Training Opportunities

Learn to thrive w/ ADHD by managing symptoms, perfectionism, & relationships at our women's workshop, and leave feeling empowered!

3 Part Series Workshop:

Session 1: Exploring ADHD symptoms and what that means to women

Saturday, June 29th, 2024

Time 9:00AM-2PM PST

Session 2: Perfectionism. How to make this work for you. 

Saturday, July 13, 2024 

Time 9:00AM-2PM PST

Session 3: ADHD and relationships. Bring someone you want to learn with. 

Saturday, July 27, 2024 

Time 9:00AM-2PM PST

Location: The Olympia Center

 222 Columbia St NWOlympia, WA 98501  

Total Cost:  $50/ each session

-or-

All 3 for $140

Athena Grijalva is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 30 years of experience in the field of marriage and family therapy. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to providing compassionate and effective support to individuals, families, and communities facing a variety of challenges. With a diverse background in crisis intervention, assessment, diagnosis, therapy, and program development, Athena has established herself as a respected professional in the mental health field.

In 2021, Athena joined Northwest Therapy Group in Olympia, WA, where she assumed the role of Training Director and Clinical Supervisor. In this capacity, she was responsible for coordinating the NWTG Practicum and Internship program, providing training to staff, and offering clinical supervision to therapists. Her dedication to professional development and education led her to serve as an Adjunct Professor at Saint Martin's University, where she contributed to the Master of Arts in Counseling program, guiding future mental health professionals in their academic and clinical endeavors.

Athena's commitment to advancing the field of mental health extends beyond her clinical practice. She has been actively involved in providing continuing education programs for therapists through Northwest Therapy Group, as well as coordinating trainings for the Southwestern Washington Association of Behavioral Health (SWABH). Her expertise in training and curriculum development has been instrumental in equipping mental health providers with the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals and families effectively.

As a licensed therapist and experienced trainer, Athena remains committed to empowering individuals, fostering resilience, and promoting holistic well-being within her practice and beyond.

Empower and Thrive: A Workshop for Women with ADHD

Come join us for a day of inspiration, learning, and connection at Ebony and Ivory Coffee. This workshop is designed specifically for women with ADHD, providing a safe space to share experiences, gain valuable insights, and discover strategies to thrive in all aspects of life.

Our expert speaker will cover topics ranging from general ADHD symptoms, how to make perfectionism work for you, and ADHD in relationships where your partner is welcomed to join. You'll leave feeling empowered and equipped with practical tools to navigate the unique challenges that come with ADHD.

In this three part series, you can choose to attend any or all.

Title: Empower and Thrive: A Workshop for Women with ADHD

Host: Athena Grijalva, LMFT, NWTG Training Director/Clinical Supervisor 

Dates: Held on Saturday, June 29th, July 13th, and July 27th

Three part series

June 29th: General ADHD Symptoms

July 13th: Perfectionism

July 27th: ADHD and Relationships (Bring your partner)

Location: Ebony & Ivory Coffee Shop, 676 Woodland Square Lp SE, Suite A 105, Lacey, WA 98503

Time: 9:00AM to 2:00PM PST/ each session

9-11:30AM: Workshop

11:30-12PM: Lunch/Break

12-2pm: Workshop

Cost: $50/session or $140 when purchasing all 3 sessions

Occupancy: 20 people

Understanding and Supporting Women With ADHD: strengths, rejection sensitivity dysphoria, and gender specific considerations. 

Friday, April 19th, 2024 

Time 9:00AM-4PM PST

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

Total Cost:  $225

Early Registration: $205

Use code EARLY at checkout 

Group and Student rates available - Inquire HERE

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

Athena Grijalva is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 26 years of experience in the field of marriage and family therapy. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to providing compassionate and effective support to individuals, families, and communities facing a variety of challenges. With a diverse background in crisis intervention, assessment, diagnosis, therapy, and program development, Athena has established herself as a respected professional in the mental health field.

In 2021, Athena joined Northwest Therapy Group in Olympia, WA, where she assumed the role of Training Director and Clinical Supervisor. In this capacity, she was responsible for coordinating the NWTG Practicum and Internship program, providing training to staff, and offering clinical supervision to therapists. Her dedication to professional development and education led her to serve as an Adjunct Professor at Saint Martin's University, where she contributed to the Master of Arts in Counseling program, guiding future mental health professionals in their academic and clinical endeavors.

Athena's commitment to advancing the field of mental health extends beyond her clinical practice. She has been actively involved in providing continuing education programs for therapists through Northwest Therapy Group, as well as coordinating trainings for the Southwestern Washington Association of Behavioral Health (SWABH). Her expertise in training and curriculum development has been instrumental in equipping mental health providers with the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals and families effectively.

As a licensed therapist and experienced trainer, Athena remains committed to empowering individuals, fostering resilience, and promoting holistic well-being within her practice beyond. 

This training workshop aims to provide mental health providers with a comprehensive understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with a specific focus on gender differences, ADHD strengths, and Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) through a seven hour meet via Zoom (Link will be shared 24-48hrs before class date). Participants will gain insights into how ADHD manifests differently in men and women, learn to recognize and leverage ADHD strengths in clinical practice, and understand the impact of RSD on individuals with ADHD. Through interactive discussions and practical strategies, participants will enhance their ability to assess, diagnose, and treat ADHD while considering gender-specific needs and challenges.

Overview of Training Objectives and Agenda
Understanding ADHD in Women

• Gender-Specific Challenges in ADHD Presentation Social and Emotional Impact of ADHD in Women
• Coexisting Conditions and Comorbidities
  Exploring ADHD Strengths
• Defining ADHD Strengths and Their Importance
• Identifying Common Strengths in Women with ADHD
• Case Studies and Examples of Superpowers in Action
  Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)
• Definition and Characteristics of RSD
• Prevalence and Impact on Women with ADHD
• Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of RSD in Clinical Practice
  Assessment and Diagnosis
• Gender-Sensitive Approaches to ADHD Assessment
• Tools and Measures for Evaluating ADHD Symptoms in Women
• Considerations for Differential Diagnosis and Coexisting Conditions
  Treatment Approaches
• Cognitive-Behavioral Strategies for Coping with RSD and Improving Self-Esteem
• Integrating Gender-Sensitive and Strengths-Based Approaches into Treatment Plans
  Therapeutic Techniques for ADHD Strengths
• Incorporating Strengths-Based Interventions into Therapy Sessions
• Techniques for Cultivating Creativity, Focus, Resilience, and Empathy in Women with ADHD
• Utilizing Strengths as Resources for Coping and Self-Regulation
• Tailoring Treatment Plans to Address Gender-Specific Needs and Challenges
• Supporting Women in Navigating Relationship Difficulties and Social Expectations
• Recognizing the Impact of Hormonal Fluctuations on ADHD Symptoms
  Conclusion and Next Steps
• Summary of Key Takeaways from the Training
• Encouragement to Apply Learning in Clinical Practice
• Resources for Further Learning and Development

                 Q & A and closing remarks

• Open Floor for Questions, Comments, and Reflections
• Closing Remarks and Appreciation for Participants' Engagement
• Evaluation and Feedback Collection
  Post-Training Follow up
  Providing Resources, Handouts, and References to Participants
• Offering Ongoing Support and Consultation Opportunities
• Follow-Up Surveys to Assess Training Impact and Implementation in Practice

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