This year, in collaboration with Fiona Gregory, we are launching an exciting series of person-centred events related to working with trauma (Scroll down to read more about upcoming events in this conference series) ⬇️
With a mixed lecture-discussion format, this workshop presents conditions of worth as a form of relational trauma, especially in the neurodivergent context. Participants will examine and discuss basic and more advanced concepts and topics from the person-centred and emerging neurodiversity literatures. Participants will examine foundational definitions of neurodiversity and neurodivergence and engage in discussion around autism spectrum conditions; conditions of worth; the double empathy problem/perspective; intersectionality and neurodivergence; language ideas and debate in neurodiversity; the insidiousness of societal neuro-normativity; psychological contact from a Rogerian perspective; the importance of empathy, congruence, unconditional positive regard, and non-directivity in work with neurodivergent persons; and the tension between knowing-about and being-with neurodivergent conditions. Theories and concepts of person-centred therapy will be applied for an understanding of the nature of neurodivergence, based on the facilitator’s lived autistic and ADHD experiences.
Learning Objective Participants Can Expect From This Event
- Participants will learn basic definitions of neurodivergence and neurodiversity and be able to apply these in their work with clients
- Participants will examine and reflect on mutuality and reciprocity in the therapy room, consider the nature of “encounter,” and engage in discussion on how these factors may differ with neurodivergent persons
- Participants will apply Carl Rogers’ concept of conditions of worth to the neurodivergent context and examine and discuss ways in which neurodivergent persons experience such conditionality in their lives
Who is This Workshop Appropriate For?
- appropriate for both those new and experienced with the person-centred approach, and those new to the concepts of neurodiversity and neurodivergence.
How May This Workshop Impact Your Practice?
- Participants will learn about emerging concepts in neurodiversity studies and ways that these can be integrated with a person-centred way of working in psychotherapy.
Course Content
Presenter
Matt Bolton is a multiply-neurodivergent (autistic and ADHD) individual studying for a Master’s degree in clinical social work at Saint Leo University (United States; Florida). Matt has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in psychology, is a professor of psychology at Saint Leo University, and has experience as a crisis counsellor with the US-based Crisis Text Line. He has been part of that organization since early 2021 and recently was selected to assist with a new pilot program collaboration between Crisis Text Line and Kids Help Phone in Canada. Matt, passionate about the person-centred approach, works through and is a member of the Center for Studies of the Person and is a member of the Association for the Development of the Person-Centered Approach.
I presently have 3 articles, titles below, which are forthcoming in The Person-Centered Journal and Renaissance newsletter of the ADPCA
De-centering neuro-normativity is an imperative in humanistic psychotherapy: Towards a neurodiversity-informed, person-centered approach
On the further de-centering of therapeutic neuro-normativity: Psychological contact to meet the needs of persons on the autism spectrum
Three ideas in person-centered, neurodivergent-affirming therapy
