Neurodiversity-Affirming DBT

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Date: Friday, January 17, 2025

Time: 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET

Delivery: Synchronous Virtual Classroom via Zoom

The neurodiversity paradigm recontextualizes divergences of mind seen in autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others as natural variations in human development and experience. Members of neurodivergent communities have become active authors and participant researchers in identifying barriers to clinical care. Through their advocacy, new models of best practice for working with cognitive and sensory-focused approaches to flourishing have emerged. These models open novel, inclusive, and effective possibilities for currently practiced gold-standard interventions, potentially revolutionizing our clinical practice.  

One such intervention is DBT. As the neurodiversity model moves barriers created by neurodivergence out of a deficit-based disability model and into a social, relational model, new possibilities for Hegelian approaches to the dialectics of acceptance and change come into focus. Holistic, individualized sensory-profile-based approaches to mindfulness practice and nervous system regulation meet contemporary cognitive approaches and offer clients tools to analyze thought processes and chains of events in the context of power and sociopolitical location, the history of the body through trauma, and the truth of their equal worth and dignity.

In this workshop, we’ll explore the mechanics of neurodiversity-affirming, relational approaches to Dialectical Behavior Therapy. We’ll discuss how to enhance engagement in neuroinclusive DBT by centering the philosophical and existential components of the modality in ways that invite and revivify agential identifications and a sense of being seen and heard in both group and individual treatment settings  Particular topics of focus will be organized around the presentation of several clinical vignettes and will include using neuroinclusive dialectical reasoning to (1) negotiate structure (2) decenter authoritarian thinking, and (3) engage clients with pro-active rather than reactive approaches to accessibility, especially regarding core elements of DBT such as mindfulness practice.

Through discussion, lecture, case examples, and experiential practices, this workshop will strengthen the comprehension of and fluency in neurodiversity paradigms as applied to dialectical behavior therapy for clinical practitioners of all levels.

This workshop is appropriate for all levels of clinical practitioners.

Learning Objectives

In this program we will,

1. Explore the nuances of the neurodiversity paradigm, its relationship to relational approaches to well-being, and its relevance to clinical practice.
2. Use clinical vignettes as a resource for discussing and applying extant research and to understand the common barriers neurodivergent persons face with respect to clinical care.
3. Apply principles of neurodiversity-affirming relational approaches to the framework of Dialectical Behavior Therapy with individuals and groups.

Instructors

Ley David Elliette Cray, PhD (she/they) is Dialectical Programming Coordinator at Growth Thru Change. As a certified sexologist, sexuality counselor, mindfulness instructor, and trained philosopher, Ley specializes in helping clients through existential struggles related to gender, sexuality, and relationship diversity as well as neurodiversity.

Megan Lederman, MA, LPC (they/them) is a practicing psychotherapist in Philadelphia and is the founder of neuroinclusive relational DBT programming at Growth thru Change. When not in the consulting room, they are the Director of Clinical Programming for the intensive outpatient program at Charlie Health and are currently writing a dissertation in Philosophy and Social Thought at the European Graduate School in Saas Fe, Switzerland. In their spare time, they direct and support a small Cambodia-based village dog rescue. 

Cost | CEUs

Program Cost: $70

CEUs: 3

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