Training Event: Neuropsychology and Neurodiversity in Counselling

This one day training will be split into two parts, in the morning attendees will explore the concept of 'Neurodiversity' and what it means to be Neurodivergent'. This session will aim to  introduce the common neurodevelopmental conditions that come under the term “neurodivergent”, including autism, ADHD, Dyslexia etc. Attendees will then look at the traits and features of these conditions and how these diverse ways of thinking, learning, processing and behaving can be integrated into counselling. Attendees will also have a chance to briefly explore and reflect on how and why is it necessary to adapt the traditional approaches to make the therapeutic relationship more effective. 

The second session in the afternoon will focus around 'Integrating Neuroscience into Counselling Practice'. Attendees will be introduced to basic neuroanatomy and neuropsychology principles. Specifically, how the human nervous system responds to threat and how counselling aims to support this ingrained behavior, integrating aspects of the morning sessions. The training will finally consolidate the day’s session with the aim to reflect on how you as a counsellor builds on the understanding of neuroscience and aspects around your clinical practice. 

This training will be led by Dr Shanti Shanker, CPsychol. FHEA. Dr Shanti is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology & Member of the Ageing and Dementia Research Centre (ADRC: www.bournemouth.ac.uk/adrc) at  Bournemouth University. She is also the founding Trustee of a Charity Sheetal Astitva (Pune, India) supporting local  mental health, research and education initiates (https:sheetalastitva.com)