Therapist doing clinical training at Neurodiversity Training Center for continuing education on neurodiversity, autism and ADHD
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APA-Approved Continuing Education (CE)

Calendar icon representing a neurodiversity course offered through Neurodiversity Training Center for CE credits

Fireside Chat: Three IFS Therapists Explore the Nuances of Applying IFS with Neurodivergent Clients

Instructors

Kim Bolling, PsyD, Maddisen Espeseth, PsyD, and Tasha Oswald, PhD

Instructional Level

Intermediate

Description

In this fireside chat, three IFS therapists come together for an honest, reflective conversation about the practical nuances of applying Internal Family Systems (IFS) with neurodivergent clients. Drawing from both clinical experience and lived insight, they explore how common neurodivergent traits can actually support parts work, while also discussing the obstacles that may arise in traditional IFS approaches.

Through this warm, conversational format, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to integrate neuroaffirming strategies into IFS, helping create a more accessible, respectful, and effective therapeutic experience for neurodivergent clients.

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify four neurodivergent traits that can facilitate IFS work
  2. Identify three common obstacles in implementing IFS with neurodivergent clients
  3. Integrate neuroaffirming strategies with IFS to support neurodivergent clients

Continuing Education

1 CE Credit offered

Calendar icon representing a neurodiversity course offered through Neurodiversity Training Center for CE credits

AI Psychosis in Autistic Individuals: Understanding Risk, Prevention, and Intervention

Instructors

Jennifer Gerlach, LCSW | Host: Tasha Oswald, PhD

Instructional Level

Introductory

Location

Online (Instant Access)

Description

In this course, participants will explore the emerging phenomenon of AI-induced psychosis, in which interactions with artificial intelligence may contribute to delusional thinking or distorted beliefs. The course provides a foundational overview of psychosis, how AI may act as a trigger, and why autistic clients may be particularly vulnerable.

Through a neuroaffirming lens, clinicians will learn how to recognize key risk factors and apply practical strategies to support autistic clients who may be experiencing or at risk for AI-induced psychosis. The course emphasizes reducing isolation and strengthening real-world connection.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  1. Describe AI-induced psychosis.

  2. Identify four risk factors for AI-induced psychosis among autistic individuals.

  3. Apply at least three practical, neuroaffirming strategies to support clients experiencing or at risk for AI-induced psychosis.

Bio

Jennifer Gerlach, LCSW, (she/her) is a psychotherapist in southern Illinois and person with lived experience of psychosis and autism. She specializes in autism, psychosis, mood disorders, and young adult mental health. She is the author of The Psychosis and Mental Health Recovery Workbook: Activities for Young Adults from ACT, DBT, and Recovery-Oriented CBT.

Continuing Education

1 CE Credit offered

Calendar icon representing a neurodiversity course offered through Neurodiversity Training Center for CE credits

Neurogrief: Understanding the Complex Grief from a Late Autism Diagnosis

Instructors

Danielle Sheppard, LPCC | Host: Tasha Oswald, PhD

Instructional Level

Introductory

Location

Online (Instant Access)

Description

In this course, participants will be introduced to the concept of neurogrief, a complex grief process that can emerge when someone discovers their neurodivergence later in life. We’ll explore how this grief may present emotionally and clinically in clients with a late autism diagnosis, and why it is often unrecognized or misdiagnosed.

Clinicians will learn how to recognize signs of neurogrief and implement neuroaffirming strategies to support clients as they process their experiences, related trauma, and move toward self-acceptance.

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify five signs of neurogrief in clients processing their late autism diagnosis.
  2. Distinguish at least three ways grief may present differently in autistic clients compared to non-autistic clients.
  3. Implement at least four practical strategies for supporting autistic clients experiencing neurogrief.

Bio

Danielle Sheppard, LPCC, (she/her) is a neuroaffirming therapist and educator who creates a compassionate, inclusive space for clients to explore grief, identity and self-connection through an affirming, IFS-based lens. She specializes in supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals with an approach that fosters authenticity, self-understanding, and gentle processing towards growth.

Continuing Education

1 CE Credit offered

Calendar icon representing a neurodiversity course offered through Neurodiversity Training Center for CE credits

Neuroqueer: Understanding the Intersectionality of Neurodivergent and Queer Identities in Clinical Practice

Instructors

Cindy Brown, LPCC | Host: Tasha Oswald, PhD

Instructional Level

Introductory

Location

Online (Instant Access)

Description

In this course, participants will explore the intersection of queerness and neurodivergence, introducing neuroqueer as an identity. The course examines the systemic and socio-cultural realities of living at this intersection, including discrimination, internalized stigma, masking as a survival strategy, and heightened mental health risks.

Through case examples and a trauma-informed lens, clinicians will learn how to provide empowering, non-pathologizing support that challenges neuronormative and heteronormative narratives while strengthening resilience and agency in neuroqueer clients.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the concept of neuroqueer through an intersectionality lens.
  2. Explain how systemic oppression, discrimination, and societal hostility impact the mental health of neuroqueer individuals.
  3. Apply neuroaffirming and queer-affirming strategies to support neuroqueer clients in clinical practice.

