Webinar: An Introduction to Autism for Gestalt Therapists

Description:

Psychotherapy isn’t meeting the needs of the autistic population. Autistic patients often report psychotherapy is unhelpful and at times harmful and suicide is the leading cause of death for autistic adults without co-occurring intellectual disability, occurring at a rate nine times higher than the general population (Hirvikoski, 2016). Gestalt Therapy’s focus on awareness, without trying to fix or change, is well matched to the needs of autistic patients, yet still requires additional training on autism (Narzisi, 2023). Understanding the common attributes and vast diversity of autistic people is a cultural competence that is often overlooked in psychotherapy and psychotherapy training. As Gestalt Therapists, learning about autism can enrich our ground and support us in better serving the autistic patients we work with. 

In this workshop, Jen will draw from her clinical and personal experiences, the lived experiences of others, and current research. The workshop will begin with foundational education on autism and autistic ways of experiencing the world. We will then move into the topic of practicing Gestalt Therapy with autistic patients. Workshop participants will explore principles of Gestalt Therapy including dialogue, field theory, and phenomenology, and how the process of therapy may have aesthetic differences when working with an autistic patient.

About your Presenter:

Jennifer Jimenez Leong, LMFT is an autistic Gestalt Therapist certified by the Pacific Gestalt Institute (PGI). She is a former adjunct professor at Antioch University Los Angeles where she taught graduate-level Gestalt Therapy courses and current adjunct faculty at PGI. Jen maintains a private practice specializing in working with autistic patients and runs a consultation group for Gestalt Therapist trainees. Since realizing her autistic neurotype, Jen has sought to learn not only about her own autistic experience but also the diverse and often misunderstood experiences of the broader autistic community. Dedicated to inclusivity, she challenges stereotypes while educating and advocating for autism awareness and acceptance.

Cost:                    GANZ Members: $55. Non-GANZ Members: $95.

Purchase your tickets here!