Bespoke Members
Introduction
On Friday October 3, 2025, Dr. Janie Hong delivered a half-day workshop on neurodiversity, and ways to adapt existing CBT formulations for clinical problems that take neurodiversity factors into account.
The event will be equivalent to 2.3/4hrs of CPD.
Content
Individuals diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) characteristically experience and navigate the world in ways that differ from expected norms. There is growing recognition that these differences should not be seen as symptoms of a disorder, but, rather, part of normal human variation, much in the same way as other diversity factors (e.g., race, sexual orientation). Because neurodiversity-related differences are often not readily apparent, assumptions are frequently made as to what a neurodivergent person should or should not be able to do. The psychotherapy context is no exception.
In this workshop, Dr. Hong will highlight how not including neurodiversity-related factors into the clinical formulation can lead to poor progress and, at times, harmful outcomes. Using clinical examples, she will walk through the ways neurodiversity-related differences can completely shift cognitive behavioural formulations of maladaptive or unwanted behaviours. She will then offer concrete ways to incorporate neurodiversity-related differences into the formulation while also ensuring an evidence-based approach to care. Throughout the presentation, Dr. Hong will use real-world clinical examples to inform concepts presented. The workshop aims to help clinicians feel empowered with ways to reframe difficulties that come with holding an (often invisible) minoritized identity and use existing evidence-based treatment strategies more effectively with neurodivergent individuals.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will learn to:
• Identify at least two ways existing CBT formulations for a clinical problem may be limited for neurodivergent individuals.
• Adapt case formulations to include neurodiversity factors
• Identify at least 2 ways that neurodiversity factors can change the treatment plan
• Provide affirming care using a cognitive behavioral framework.
• Shift their own behaviour to improve the inclusivity of the therapy context.
Training Modalities
This workshop will be a virtual live workshop that incorporates clinical case examples, didactics, interactive polls
Key References
Bury, S. M., Haschek, A., Wenzel, M., Spoor, J. R., & Hedley, D. (2022). Brief Report: Learning About Autism: Is the Source of Autism Knowledge Associated with Differences in Autism Knowledge, Autism Identity, and Experiences of Stigma. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10.1007/s10803-022-05823-5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05823-5
Henderson, D., Wayland, S., White, J. (2023). Is this Autism? A guide for clinicians and everyone else. Routledge: New York.
Henderson, D., Wayland, S., White, J. (2023). Is this Autism? A companion guide for diagnosing. Routledge: New York.
Pantazakos, T., & Vanaken, G. J. (2023). Addressing the autism mental health crisis: the potential of phenomenology in neurodiversity-affirming clinical practices. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1225152
Silberman, S. (2015). Neurotribes: The legacy of autism and how to think smarter about people who think differently. London: Allen & Unwin
About the presenter
Dr. Janie Hong (she/her) is a Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Anxiety and Depression Adult Psychological Treatment (ADAPT) Clinic at Stanford University School of Medicine. The ADAPT Clinic is the largest psychotherapy-focused clinic at Stanford and houses three large clinical programs, which include evidence-based care for mood and anxiety disorders, OCD and its related disorders, and neurodivergent individuals (ADHD program, Autism program). At Stanford, she leads clinical and trainee programming and oversees care within the ADAPT Clinic, supervises and teaches postdoctoral fellows and psychiatry residents, and provides individual patient care within the neurodiversity program.
Who should attend
This event is well-suited for clinicians seeking to advance their clinical skills (e.g., case formulation, treatment planning, interventions) in treating neurodivergent individuals. Although not required, having familiarity with existing CBT models and treatments will enhance the learning. Clinicians seeking to increase their skill in incorporating diversity factors, in general, into their practice will also benefit from this presentation.
Low Intensity clinical contact hours survey - BABCP Low Intensity Special Interest Group
Please click below if you are interested in contributing to the survey.
The BACP Low Intensity SIG are interested in the impact of clinical contact hours on Low Intensity/Wellbeing Practitioner wellbeing. This questionnaire contains six multi-choice questions and a free text box for you to share your experiences. The answers to these questions will help the BABCP SIG plan how to meet CPD topics and other developments within the SIG. The SIG hope to produce a write up of the answers to this questionnaire to be shared with SIG members and to be used in training.
This FREE conference is for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners working in Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression services and is brought to you by Bespoke Mental Health in collaboration with the NHS National PWP Leads Network.