Schema Therapy for Neurodivergent Individuals: Affirming Difference and Supporting Positive Change

Single-day workshop. Neurodiversity and Mental Health: From Science to Psychotherapy (NOT Schema Therapy Specific)

Up to 20% of the population is neurodivergent, including but not limited to autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. Neurodivergence extends far beyond the classical ‘white male’ presentations still dominating handbooks and includes masked, difficult-to-recognise phenotypes. When unnoticed, neurodivergence may appear as chronic depression, anxiety, PTSD, or ‘personality disorders’ that prove resistant to both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment. A mismatch in communication between people of different neurotypes—the double empathy problem—and limited training in working with neurodivergent clients can lead to strained therapeutic relationships and poor clinical outcomes.

This workshop is designed for therapy professionals seeking to deepen their understanding and skills in working with mental health difficulties of autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, and otherwise neurodivergent individuals. We will examine contemporary approaches to neurodiversity, including transdiagnostic frameworks, non-classical female and masked phenotypes, and the neuroscience underpinning clinical needs. Exploring the distinct mechanisms behind chronic depression, anxiety, cPTSD, eating disorders, and substance use in this population will support more accurate, neurodiversity-informed conceptualisation and intervention. Finally, we will practise adapting psychotherapy to accommodate the needs of neurodivergent minds and bodies, enabling more attuned and effective therapeutic work.

The workshop will include didactic teaching, case discussions, and practical skills training.

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is suitable for diverse mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists, nurse therapists, and other allied health practitioners, at any career stage.

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

• Recognise different neurodivergent presentations, including masked and non-classical phenotypes
• Identify neurobiological mechanisms relevant to mental health in neurodivergent individuals
• Understand how neurodivergence intersects with trauma, depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance use
• Adjust psychotherapeutic techniques to cognitive, sensory, and communication needs
• Reduce misunderstanding and strengthen therapeutic alliance across neurotypes
• Improve engagement and therapeutic outcomes for neurodivergent clients

This workshop takes place on Monday 20th July.

This workshop is NOT related to Schema Therapy.

Lunch, morning and afternoon tea are all included with this event.

Three-day workshop. Schema Therapy for Neurodivergent Individuals: Affirming Difference and Supporting Positive Change

Autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other forms of neurodivergence are associated with a heightened risk of mental health difficulties, including cPTSD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance use. Without appropriate adjustments, both psychotherapy and medication often provide limited benefit. Many individuals with complex neurodivergent presentations turn to schema therapy as a second-line approach when other treatments have not helped.

Schema therapy, a flexible, relationship-based, and trauma-focused approach, can be an excellent fit for neurodivergent clients when delivered by a neurodiversity-informed practitioner who understands their cognitive, sensory, and emotional needs. In this three-day course, we will learn to conceptualise neurodivergent traits within a schema therapy framework, distinguishing them from schemas and coping modes, and adjust the techniques accordingly. The workshop will specifically focus on therapeutic reparenting, empathic confrontation, chair dialogue, and imagery rescripting. We will see how insights from various disciplines, from neuroscience to special education, can be coherently integrated into schema therapy practice.

The workshop will include didactic teaching, case discussions, and practical skills training.

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is suitable for mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists, nurse therapists, and other allied health practitioners, at any career stage. A basic knowledge of neurodivergence and schema therapy is required; those who are not yet confident in neurodiversity-informed practice are encouraged to attend the general workshop beforehand.

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

• Develop neurodiversity-informed schema therapy conceptualisations
• Integrate insights from neuroscience and special education into schema therapy practice

• Distinguish between neurodivergent traits and dysfunctional modes
• Adjust mode work and chair dialogues for neurodivergent clients
• Understand the intersection between neurodivergence and use imagery rescripting to meet the neglected special needs of neurodivergent clients
• Have fun together with the neurodivergent Happy Child

• Support the neurodivergent Health Adult in developing self-compassion and coping with social demands.

This workshop takes place from Tuesday 21st to Thursday 23rd July.

This events includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea on each day.

Participants are able to purchase tickets for day 1 only, days 2-4 only or all 4 days.

About the trainer

Dr Olga Dobrushina, MD, PhD, is a Counselling Psychologist (HCPC, UK), Advanced Accredited Schema Therapist (ISST), and a Lecturer at the Department of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Olga is neurodivergent herself, and she has been working with Autistic and ADHD clients for over ten years, as a medical doctor, psychologist, and team leader. As a researcher, Olga focuses on the mind-body connection, autism, and digital health interventions. Olga is passionate about bridging neuroscience and practical applications, improving outcomes for those with complex mental health difficulties and preventing these difficulties by seeing and meeting the needs of every individual across the human neurodiversity.

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations: Up to 14 days in advance, payment will be refunded, minus a $50 administration fee. At less than 14 days notice, there will be a refund of 50% of the fee. No refunds will be made under 5 working days prior to the commencement of the event.