For Therapists
Liz is a respected leader in neurodiversity-affirming therapy, bringing nearly two decades of experience working exclusively with neurodivergent clients. Her training programs skillfully integrate clinical knowledge with creative methodologies, highlighting the interplay between art and science in this vital field. Liz is committed to educating and inspiring therapists, helping them to foster an environment where clients can unlock their potential and navigate their unique paths to success.
At the heart of Liz's methodology is a commitment to accessing each individual's distinct interests and strengths. She teaches therapists to stay curious to discover what truly motivates and engages their clients. By employing multimodal techniques—from drama and music to visual arts and movement—Liz demonstrates how to create a rich, stimulating environment that speaks to diverse cognitive, communication, and processing styles.
This approach not only makes therapy more accessible but also more effective, as it taps into the natural inclinations and talents of neurodivergent clients. Liz's training also emphasizes the importance of systemic work, guiding therapists in looking beyond the therapy office to consider the broader context of a client's life and addressing barriers in educational, family, and social systems. This blend of person-centered, systemic and multi-modal approaches creates a transformative space where neurodivergent clients can explore, grow, and thrive on their own terms.
Hear What Therapists are Saying about Liz’s trainings
“Liz’s method needs to be manualized and adopted as an ethical standard of practice NOW in the field — a needed paradigm shift for working with ADHD, Autistic, AuDHD kids/teens is far overdue. She gets it RIGHT and is GOOD and we need more clinicians to DO THIS WORK!!!NOW!!!”
“The passion and knowledge Liz displayed was infectious! This is a population that is often misunderstood by clinicians, let alone society at large, and her presentation was so educational and refreshing...and inspiring!”
“AMAZING! We need more Liz’s in the world so autistic people can feel validated, affirmed, and capable of success, however they define it! ”
“Liz McDonough’s approach to working with autistic young people and their families is a breath of fresh air as she provides an affirming framework to not only conceptualize how we as clinicians can best support this population but also gives us direction to enter their worlds
on their terms to create powerful shifts in their self-worth so that they can own the wholeness of who they are”
Advanced Training for Therapists Working with Neurodivergent Children, Teens and Adults Highlights:
Introduction to the Amazing Autistic Brain: Dive into the neuroscience of autistic development and learn about this incredible neurotype. Gain insight into autistic strengths and the concept of monotropism.
Understanding Unique Development: Explore the distinct developmental trajectories of autistic individuals, emphasizing how pressure to meet neuro-normative milestones can hinder healthy growth and increase anxiety.
Systemic Assessment and Collateral Work: Learn how to do a comprehensive assessment of each system in which your client is interacting. Understand which systemic barriers impact your client and the collateral work you can do to foster positive systemic change.
Understanding Unique Development: Get curious about the distinct developmental trajectories of your autistic clients, and assess if pressure to meet neuro-normative milestones is impacting mental health. Gain insight into how to support their unique development through a neurodiversity-affirming framework.
Sensory Challenges: Understand how sensory issues manifest in various environments, such as homes and classrooms, and learn how to support your clients with advocacy and accessing tools to manage. Support clients in accessing sensory delights for well-being and regulation.
Navigating the Social and Emotional World: Gain insight into the social challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals navigating a neurotypical world and how this impacts mental health and self-esteem. Learn how to support your neurodivergent clients in accessing and creating social spaces that center their social styles and preferences.
Identifying Strengths: Discover how to harness special interests as a psychological resource to increase self-agency and support self-regulation in therapy.
Creative Expression: Learn how to facilitate creative modes of expression—such as music, drama, storytelling, and art—that allow neurodivergent clients to navigate significant transitions and develop a robust self-narrative.
Using Drama and Storytelling: Learn how to incorporate storytelling, music and drama into your therapeutic work to build a window into each client's inner life.
Managing Anxiety: Explore how using narrative therapy, drama, and drawing techniques supports clients in managing anxiety effectively.
Praise for Liz’s therapeutic work
A true revolutionary in this field, Liz has a unique gift in that she brings together intellectual prowess, clever wit and her love for all things theatrical skillfully filtered through the lens of a gifted drama therapist. Watching Liz’s creativity at work and bearing witness what she gets out of her students is extraordinary.
Through her own journey she has gained a wealth of knowledge and has supervised and mentored many therapists in supporting neurodivergent students in accessing their true potential and finding their resilience. I know I wouldn’t be the therapist I am today without her.
— Jenna Howard Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist