What does masking mean for neurodivergent people? In this workshop we will explore why, how and when neurodivergent people may mask, the ways in which it is rewarded, and the costs of masking. Masking can happen instinctively with minimal awareness; it can be a trauma response, a learned coping strategy, or a carefully-chosen and skilful self-presentation. We will look together at the various ways in which neurodivergent people may make decisions about “coming out”, finding ways and safe contexts to unmask, some possible consequences of unmasking, and how others can support these processes.
Learning Objective Participants Can Expect From This Event
- Understand the many forms of masking and self-presentation that may be present for neurodivergent people, particularly autistic people and those with ADHD.
- Discover ways to unmask safely, for yourself and/or creating possibilities for your therapy clients to do so.
- Explore ways to mask when necessary, without losing a sense of identity.
Who is This Workshop Appropriate For?
- Therapists of all neurotypes wanting to understand and work with neurodivergent clients, and neurodivergent individuals wanting to reflect on their own masking.
How May This Workshop Impact Your Practice?
- Increase self-awareness (for yourself and/or your clients) by discovering aspects of the self that have been hidden by masking, and create safe spaces for yourself and/or others to fully express themselves.
Course Content
Presenter
Dr Emma Taylor is a Clinical Psychologist with over twenty years of experience working with neurodivergent adults and children in clinical, diagnostic and academic contexts. She works therapeutically with adults of all ages, genders and neurotypes, as well as carrying out formal diagnostic assessments for autism and ADHD, and providing supervision to other therapists. She has been practising mindfulness for twenty years, and uses it as part of her therapeutic work.
