Working with Neurodiverse Client Systems

 Earn 3 CE Contact Hours

This workshop will equip mental health professionals with the knowledge and systemic interventions necessary to effectively support neurodiverse individuals and their families by moving beyond individual-deficit models toward relational and ecological frameworks.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify at least three specific systemic challenges that impact family dynamics when a family member is neurodiverse.
• Distinguish between the traditional “Linear View” and the “Circular View” of family interactions during case conceptualization for neurodiverse clients.
• Apply the principles of Critical Disability Justice to reframe one deficit-based narrative into a neuro-affirming support-needs perspective.
• Plan a “Framework of Neurodiversity Treatment” (F.O.N.T.) intervention by outlining the four augmented steps adapted from Minuchin’s model for a specific case vignette.
• Assess a couple’s dynamic for the “Double Empathy Problem” by identifying two distinct ways reciprocal misunderstandings contribute to conflict between neurodiverse and neurotypical partners.

Who Should Attend:

Mental health professionals, therapists, counselors, and social workers who work with neurodiverse individuals, couples, and families and want systemic, neuro-affirming frameworks and practical interventions.

Meet Dr. Anthony Pennant:

Dr. Pennant is an international speaker and seasoned clinician specializing in neurodiversity, LGBT+ relationships, and attachment and foster care, with a dedicated focus on research in systemic intervention. With a doctorate in Couple and Family Therapy from Antioch New England, Dr. Pennant has made significant contributions to the field by publishing numerous works, advancing the training standards of therapists and volunteer work in national and international professional organizations.

Based in Seattle, WA, Dr. Pennant operates a private practice where they provide therapeutic support and training, helping individuals and families navigate complex relational dynamics. Passionate about advocacy and education, Dr. Pennant engages audiences worldwide, sharing insights that promote understanding and inclusivity within diverse communities.