masking and Unmasking
  • Validation and Compassion
  • Grieving
  • Values

 

DAY 2 (Part III & IV)

Morning Session

  • Neurodiversity and Trauma
  • Burnout and Burnout Handout
  • Interoception Skills

Afternoon Session

  • Sensory Needs
  • Executive Functioning
  • Adapting Mindfulness and therapies such as ACT in an affirming manner

Copyright : 03/23/2023

Part II: Introduction to the Neurodiversity Affirming Paradigm and the Social Model of Disability

Copyright : 03/23/2023

Part III: Neurodiversity and Trauma, Burnout, and Interoception Skills

Copyright : 03/24/2023

Part IV: Adapting Therapies in an Affirming Manner

Copyright : 03/24/2023

Open Dialog: An Innovative and Inclusive Way to Emphasize Humanity - Understanding and Working With People in Personal, Family, and Social Contexts

Most people enjoy being heard. If they engage in therapy, they need to be heard. Regretfully, the experiences of individuals are often unintentionally minimised and their realities denied, not only by family and friends but also by professionals. Not being heard, in turn, can increase a person’s feelings of aloneness and create a roadblock to their recovery.

Open Dialogue bridges this gap by aiming to understand an individual’s experience in the context of their family and social network, and by activating the person’s psychosocial resources.

Open Dialogue is a person-oriented approach, originally developed in Finland to help respond to and provide ongoing care for people experiencing psychosis and other mental health crises. Given its evidenced effectiveness in improving clinical and functional outcomes, Open Dialogue has since been used in a variety of mental health and social recovery settings in Scandinavia, the UK, and the US. In Australia, adaptations of Open Dialogue are being implemented at Alfred Health in Victoria and, in NSW, at Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, Nepean Blue Mountain LHD, and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.

Open Dialogue uses a dialogue-centered approach in network meetings that include the individual and mental health practitioners, as well as members from the person’s family and social circle, and sometimes peer workers. In network meetings, the decision-making process is transparent (open) and emerges from all voices being listened to, being valued, and being responded to (dialogue).

Dialogical Practice is a key element of Open Dialogue and requires therapists to be present, mindful, sensitive in facilitating collaboration, able to sit with uncertainty, and skilled in responding and reflecting in a transparent manner. Dialogical Practice allows the individual, as well as members of their family and social network to be heard, to be empowered, and to be actively involved in the individual’s recovery process.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Evaluates the limitations in mental health crisis care.
  2. Investigates the use of Open Dialogue as an effective modality for working with people experiencing a mental health crisis.
  3. Analyzes the key differences between Open Dialogue and standard mental health care for working with mental health crisis.
  4. Defends the efficacy of the Open Dialogue approach with supportive research from multiple international studies that demonstrate outcome predictors.
  5. Investigates the seven principles of Open Dialogue and the twelve key elements of dialogical practice.
  6. Demonstrates Open Dialogue principles, concepts, and treatment interventions using case examples and via the facilitation of dialogical practice in small groups.

Outline

Common Limitations in Mental Health Care

Introduction to Open Dialogue

  • Theoretical Position
  • Open Dialogue vs. Standard Mental Health Crisis Care
  • Open Dialogue Origins
  • Open Dialogue Research & Outcome Predictors

The Seven Principles of Open Dialogue

  • Immediate Help
  • Social/Network Perspective
  • Mobility & Flexibility
  • Tolerance of Uncertainty
  • Dialogue
  • Responsibility
  • Psychological Continuity

Twelve Elements of Dialogical Practice

  • Two or More Mental Heal Practitioners Attending the Network Meeting
  • Participation of Family and/Network Members
    • Reflection/Practice
  • Using Open-ended Questions
  • Helping Participants to Feel Heard
    • Reflection/Practice
  • Emphasizing the Present Moment
  • Eliciting Multiple View Points
    • Reflection/Practice
  • Using a Relational Focus
  • Responding to Problem Discourse or Behavior as Meaningful
  • Emphasizing the Client’s Story, Not Syndrome
  • Professional Reflections in Network Meetings
    • Reflection/Practice
  • Being Transparent
  • Tolerating Uncertainty

Conclusion

  • Resources
  • Final Reflections
  • References

Target Audience

  • Counselors
  • Psychologists
  • Social Workers
  • Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Addiction Counselors
  • Psychotherapists
  • Case Managers
  • Nurses
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Physicians
  • Other Medical Professionals

Copyright : 08/05/2020