Working with Neuroqueer Clients Through Expressive and Relational Practice

6 CE Hours

Live on Zoom

Nov 7

9-4p PT

Register by Oct 31st to receive the introductory rate of $129.

Ethics is about more than following a code. It’s about the relationships we create, the assumptions we carry, and whether the people sitting across from us feel safe enough to tell us the truth.

This course explores what ethical practice can become when we understand the quieter ways harm happens through misunderstanding, masking, misattunement, and the assumptions built into traditional models of care.

We’ll examine how masking, sensory experience, intersectional identity, relationship, and creativity reshape ethical decision-making when working with neurodivergent and gender-expansive clients —and how expressive and relational approaches can help them experience therapy as a place where they no longer have to disappear in order to belong.

You’ll leave with practical (and fun!) expressive arts interventions, a deeper understanding of the ethical complexity when working within these populations, and an intersectional clinical lens you can bring directly into your work with neurodivergent and gender-expansive clients.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Define neurodivergence and gender-expansiveness within an intersectional and clinically informed framework

2. Describe the impact of masking on mental health, identity development, and daily functioning

3. Identify at least three ways systemic and contextual factors influence clinical presentation and client experience

4. Explain the role of expressive arts interventions in supporting regulation, communication, and nonverbal processing in clinical settings

5. Demonstrate at least three expressive arts interventions appropriate for use with neurodivergent and gender-expansive clients

6. Apply intersectional, ethical, and culturally responsive considerations to case conceptualization and treatment planning.

Participants will receive:

• A certificate for 6 continuing education hours focused on clinical ethics (NBCC Approval No. SP-5360)

• Three Expressive Arts Interventions you can use right away

• A downloadable course handout and resource list

• One hour of scheduled breaks throughout the day

The course is taught by Mandy Parida, MA, LMHC. Mandy is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, expressive arts practitioner, writer, and founder of Different On Purpose. She holds a Master of Arts in Expressive Arts Therapies and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University and a Master of Music from the University of Kentucky.

For more than 25 years, Mandy has worked alongside neurodivergent and gender diverse children, adults, and families across clinical, educational, community, and expressive arts settings. Her work is grounded in the belief that there is more than one way to communicate, regulate, participate, make meaning, and belong.

Expressive arts are central to her practice. Rather than relying only on verbal insight, Mandy uses image, movement, metaphor, play, writing, and other creative processes as ways of accessing experience that may not fit neatly into language. This intermodal approach deeply informs how she thinks about ethics, access, autonomy, relationship, and clinical competence.

Through her work with neurodivergent and gender-expansive clients, Mandy has become increasingly interested in the ethical questions that emerge when traditional clinical expectations are treated as neutral: eye contact, punctuality, compliance, emotional expression, independence, gender norms, professionalism, and even what “progress” is supposed to look like.

Note: Participants will receive 6 CE hours. The program runs 7 hours, including 1 hour of scheduled breaks, which do not count toward CE hours. CE requirements vary by state; please check with your licensing board.

Accessibility & Accommodations
Different On Purpose, LLC is committed to accessible learning. To request an accommodation, email differentonpurposearts@gmail.com at least 7 days before the program. Live sessions include captions, and cameras are optional.

Completion Requirements
To receive a certificate for 6 CE hours, participants must attend the full live program (attendance is verified through Zoom), and complete the program evaluation and post-test.

Contact
Mandy Parida, MA, LMHC · Different On Purpose, LLC · Seattle, WA
differentonpurposearts@gmail.com · Contact form
Phone and mailing address available upon request.

Ethics Beyond the Norm: Working with Neuroqueer Clients Through Expressive and Relational Practice has been approved by NBCC for NBCC credit. Different on Purpose, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. NBCC Approval No. SP-5360.

After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email. A few weeks before the course, you’ll receive the Zoom link, course agenda, and a brief description of everything you’ll need for the day (including suggested art supplies!).

Participant Policies (Refunds, Cancellations, Complaints, Confidentiality, & Security)

What Clinicians Are Saying

“I would absolutely recommend this training to others. It was well put together, organized, accessible, accommodating and filled with relevant discussion.” — L.W., LPC

“This course is a MUST for clinicians (and all humans!)” — M.F., LMHC

“As an AuDHD clinician, with multiple other identities & intersectionalities, this was personally & clinically validating.” — Anonymous, LPCC

October 2026 participant evaluations: 94% positive satisfaction ratings · 4.78/5 presenter rating (n=9)