• course Info
  • Content
  • Ce Approvals

Autism in Therapy: What Needs to Change Now

CE Hours 1.5

About this course

Recording of the live clinical conversation on neurodiversity-affirming care with Kory Andreas, Martha Sweezy, and Sarah Bergenfield Many clinicians have not received formal training in neurodiversity-affirming approaches to autism, resulting in a gap between traditional therapeutic models and the lived experiences of autistic clients. This 90-minute live webinar brings together leading clinicians for a dynamic, unscripted conversation on how current approaches may fall short, and what needs to change in clinical practice. Participants will explore common areas of misattunement, examine the limitations of pathology-based frameworks, and learn how to shift toward more effective, acceptance-based care. Through case-informed discussion and integrative dialogue, this session will provide actionable strategies clinicians can apply immediately to improve therapeutic outcomes with autistic clients.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify at least three ways traditional therapeutic approaches may lead to misattunement with autistic clients.
  • Differentiate between pathology-based and neurodiversity-affirming frameworks in clinical practice.
  • Apply at least two practical strategies to improve therapeutic alignment with autistic clients.
  • Describe how internal experiences (e.g., protective responses, parts) may present differently in autistic individuals.

Learning Levels

  • Beginner
  • Intermediate

Target Audience

This educational activity is intended for behavioral health professionals, including Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, and MFT's.

Course Instructor(s)

  • Kory Andreas, LCSW-C

    Kory Andreas, LCSW-C, is a clinical psychotherapist and Autism specialist with extensive expertise in Neurodivergent-affirming care and education. With over 20 years of experience in therapy, supervision, and consulting, Kory is deeply committed to advancing affirming practices across therapeutic, educational, and workplace settings. She supports Neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ individuals through diagnostic work, direct care, and systemic change efforts. Sought-after speaker on modern Autism and Neurodivergent relationships, Kory is known for translating clinical insight into engaging, relatable instruction. She provides dynamic, accessible psychoeducational content and consultation that promotes empathy, inclusivity, and practical strategies for supporting Neurodivergence across diverse environments.

    As a skilled presenter and content specialist, Kory develops and delivers accessible, impactful psychoeducational content for broad audiences. Through dynamic speaking engagements and Neurodiversity-affirming training sessions, Kory promotes awareness, empathy, and best practices, fostering inclusive and affirming approaches to Neurodivergence. Known for her passionate advocacy, her work reflects a deep commitment to education and the advancement of supportive practices in the field.

  • Martha Sweezy, PhD

    Martha Sweezy, PhD, is an Assistant Professor part-time in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, a research and training consultant at the Center for Mindfulness & Compassion at the Cambridge Health Alliance, and a psychotherapist in private practice. She writes a blog on topics related to IFS for Psychology Today, and co-hosts a podcast called System Updates: IFS Chitchat. She has co-edited, authored, and co-authored eleven published books on various applications of Internal Family Systems (IFS), including Wired to Feel: Autism as a Condition of Sensory Surplus. She teaches IFS therapy nationally and internationally. Website: https://marthasweezy.com

  • Sarah Bergenfield

    Sarah Bergenfield is a consultant and educator specializing in autism in forensic and clinical contexts. Her work focuses on how differences in perception, arousal, and predictive processing influence behavior, communication, and decision-making. She provides consultation and training to clinicians, legal professionals, and interdisciplinary teams, with a focus on how differences in perception, arousal, and uncertainty shape behavior and decision-making. Sarah is a Certified Level 3 IFS Practitioner.

    She is the co-author of Wired to Feel, a #1 new release in neuropsychology on Amazon.

Disclosure

DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity ― including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests). The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity’s planners, faculty, and the reviewer: PLANNERS AND REVIEWER The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships. FACULTY The faculty of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

References

  • Botha, M., Hanlon, J., & Williams, G. L. (2023). Does language matter? Identity-first versus person-first language use in autism research: A response to Vivanti. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 53(2), 870-878. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04858-w
  • Bottema‐Beutel, K., Crowley, S., Sandbank, M., & Woynaroski, T. G. (2021). Research review: Conflicts of interest (COIs) in autism early intervention research–a meta‐analysis of COI influences on intervention effects. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 62(1), 5-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13249
  • Heasman, B., Williams, G., Charura, D., Hamilton, L. G., Milton, D., & Murray, F. (2024). Towards autistic flow theory: A non‐pathologising conceptual approach. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 54(4), 469-497. https://doi.org/10.1111/jtsb.12427
  • Shear, T., Ayoub, M., Cejas, D., Christy, A., Holler-Managan, Y., Labrie, U., King, H., & Kim, Y. M. (2025). Neurodiversity-affirming clinical care: Principles and pearls. Journal of child neurology, 40(9), 799-803. https://doi.org/10.1177/08830738251340268
  • Turnock, A., Langley, K., & Jones, C. R. (2022). Understanding stigma in autism: A narrative review and theoretical model. Autism in Adulthood, 4(1), 76-91. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2021.0005

CE Process Info

Content

  • Autism in Therapy Webinar Recording
    1 parts
    • Autism in Therapy: What Needs to Change Now
  • Joint Accreditation

    Joint Accreditation (JA)

    In support of improving patient care, CE Learning Systems is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

  • American Psychological Association (APA)

    Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

  • New York Education Department's State Board for Social Work (NYEDSW)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #0060.

  • New York Education Department Board of Creative Arts Therapy (NYSEDCAT)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board of Creative Arts Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #CAT-0008

  • New York Education Department for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (NYSEDLMHC)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0072.

  • New York Education Department Board for Licensed Psychoanalysts (NYSEDLP)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychoanalysts as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #P-0031.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology (NYEDPSY)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #PSY-0016.

  • New York Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy (NYEDMFT)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MFT-0045.

Autism in Therapy: What Needs to Change Now
You Have Completed This course
$29.99
You are enrolled
  • CE Hours
    1.5
  • Type
    Self-Paced
  • Publication Date
    Apr 30th, 2026

Reset password


Reset your password by providing your email below





Next

We sent a reset password link to the email address you provided.


{{reset.email}}


If you do not see the email, try checking your junk or spam folder.


If you don't receive a link in the email you provided, please click the button below to resend the verification email.

Resend

Please wait {{timer}} seconds to resend



Next

Sign in


Enter your email to get started.




Next

Sign in


Good news! Your email is associated with an account. Enter your password or click here to reset it




Login

Thanks for signing up!


We sent an verification email to the address you provided. Please check your email to verify your email address.


{{signup.email}}


If you do not see the email, try checking your junk or spam folder.


If you don't receive a link in the email you provided, please click the button below to resend the verification email.



Resend

Please wait {{timer}} seconds to resend

Sign up




Sign up

Shopping Cart


Items
Price
Remove

  • {{ item.name }} ({{ item.courses.length }} courses)

    {{ item.credit_hours }} Credits
    {{ item.coupons.map((c)=> c.code).join(', ') }}
    ${{ item.totals.price }}
    ${{ item.totals.total_price }}
Apply


Cart is empty

${{ $store.state.profile.data.totals?.price }}
Total ${{ $store.state.profile.data.totals?.total_price }}
Continue Shopping Checkout

Thank you for your purchase


To access the course content, click the button below. Enrolled courses may be accessed at any time by going to your Account and clicking Courses


Go to Course

Thank you for your purchase

To access your courses, please click the button below. Enrolled courses may be accessed at any time by going to your Account and clicking either Events or Courses


My Account

Payment

{{$store.state.payment.paymentErrorMessage }}
Pay now