Therapeutic work with neurodiverse adults
Workshop program:
– Discuss key issues related to working with neuroatypical adults;
– Recognizing autism spectrum, ADHD and other neuroatypical traits – how to spot subtle signals and different forms of manifestation of these traits in clients;
– Understanding the needs, difficulties and resources of neuroatypical individuals – how to build a therapeutic relationship in a supportive manner, taking into account the unique ways in which individuals on the autism spectrum and ADHD process information and respond to stimuli;
– Differences in the clinical picture in men and women – why ASD is still considered the “domain” of boys and men, and what the “female” picture of neuroatypicality looks like;
– Masking symptoms – compensation mechanisms used by neuroatypical people, their impact on mental health and how to recognize them in the office;
– Differential diagnosis – what to pay attention to so as not to confuse neuroatypical traits with personality, affective or post-traumatic disorders;
– Tips for therapeutic work – how to adapt methods of work to the needs of neuroatypical people, taking into account their style of communication, emotional processing and approach to relationships;
– Case study – analysis of real cases, discussion of therapeutic strategy and exchange of experience.
Therapeutic work with neurodiverse adults – about the presenter:
Lena Zielska – certified Gestalt psychotherapist, psychologist with a specialization in clinical diagnosis, crisis interventionist, EMDR therapist.
I specialize in psychotherapeutic work with adults experiencing developmental crises, identity problems, relationship and relationship difficulties. Client issues that are close to my heart also include personality disorders, depressive and anxiety disorders, PTSD and complex trauma, chronic stress, student and work problems, bereavement, disability. My passion is working with dreams, which I use in my daily clinical practice. I work with individual patients and with groups.
As a psychologist, I provide psychological diagnosis and opinion, especially in the areas of neurodiversity (ADHD and autism spectrum) and personality.
I am a 5-year graduate of Clinical Psychology, as well as post-graduate studies in Psychological Diagnosis and in Psychology of Crisis and Crisis Intervention. I completed four years of training at the School of Gestalt Therapy. I am certified as an EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy) and a certified EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist. I am guided by the ethical codes of the Polish Association for Gestalt Psychotherapy and the Polish Psychological Association, and I regularly receive supervision and specialized training.
Professionally, I was affiliated for many years with SWPS University of Humanities and Social Sciences, where I provided psychological support to students and staff, conducted trainings, created educational programs on mental health and support for people with disabilities. I belong to the team of the Crisis Intervention Psychologists Service at Chopin Airport. I have gained professional experience in a number of clinical and research centers, and have been in private practice since 2015. I also work as an academic lecturer and as a trainer at the Warsaw Gestalt School.
Privately, I am a vegetarian, a lover of literature and yoga, and I dive.