Bio

Cindy Brown, LPCC, (she/her) is a neurodiversity-affirming licensed psychotherapist, clinical consultant, and educator. She identifies as neuroqueer, and consults with other clinicians to support autistic individuals with multiply marginalized identities, including LGBTQIA+ and gender diversity. Her expertise extends to working with twice-exceptional, high-masking folks and parents of neurodivergent transitional age youth (TAY).

Continuing Education

1 CE Credit offered

Calendar icon representing a neurodiversity course offered through Neurodiversity Training Center for CE credits

Mixed-Neurotype Couples: Addressing Neuronormative Expectations and Double Empathy Problems to Build Mutual Understanding

Instructors

Kim Bolling, PhD | Host: Tasha Oswald, PhD

Instructional Level

Intermediate

Location

Online (Instant Access)

Description

In this course, participants will explore the dynamics of mixed-neurotype relationships, with a focus on how neuronormative expectations and double empathy differences can create misunderstandings and conflict between partners. We’ll also examine neurodivergent traits that are commonly misinterpreted by partners, leading to further conflict and disconnection.

Through case examples and a neuroaffirming framework, clinicians will learn practical strategies to help partners better understand each other’s needs, communication styles, and ways of relating, fostering more supportive and collaborative relationships.

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe how neuronormative expectations and double empathy differences may show up in mixed-neurotype couples.

  2. Identify three commonly misunderstood neurodivergent traits that can impact relationships.

  3. Apply practical, neuroaffirming strategies to help mixed-neurotype partners build mutual understanding and connection.

Bio

Kim Bolling, PsyD (she/her) is a Licensed Psychologist, Certified IFS Therapist and an approved IFS-I Clinical Consultant. Kim is a Co-Lead Trainer for Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO). She is based in southern New Hampshire where she maintains a private practice specializing in work with mixed-neurotype couples and complex PTSD.

Continuing Education

1 CE Credit offered

Calendar icon representing a neurodiversity course offered through Neurodiversity Training Center for CE credits

Psychosis and Autism: Understanding Risk, Differences, and Evidence-Based Interventions

Instructors

Jennifer Gerlach, LCSW | Host: Tasha Oswald, PhD

Instructional Level

Introductory

Location

Online (Instant Access)

Description

sychosis is often misunderstood and stigmatized, yet it’s common in the general population. This course examines why autistic individuals may be at increased risk for psychosis, and how high levels of stress, trauma, and environmental overwhelm can contribute to its onset.

Through a neuroaffirming lens, clinicians will learn how to distinguish between a rich internal experience and emerging psychosis, and how to apply practical, compassionate interventions to support autistic clients experiencing psychotic symptoms.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  1. Describe key similarities and differences between autism and psychosis.

  2. Recognize at least three factors that may increase psychosis risk in autistic individuals.

  3. Apply two practical strategies to support autistic clients experiencing psychosis.

Bio

Jennifer Gerlach, LCSW, (she/her) is a psychotherapist based in Southern Illinois who specializes in psychosis, mood disorders, and young adult mental health. She is the author of The Psychosis and Mental Health Recovery Workbook: Activities for Young Adults from ACT, DBT, and Recovery-Oriented CBT.

Continuing Education

1 CE Credit offered

Logo for Autism Certification Course about Adult Autistic Clients

Certified Autism Specialist Beginner-to-Advanced Training on Neuro-Affirming Care

Instructor

Tasha Oswald, PhD

Location

Online (Instant Access)

Certification

Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS)

Description

This autism certification program provides over 20 hours of comprehensive training on how to effectively work with autistic adults and teens. Offering step-by-step skills, insights, and interventions to understand and support the unique mental health concerns our neurodivergent clients face, such as autism-related trauma, autistic burnout, and masking.

You’ll end this program with the skills, knowledge, and a complete treatment framework, so you can effectively work with this underserved client population.

You’ll be eligible to become a Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS), recognizing you as a skilled and competent clinician to provide neuro-affirming care. You will gain:

  • In-depth knowledge into the autistic client’s lived/day-to-day experience
  • Step-by-step guidance for the screening and referral process
  • Neuro-affirmative guidelines and clinical strategies
  • Start-to-finish treatment planning, including goal setting and collaborative care
  • Trauma-informed treatment tailored for autistic clients
  • Powerful IFS therapy, CBT, DBT interventions tailored for autistic individuals
  • Techniques to nurture self-awareness, self-acceptance, emotion-regulation, and self-advocacy skills
  • Self-reflection exercises to identify and address your own neuro-normative biases as a therapist
  • And much more!

Bio

Dr. Tasha Oswald (she/her) is the founder of the Neurodiversity Training Center and a licensed psychologist. She has dedicated her career to educating clinicians in neuroaffirming care after witnessing the erasure and harm neurodivergent clients often face in healthcare systems

As a neurodivergent clinician herself, Tasha enjoys helping other professionals explore their own neurodivergence. Learn more about Tasha.

Continuing Education

20+ CE Credits offered through PESI

Neurodiversity Training Center is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
Neurodiversity Training Center maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
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