Relationship Issues in Therapy with Neurodivergent People

Interpersonal relationship issues are among the most common problems encountered in outpatient therapy. Even if the client enters with a different initial concern, the content of individual psychotherapy frequently gravitates toward this topic. The therapist should be equipped to address or redirect this material to ensure the client’s goals remain the guiding principle of the sessions.

With clients who are neurodivergent or who have neurodivergent family members, a thorough understanding of the effects of neurodivergence on relationships is necessary to reinforce the therapeutic alliance and supports clients’ perspective-taking. Working with couples, chosen family or other relationship configurations frequently demands knowledge of neurodivergence to adapt and accommodate the therapeutic approach for client needs.

After attending this intermediate-level program, participants will be able to:

• Apply 3 advantages reported by neurodiverse populations to their relational lives.
• Employ their knowledge of typical neurodivergent difficulties to identify tactics that reduce the frequency and intensity of concerns.
• Use 2 case examples to debate their clinical reasoning.

This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.1: Program content focuses on application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that have overall consistent and credible empirical support in the contemporary peer reviewed scientific literature beyond those publications and other types of communications devoted primarily to the promotion of the approach.

This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 3: Program will allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.

This program meets AASECT Core Knowledge Area for:

B — Developmental sexuality from a bio-psycho-social perspective across the lifespan.

C —Socio-cultural factors (e.g. ethnicity, culture, religion, spirituality, socio-economic status, family values) in relation to sexual values and behaviors.

H — Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices.

This program meets AASECT Sexuality Therapy training for:

C — Theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems experiencing sex and intimacy problems.

General Admission: $40

The Chicago School Faculty/Staff/Alumni: $30*

Students: $20*

(*Please email [email protected] for coupon code)

Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.

Kate McNulty, LCSW

Kate McNulty has been in private practice since 1999 and previously worked in Emergency Departments. She trains and consults with mental health professionals and agencies on neurodiversity, relationship therapy and sex therapy. She has sought out specialized diagnostic training due to work in demanding Emergency Department settings. Their knowledge has developed over the past 20+ years in private practice and arriving at accurate diagnosis remains an ongoing clinical fascination. Kate is certified as a Gottman Therapist and Trainer and an AASECT Sex Therapist and Supervisor.

Kate Davis, LCSW

“I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Oregon since 2008, and I have decades of experience working with couples and individuals in community mental health and private practice offering collaborative therapy with a diverse range of individuals and couples. My clients have described me as authentic, humorous, and easy to be around. I strive to create a safe environment that supports people in their therapeutic journey, helping them navigate life in a way that brings them meaning and contentment.”

Mitran, C. L. (2021). A new framework for examining impact of neurodiversity in couples in intimate relationships. The Family Journal, 30(3), 437–443. https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807211063194

Smusz, M., Allely, C. S., & Bidgood, A. (2024). Broad perspectives of the experience of romantic relationships and sexual education in neurodivergent adolescents and young adults. Sexuality and Disability, 42(2), 459–499. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-024-09840-3

Young, S., & Cocallis, K. (2023). A Systematic Review of the Relationship Between Neurodiversity and Psychosexual Functioning in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Volume 19, 1379–1395. https://doi.org/10.2147/ndt.s319980

Target Audience: Masters and Doctoral level psychotherapists and counselors.

Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.5 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods. 

Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159

Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036

MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 2.5 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.

Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for 2.5 CE credits. The Office of Continuing Education at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has been approved as an AASECT Provider of continuing education credits! Provider number 23-519-CW. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact [email protected].

National Board. This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 2.5 NBCC Clock Hours. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 3036. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Non-Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.

*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.

If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.