1 CE credit hour on neurodiversity and fostering an affirming practice
Creating a Neurodivergent-Affirming Group Practice
presented by Patrick Casale LCMHC NCC
Creating an environment where everyone thrives is important to so many group practice leaders. But the current social context has shifted, and keeping your environment affirming for neurodivergent clinicians, staff, and clients has become more complex.
Join Patrick Casale LCMHC NCC, as he discusses neurodivergent-affirming leadership and strategies that promote equity, agency, and neurodivergent representation.
On Demand Self Study
Keeping Your Safe Space Safe
This 60-minute training is designed for mental health professionals who lead or are building group practices and want to foster environments that affirm neurodivergent clinicians, staff, and clients. Attendees will explore the principles of neurodiversity-affirming leadership, sensory and communication accessibility, inclusive hiring practices, and ethical supervision models. Emphasis will be placed on cultivating psychological safety, respecting unmasking and communication differences, and ensuring that policies and workflows support—not pathologize—neurodivergence. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to support neurodivergent professionals in thriving, reduce burnout and turnover, and build practices that are inclusive by design, not default.
Leadership Support
Define core principles of neurodivergent-affirming leadership and how they contrast with traditional hierarchical models.
Inclusive Lens
Describe two inclusive hiring or supervisory strategies that promote equity, agency, and neurodivergent representation.
Accessibility Focus
Identify three workplace adaptations that support neurodivergent clinicians in avoiding burnout and overstimulation.
Who is this event for?
This course is designed for group practice leaders. It is also suitable for practices that consist of 100% telehealth, or a mixture of in-person and telehealth treatment.
In Person Practices
Hybrid Practices
Teletherapy Only Practices
Thank you for the information and for making it so accessible. Somehow you take the driest material and make it fun and immediately relevant. You folks knock it out of the park!
Course Details
1 CE Credit Hour. Self-Study, On-Demand, Recorded Video Seminar CE training.
Title: Creating a Neurodivergent-Affirming Group Practice
Authors/Presenters: Patrick Casale, LCMHC
CE Length: 1 CE credit hours
Legal-Ethical CE Hours: none
Educational objectives:
Define core principles of neurodivergent-affirming leadership and how they contrast with traditional hierarchical models.
Identify three workplace adaptations that support neurodivergent clinicians in avoiding burnout and overstimulation.
Describe two inclusive hiring or supervisory strategies that promote equity, agency, and neurodivergent representation.
Syllabus:
|
Time |
Topic & Method |
|
0:00 – 0:05 |
Welcome, goals, participant poll on current leadership roles (Didactic + Chat/Poll) |
|
0:05 – 0:15 |
Defining neurodivergent-affirming leadership vs. traditional practice models (Mini-lecture + Case example) |
|
0:15 – 0:30 |
Workplace considerations: sensory accommodations, flexible schedules, asynchronous communication (Discussion + Practical tips) |
|
0:30 – 0:45 |
Inclusive hiring and supervisory strategies: values-based recruitment, anti-ableist policies, team dynamics (Lecture + Q&A) |
|
0:45 – 0:55 |
Addressing burnout, masking, and psychological safety in neurodivergent clinicians (Interactive reflection) |
|
0:55 – 1:00 |
Key takeaways, next steps, resource packet access (Wrap-up + Evaluation instructions) |
Meet Our Presenter
Presented by
Patrick Casale, LCMHC, NCC
Patrick Casale, LCMHC, NCC (he/him) is an AuDHD group practice owner, private practice strategist, TEDx speaker, international retreat leader, and host of two top-ranked podcasts for neurodivergent clinicians. He founded Resilient Mind Counseling and All Things Private Practice to help mental health professionals build sustainable, values-driven, and inclusive businesses. Patrick blends clinical expertise with lived experience to teach neurodivergent-affirming leadership and business development strategies that challenge status quo models. He has presented across the U.S. and abroad on burnout prevention, ethical leadership, and inclusive practice design.
References (APA 7th ed.)
- Arnold, S. R. C., et al. (2023). Neurodiversity-affirming work environments and leadership practices. Autism in Adulthood, 5(1), 12–25.
- Brown, H. M., & Woods, R. (2021). Neurodiversity-affirming practice in mental health: A clinician’s guide. Routledge.
- Nicolaidis, C. (2012). What can physicians learn from the neurodiversity movement? AMA Journal of Ethics, 14(6), 503–510.
- Schuck, R. K., et al. (2021). Unmasking in professional settings: Burnout and authenticity in neurodivergent clinicians. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 43(4), 313–326.
- Woods, R., & Milton, D. (2020). Ten principles for neurodivergent-affirming services. Autonomy, the Critical Journal of Interdisciplinary Autism Studies, 1(1).
Accuracy, Utility, and Risks Statement
This training is based on peer-reviewed research, first-person neurodivergent perspectives, and the presenter’s lived experience as a group practice leader. Content is intended to offer a framework for inclusive leadership and is not a substitute for consultation or supervision in specific employment decisions. Potential risks include overgeneralizing neurodivergent experiences or implementing strategies without collaborative staff input. Best practices to mitigate these risks—such as anonymous feedback loops, team co-creation, and inclusive policy review—are discussed in depth.
Conflicts of Interest
The presenter reports no relevant financial or non-financial conflicts of interest.
Commercial Support
None. This training received no financial or in-kind commercial support.