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Society’s unspoken neuro-normative rules often force Autistic individuals to mask their authentic selves, reshaping their behaviour to gain acceptance and avoid conflict. While masking may offer short-term safety, over time, it can lead to feelings of inauthenticity, social disconnection, and emotional exhaustion. This workshop will equip you with the knowledge and practical tools to help your neurodivergent clients embrace their true selves, navigate the complexities of unmasking, and build lives rooted in authenticity and self-acceptance. Led by an Autistic and ADHD clinical psychologist, this session offers an empowering and compassionate approach to supporting your clients’ journey toward living authentically.
Background to the workshop
The world is built on neuro-normative social rules that often conflict with the natural communication styles and preferences of Autistic individuals. While many Autistic people value honesty, directness, and consistency, these differences are frequently misunderstood by non-Autistic individuals, leading to misjudgments, communication breakdowns, and even social exclusion. To avoid these challenges, many Autistic individuals engage in masking by suppressing their differences and performing neurotypically. While masking can offer a sense of safety in social interactions, it often comes at a heavy emotional cost, leaving individuals feeling disconnected from their authentic selves and undervalued for who they truly are.
As therapists, we are uniquely positioned to help our clients navigate this journey of unmasking and self-acceptance. However, the process is complex and fraught with risks, such as rejection or misunderstanding from others. This workshop will address the critical need to support neurodivergent clients in reclaiming their authenticity while ensuring they feel safe and empowered in their choices.
What you will gain from this workshop
By attending this workshop, you will:
- Gain a deep understanding of what masking entails and the emotional and psychological toll it takes on Autistic individuals.
- Learn how to help clients build a sense of belonging and self-worth by recognising and embracing their Autistic differences as integral parts of their identity.
- Explore how to support clients in navigating the challenges of unmasking, including context-specific considerations and sharing their identity with friends, family, or colleagues.
- Equip yourself with practical tools to empower your clients to live more authentically, while also respecting their need for safety and choice in different social settings.
This workshop will provide you with actionable insights and therapeutic strategies to help your clients live more fulfilling, authentic lives aligned with their neurodivergent identity.
About this workshop
This 2-hour workshop is designed to be highly interactive and practical, combining mini-lectures, real-world case examples, and experiential exercises. You will benefit from the expertise of an Autistic and ADHD clinical psychologist who brings both professional insight and lived experience to the session. Through guided discussions and reflective activities, you will learn how to integrate these strategies into your therapeutic practice and better support your neurodivergent clients in their journey toward authenticity and self-acceptance.
Who will benefit from this workshop?
This workshop is ideal for therapists and psychologists who understand neurodiversity-affirming practice and have a sound understanding of Autism and neurodivergence who are looking to deepen their skills in working with neurodivergent clients. It is particularly suited to professionals who are committed to fostering self-acceptance and authenticity in their clients while addressing the unique challenges of unmasking. Whether you work with diagnosed or undiagnosed Autistic individuals, this workshop will provide you with valuable tools to enhance your clinical practice.
This is an intermediate level workshop. If you require an introduction to the topic of working with neurodiversity, check out our on-demand workshop with Jennifer Kemp: Working with neurodivergent adults: Developing self-compassion and self-acceptance
Feedback from previous attendees on Jennifer’s workshops
“It was absolutely everything that I had hoped it would be and more and I have gained so many resources and new thinking and feel much better equipped to work with my neurodivergent senior medical and public health leader clients. I can honestly say this is the best training I have done for many years.”
Dr Fiona Day MBChB, FFPH, CPsychol Medical & Public Health Leadership Coach
“Excellent experience, highly recommended.”
Lou Gane, Neurodiversity-Affirming Health Coach
“The presentation itself was so interesting and informative. The resources have also been great.”
Julie McKendry, Behaviour Analyst