Presented by Stephanie Kollar, MA, LMFT
2 CE credits
This event will be recorded and distributed to registrants. If you are unable to attend live, you can earn 2 CE credits by watching the video and passing the post-test. Please register by Thursday, July 17, 2025.
Last day to register: Thursday, July 17, 2025
Overview of Presentation
Led by a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been diagnosed with autism, this presentation guides clinicians through a deep exploration of neurodivergence, trauma, and the challenges in recognizing and understanding neurodivergent clients. Drawing from both lived and professional experience, the course provides a framework to reduce ableist perspectives, enhance therapeutic rapport, and apply an anti-ableist, affirming worldview to clinical practice. The presentation will delve into the nuances of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and Complex PTSD (CPTSD), highlighting how these conditions intersect and how therapists can more accurately identify and support neurodivergent clients. Participants will leave with practical tools to navigate sensory processing needs, adapt existing evidence-based practices, and reframe their approach to neurodivergence for more inclusive and effective care.
Educational Goals
Identify and understand the lived experience of neurodivergence, while reducing ableist identification of neurodivergence. By reframing neurodivergence through an anti-ableist, affirming worldview, clinicians will be equipped to enhance their approach to trauma-informed care and adapt their practices to better serve neurodivergent clients.
Measurable Objectives
- Differentiate 3 differences between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Complex PTSD (CPTSD), identifying the key similarities and differences between these conditions.
- Recognize and address 3 common areas of misdiagnosis, especially in clients of color, and understand the implications of such misdiagnoses.
- Explore 3 strategies for adapting existing evidence-based practices to meet the unique needs of neurodivergent clients.
About the Presenter
Stephanie Kollar, MA, LMFT, has a diverse background in mental health work, including field-based family therapy with families living in poverty and navigating high levels of intersectional identities. Specializing in neurodivergence, trauma, anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges, Stephanie developed a keen ability to differentiate between subtle diagnostic distinctions and recognized the importance of honoring neurodivergent differences. She has also provided short-term, evidence-based care for adults and now runs a private practice focused on anti-ableist, affirming care for neurodivergent individuals. As a professor in the Master’s of Clinical Psychology program at Antioch University Santa Barbara, her alma mater, Stephanie specializes in the intersection of neuroscience and anti-ableist mental health care. Identifying as both autistic and ADHD (AUDHD), she integrates her lived experience into her work, helping students and colleagues better understand and engage with the neurodivergent experience.
Course Outline
- Understanding Neurodivergence: Breaking Down the Key Differences Differentiating ASD, ADHD, and CPTSD: A Venn diagram to explore key similarities and distinctions.
- The Neurodivergent Experience: A Deep Dive into Autism, ADHD, and CPTSD Autism Spectrum Disorder: A closer look at the lived experience of individuals on the spectrum, with an emphasis on sensory processing and trauma.
- Reframing Neurodivergence: Moving Beyond Ableism
- The Harm of “High and Low Functioning” Labels: Understanding how these labels harm clients and contribute to an ableist worldview.
- Practical Application: Enhancing Therapy with Neurodivergent Clients. Nervous System Basics and Sensory Processing: An overview of the nervous system’s role in neurodivergence and the importance of sensory processing in Therapy. Practical tools and techniques for creating a sensory-friendly environment
- Adapting Evidence-Based Practices for Neurodivergent Clients. Existing Therapies and Neurodivergence: Identifying the overlap between evidence-based practices and neurodivergent needs.
- Building Rapport: Creating a Strong Therapeutic Alliance with Neurodivergent Clients. Effective Communication Strategies: How to adapt communication styles. Establishing Trust and Safety.
Target Audience
Licensed psychologists, licensed social workers, licensed professional counselors, licensed marriage & family therapists, and pre-licensed professionals.
CE Certificates
Course meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
East Bay Chapter of CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (Provider #52488) to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs. East Bay Chapter of CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
Please note: Certificates of Completion will be awarded after the completion of the workshop to those who attend the workshop in its entirety and complete the course evaluation form.
Consider Joining East Bay CAMFT
We invite non-members to consider joining East Bay CAMFT. Licensed Membership/Community Partner Fee: $75/annually Pre-Licensed Associate/Student/Retired Membership Fee: $50/annually
REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY
- Cancellations made between 5 and 15 days prior to the event will receive a 50% refund.
- No refunds will be given for cancellations within 5 days of the event, no-shows, or failure to attend due to emergencies.
- Unused funds cannot be applied to future events.
- No exceptions.
- If the event is canceled, you will receive a full refund.
- By registering for this event you agree to the terms of the Cancellation/Refund Policy.
Accommodations
For general information, special needs, ADA accommodations, or grievances: Please contact Sandy at admin@ebcamft.org. You will receive a response within 24 hours. Note: Deadline for requesting ADA accommodations is two weeks prior to the workshop so that we may have time to properly accommodate you.
