Neurodivergence and spirituality
Neurodivergence and spirituality
How can we ensure our faith communities and therapeutic spaces offer safety and belonging for everyone? For many neurodivergent individuals, the desire for spiritual community is met with misunderstanding, exclusion or even spiritual harm.
This interactive online training brings together Christian counsellors and church pastoral support workers to explore the vital intersection of neurodivergence and spirituality. Moving beyond general advice, this session unpacks five critical areas: belonging, theology, spiritual bypassing, safeguarding and navigating vulnerability.
Whether you are supporting a client in the therapy room or a member of your faith community in a pastoral setting, this training will be both informative and challenging with the intention of equipping delegates to provide inclusive, safe and supportive environments for neurodivergent believers.
Suitable for: counsellors, student counsellors, pastoral carers and coaches
Learning outcomes
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Identify some of the spiritual strengths and challenges experienced by neurodivergent believers.
- Recognise the critical intersections between sensory processing, communication differences and faith practices.
- Evaluate current faith and therapeutic environments to identify barriers to true belonging and inclusion.
- Address and mitigate risks of spiritual bypassing, exclusion and spiritual harm within faith or therapeutic settings.
- Implement practical, safe and inclusive strategies for pastoral care, safeguarding, and clinical support.
Trainer
Kate Mendez is an accredited counsellor and experienced trainer who is passionate about ensuring that both counselling and faith communities are genuinely safe, inclusive spaces for neurodivergent individuals. With an extensive background in both clinical practice and service management, Kate has led and developed care initiatives across a variety of settings, particularly within community and university counselling services. Her blend of clinical insight and leadership experience equips her to provide practical, impactful training that relates to the realities of both professional therapy and pastoral support contexts.
Ticket options
Standard
Non Members cost £60
Members cost £45 (please login to access your discount)
If you have a Counselling organisational membership and would like to book more than one place (you are entitled up to five places at members rate) please click here to complete a request booking form.
Saturday 23rd Jan, 2027, 09:00 - 14:00
Please login or continue with your booking
Please note that the price specified is for one person. If you are from the same organisation/household, please book separately and use separate devices to join the training.
Please also note we do not offer refunds; in exceptional circumstances, please email office@acc-uk.org (this does not affect your statutory rights).
This training will take place on zoom and will not be recorded.