Clinical Training

Foundations of Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy

Reducing therapeutic barriers and supporting authentic expression in neurodivergent clients.

  • 2.25 NBCC CE Hours

  • 2.25 CPD Hours

  • 4 Clinical Resources

  • Completion Certificates

    Rethinking Therapy Through a Neurodivergent Lens

    About This Training

    • Autistic and ADHD clients often face barriers in traditional therapy, from sensory overwhelm to masked communication. This foundational training reimagines clinical care through a neurodivergent-affirming lens, helping you create a more spacious, identity-affirming therapy environment.

      Grounded in clinical practice, lived experience, and emerging research, Dr. Neff introduces the S.P.A.C.E. model — Sensory, Predictability, Acceptance, Communication, Empathy — originally developed by Doherty, McCowan, and Shaw for healthcare settings and here adapted for therapeutic work. You’ll gain practical strategies to reduce barriers, build trust, and foster authentic self-expression for neurodivergent clients.

      The training includes lecture-style instruction, clinical examples, and guided reflections designed to support the learning objectives and facilitate application in clinical and supervisory settings.

    Training Overview

    What You'll Learn

    By the end of this training, you will be able to:

    • Identify key barriers that Autistic and ADHD clients face in traditional therapy settings, including sensory overwhelm and masked communication, and explain how these barriers impact safety and connection.
    • Apply the S.P.A.C.E. framework (Sensory, Predictability, Acceptance, Communication, Empathy) to create therapy environments that affirm neurodivergent identities and support authentic self-expression.
    • Demonstrate strategies for honoring communication diversity, co-regulation, and power-sharing in therapeutic interactions with neurodivergent clients.
    • Integrate neurodivergent-affirming practices into clinical or supervisory settings, using client-ready visuals and tools to enhance predictability, acceptance, and trust.

    What's Included

    • 2.25 hours of on-demand video content
    • Deep dives into cross-neurotype interactions with accompanying visual guides
    • Training companion handouts to support learning and integration of the material
    • Discover Your Sensory Profile Worksheet to help clients identify and reflect on their unique sensory experiences
    • 3 printable handouts that can be used to simplify complex concepts and support psychoeducation with clients
    • Slide deck PDFs with NDI’s signature high-visual design
    • Written transcripts for accessibility and easy reference
    • 2.25 NBCC CE hours and an NBCC Certificate of Completion
    • 2.25 CPD hours and a CPD Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience

    This training is ideal for:

    • Licensed professional counselors (LPC, LMHC, LPCC, LCPC) and National Certified Counselors
    • Psychologists, therapists, social workers, and other clinicians working with Autistic or ADHD adults
    • Coaches seeking a more neurodiversity-affirming, identity-centered approach to care and support
    • Supervisors or educators integrating affirming practices into training spaces
    • While this is a clinical training designed for providers, late-identified or self-questioning neurodivergent adults have also found this training meaningful.

    Course Level

    This training would be considered an intermediate level. It is ideal for clinicians with a general background in mental health who are newer to working with Autistic and ADHD adults through a neurodivergent-affirming lens.

    Contents & Materials

    A photograph of Dr. Megan Anna Neff speaking into a podcast microphone.
    Speaker Bio

    Dr. Megan Anna Neff

    Dr. Megan Anna Neff is an AuDHD clinical psychologist, author, and educator who founded Neurodivergent Insights after discovering she is Autistic and ADHD. 

    Through Neurodivergent Insights, she and her neurodivergent-led team create visual-forward resources that blend research, clinical insight, and lived experience. They support individuals, clinicians, and communities — helping neurodivergent people feel seen, validated, and empowered in systems that often miss them.

    Course Format

    This course is exclusively online, fully self-paced, and on-demand (meaning it's immediately accessible). You will maintain ongoing online access through your account.

    Technology Needed

    You will need reliable internet connection and a device capable of streaming video and accessing the digital downloads included in this course.

    Prerequisites

    There are no formal prerequisites. This is intermediate-level content intended for mental health professionals (or any interested adult).

    Accessibility

    This course is designed to be accessible and ND-affirming. Videos include captions and transcripts, learning is self‑paced, there are no time limits, and resources are digital.

    Please contact us for additional accommodations:

    Guaranteed Security using one of the most advanced encrypted systems on the market.
    The information in this page is being processed and encrypted securely using industry-leading encryption and fraud prevention tools.

    Terms & Conditions

    Stay Connected

            • support@neurodivergentinsights.com

    CPD & CE FAQ's

    Learn more about our course CPD & CE/NBCC hours and certificates here.
    Neurodivergent Insights is an accredited CPD provider with The CPD Standards Office, Provider No. 50780.
    Neurodivergent Insights has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 8139. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Neurodivergent Insights is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
    Copyright © Neurodivergent Insights 2026