NEXT COURSE: Day 1, 2nd October | Day 2, 3rd October | Day 3, 9th October | Day 4, 10th October

Understand. Connect. Empower.

Autistic individuals are often met with misunderstanding and inappropriate therapeutic approaches. This course offers a neuro-affirming framework that respects and embraces neurodivergent ways of experiencing the world — helping professionals move beyond outdated, deficit-based models of care.

About the Course

  • Duration: 14-hour CPD-accredited online training
  • Designed for: Therapists and professionals who work with autistic clients and want to deliver truly inclusive, effective support
  • Goal: To shift practice from neurotypical assumptions to a more affirming and empowering approach tailored to autistic needs

This course provides mental health professionals with the insights and tools necessary to support autistic clients in a way that values their unique experiences, challenges societal misconceptions, and enhances therapeutic outcomes.

Key Learning Outcomes

  • Deepen Understanding: Explore how autistic people experience the world, communication, emotions, and relationships.
  • Challenge Myths: Debunk stereotypes and avoid pathologising differences.
  • Create Safety: Learn how to adapt your therapeutic environment and communication style to create a sense of safety and trust.
  • Support Autonomy: Promote self-advocacy, resilience, and positive identity development in your clients.
  • Improve Practice: Gain confidence in working with autistic clients using up-to-date, affirming frameworks.

Unique Feature: Live Question Time Panel

A powerful part of the training includes a Live Panel Discussion featuring autistic individuals who share:

  • Lived Experiences: Real-life insights into navigating therapy, life, and identity
  • Practical Strategies: Firsthand suggestions for what works — and what doesn’t
  • Open Q&A: A chance for you to engage directly and deepen your understanding through honest conversation

This session brings a vital, authentic dimension to the training that books and theory alone cannot offer.

Meet Your Trainers

Led by Ruth Williams, Deborah Wortman and Mark Berry of Aspire Autism Consultancy. Our trainers are of mixed neurotypes with a long-standing commitment to neuro-affirming practice.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is essential for professionals including:

  • Psychotherapists
  • Counsellors
  • Coaches
  • Mental Health Practitioners
  • Educational Professionals
  • Anyone seeking to support autistic individuals more effectively
Course Format

  • Interactive Presentations: Engaging content designed to challenge and inspire
  • Case Studies: Real-world examples that bring theory into practice
  • Live Q&A with Autistic Panelists: A rare opportunity for open, unfiltered dialogue
  • Downloadable Resources: Tools and materials to support your ongoing work
Details

This course offers a total of 14 hours CPD and is currently being offered online via Zoom and is being delivered as 4 separate morning webinars.

The 2025 dates are as follows:

Day 1 – Thursday, 2nd October 2025

Day 2 – Friday, 3rd October 2025

Day 3 – Thursday, 9th October 2025

Day 4 – Friday, 10th October 2025

Times:   9:30 am – 1:00 pm each day

Cost:     £360 for all 4 modules

You may also be interested in attending, “ADHD in the Therapy Room“, which enables practitioners to learn how to best support their ADHD clients, as well as recognising ‘how’ and ‘when’ it may be important to refer individuals for diagnosis and treatment.  If you would like to learn more about supporting clients who are in neurodivergent relationships, we offer a course called “Working with Neurodivergent Couples in Therapy”. 

This 14 hour course will supplement your couples counselling training, enabling you to support relationships where one or both partners may be Autistic or have ADHD.  The course is also suitable for practitioners who support ‘individual’ clients to navigate neurodivergent relationships, as they will gain insights and learn of strategies which can assist their clients.

Sign Up Here

Join our “live” interactive online training course

  • By clicking the box below you agree that £100 of your payment is non-refundable and that the total amount is non-refundable from three weeks before the course.
  • £ 0.00

If you wish to pay in instalments, please send an email to aspiretraining2015@gmail.com

A Neuro-Affirming Approach to Working with Autistic Clients

“This course offered invaluable lived experience, deepening my understanding of the challenges faced by people with Autism.

The delivery was well-paced, and Mark’s insights—along with the panel discussion—were especially helpful and brought real-life depth to the training.

Aspire’s Autism courses are the best online courses I’ve attended.”

Psychotherapist

A Neuro-Affirming Approach to Working with Autistic Clients

“The trainers’ knowledge and personal experiences were conveyed in an easy to understand manner.  In my opinion this was invaluable training for me, both professionally as a lecturer and personally as a parent of a child who has a neurological disorder”

Lecturer and Parent

A Neuro-Affirming Approach to Working with Autistic Clients

“Thank you Ruth and Deborah. Great course! Please keep me abreast of training and you webinars. This has really helped me.”

Delegate

A Neuro-Affirming Approach to Working with Autistic Clients

“Thank you the course has been so helpful, affirmed a lot of what I am doing, but also lots to think about. Also a wonderful group.”

Delegate

A Neuro-Affirming Approach to Working with Autistic Clients

“I have worked in FE for 13 years and can honestly say this was the most interesting, informative and enjoyable CPD session I have ever done!”

Lecturer and Parent

ADHD in The Therapy Room – A Neuro-Affirming Approach

“Having a panel of neurodivergent people was genius and an absolute privilege.”

Delegate

ADHD in The Therapy Room – A Neuro-Affirming Approach

“Very pleased that I booked on this course as it is a topic which was not covered when I trained to be a counsellor.”

Counsellor

ADHD in The Therapy Room – A Neuro-Affirming Approach

“… so many things I hadn’t been aware of which will undoubtedly inform my practice and help me to support clients who display ADHD traits. “

Relational Counsellor

ADHD in The Therapy Room – A Neuro-Affirming Approach

“Thank you, Ruth and Deborah for sharing all you know and have experienced, not just as therapists but as parents too”

Psychotherapist

ADHD in The Therapy Room – A Neuro-Affirming Approach

“Your deep understanding of ADHD was excellent and the fact that you brought many real-life examples from your work, enhanced my learning process. Your ability to provide inclusive enough training for therapists using different approaches was greatly appreciated. The case studies used were particularly helpful in illustrating the concepts discussed. I valued learning from experts with lived experience that has helped me to develop my empathy when working with neurodivergent clients.”

Dagmara Levene, Integrative Therapist

ADHD in The Therapy Room – A Neuro-Affirming Approach

“Ruth and Deborah are both exceptional and highly knowledgeable trainers. The ADHD training was remarkably comprehensive, meaningful, and perfectly tailored to the needs of student support services in higher education. The sessions were well-structured, offering a seamless transition between theory, experiential work, reflection, and the lived experiences of the panel. I wholeheartedly recommend this training.”

Chris Haylock, Head of Counselling Services, Cambridge University

Working With Neurodivergent Couples and Relationships: A Neuro-Affirming Approach

“As a neurodivergent counsellor with a neurodivergent partner, I found the course both personally and professionally valuable.

It was accessible, well-paced, and thoughtfully delivered by Ruth and Deborah, with a strong focus on not ‘othering’ either partner—reinforced by the Q&A panel.

The mix of small group discussions and wider sharing was enriching. I left feeling inspired and highly recommend this course. Thank you!”

Debbie Challinor, Counsellor & Psychotherapist