Training Opportunities

Wednesday May 10, 2023

10:00AM-12:00PM PST

2 CEUS -  Approved by The Washington Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (WAMFT) for LMFTs, LMHCs, and LICSWs.

Total Cost:  $75 

*Links for the webinar will be sent out to the registered email address 24-48 hours prior to the start of the presentation.

Dr. Sara Woods, Ph.D. (née O’Neil) is a clinical psychologist in private practice at Discover

Psychology Services and also works at UW Autism Center in Tacoma.  Dr. Woods provides neurodiversity-affirming comprehensive assessments to people of all ages (toddlerhood through adulthood), as well as providing therapy, consultation, and education. Dr. Woods has published research on autism, executive functioning, stereotypes, and emotion socialization. Dr. Woods is often sought after for consultation because of her strengths-based perspective.

Dr. Woods has a strong lifespan approach having worked with infants through elderly in a

variety of settings, including schools, clinics, prison, and inpatient settings. In addition to autism

and ADHD, Dr. Woods has experience with multiple presenting issues anxiety, mood disorders,

intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, and trauma-related struggles. Dr. Woods is

passionate about promoting the neurodiversity movement within the academic, research, and

clinical worlds.

Therapists will be challenged to apply the neurodiversity paradigm to how they think about

autistic clients and clients with ADHD. Up-to-date information from the research literature will

be combined with input from the autistic community. In addition to gaining a greater understanding of autism and ADHD in general, therapists will be better equipped to combat the ableism that can negatively affect our work and will gain confidence in effectively helping neurodivergent clients.

 This workshop will introduce the concept of neurodiversity and discuss how to apply the neurodiversity paradigm to working with autistic clients and clients with ADHD. The social model of disability will be introduced. Therapists will be given an overview of the meaning of autism and ADHD under the medical model, which will be contrasted with strength-based community models. Issues of intersectionality will also be explored and some of the ways that autistic and ADHD experiences can vary for different individuals based on gender, age, and culture will be discussed. Unique considerations for working with autistic clients and clients with ADHD in the therapy room will be offered, including strategies for maximizing their strengths, using communication strategies that work for them, and considering their unique sensory needs. Tools for identifying and combatting ableism in the therapy room will also be offered. Therapists will come away with an ability to see their clients through a neurodiversity-affirming lens, which will lead them to be more compassionate and confident clinicians. 

The Northwest Therapy Group offers multiple options led by licensed clinicians certified as Compassion Fatigue Professionals

Compassion Fatigue and Resilience Training:

Dates TBD