Working Therapeutically with Autistic Clients — Course Overview

At a Glance

This is a specialist CPD course for qualified counsellors and psychotherapists who want to work more confidently, ethically, and effectively with autistic clients. The course takes an autism-affirming, neurodiversity-informed approach — focusing on understanding lived experience rather than pathologising difference.

Who Is It For?

This course is designed for:

• Qualified counsellors and psychotherapists
• Practitioners working (or planning to work) with autistic and neurodivergent clients
• Therapists seeking ethical, affirming CPD rather than medical-model training
• Those working towards a counselling qualification who are currently working with clients

To enrol, you need to:

• Hold a diploma-level counselling or psychotherapy qualification (or equivalent), or be working towards one and currently seeing clients
• Belong to a professional body and work within an ethical framework
• Attend regular supervision and undertake CPD as required by your professional body
• Have a computer with a camera, microphone, and a reliable internet connection
• Be available for a one-day live online implementation workshop (Sunday, 10am–4pm)
• Have capacity for approximately 39 hours of flexible, self-directed online learning

What Does the Course Cover?

The course is structured across seven modules, covering:

• Understanding neurodivergence and autism from a strengths-based perspective
• Communication differences and the double empathy problem
• Adapting the therapeutic environment and process
• Autism-related experiences including masking, alexithymia, interoception, and sensory processing
• Autism and trauma
• Diversity and intersectionality within autism, including gender, culture, and LGBTQIA+ experiences
• The role of supervision and ongoing professional development

Rather than teaching a single technique, the course supports you to adapt how you work therapeutically so your practice is more accessible, responsive, and affirming for autistic clients.

Professional and Ethical Focus

The course places strong emphasis on:

• Ethical and respectful practice with autistic clients
• Seeing the person, not the diagnosis — "people not pathology"
• Creating accessible and client-centred therapeutic environments
• Awareness of diversity within autism
• Ongoing learning, supervision, and research-informed practice

How Is It Delivered?

• 1 full-day live, tutor-led online implementation workshop
• 39 hours of self-directed online learning, completed at your own pace
• A blended approach including video lectures, interviews with individuals who have lived experience of neurodivergence, downloadable resources, reflective tasks, and suggested reading
• Access to a private course learning community for peer connection and discussion
• Reflective journaling as part of the course requirements (not submitted or assessed)

Time Commitment

• Live training: 1 full-day online workshop (Sunday, 10am–4pm)
• Self-directed study: flexible, completed around your existing commitments
• Total learning time: 45 hours of CPD

Certification

• A certificate evidencing 45 hours of CPD, suitable for professional body requirements
• A downloadable badge for use on your website and marketing materials

Fees and Payment

• Course fee: £298.99
• Flexible payment options available, including a 3-month payment plan
• All live teaching, learning materials, and certification are included
• 30-day money-back guarantee

How Do I Find Out More or Enrol?

Visit the course page to download the handbook and see upcoming start dates:

Working Therapeutically with Autistic Clients — course page

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the course use a medical model of autism?

A: No. The course takes an autism-affirming, neurodiversity-informed approach. It focuses on understanding lived experience and adapting your practice, not on diagnosis or deficit-based frameworks.

Q: Do I need to be fully qualified?

A: You need to hold a diploma-level qualification or be working towards one and currently seeing clients.

Q: Can I pay in instalments?

A: Yes. Flexible payment options are available, including instalments.

Q: How flexible is the self-directed learning?

A: Very flexible. The 39 hours of self-directed content can be completed at your own pace around your existing commitments. The only fixed time is the one-day live workshop.

Still Need Help?

Our support team is always on hand if you get stuck.

Email us at support@counsellingtutor.com and we will be happy to help.