Please note this is an intermediate/advanced-level workshop suitable for experienced therapists.

This workshop explores an integrative approach to identifying and addressing therapeutic challenges with neurodivergent clients using the Play Therapy Dimensions Model (PTDM) as a framework for clinical decision-making in psychotherapy.

Participants will learn to recognise when specific therapeutic approaches aren't meeting client needs and how to flexibly shift between directive/non-directive and conscious/non-conscious dimensions based on individual preferences. The session emphasises how thoughtful integration of approaches can be more effective than rigid adherence to single methodologies. Through case studies and experiential activities, attendees will practise applying the PTDM's quadrants to develop individualised intervention strategies that honour neurological differences, sensory profiles and communication preferences.

Creative arts therapists will find particular relevance in discussions of how various modalities naturally align with different PTDM quadrants, offering additional pathways for engagement when traditional approaches stall. This neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed approach emphasises collaborative adaptation based on client feedback and therapeutic response. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Apply the Play Therapy Dimensions Model as a clinical decision-making framework to identify when current therapeutic approaches are not effectively meeting the needs of neurodivergent clients and determine which quadrant shift may be most beneficial.
• Develop collaborative strategies that meaningfully engage neurodivergent clients in evaluating therapeutic effectiveness and guiding dimensional shifts in the therapeutic approach.

PRESENTER BIO

Raelene Dundon is an Autistic and ADHDer Educational and Developmental Psychologist, Registered Play Therapist and Author, with over 20 years' experience supporting neurodivergent children and their families and working with educators and clinicians. She is the Director of Okey Dokey Childhood Therapy and a lecturer in Child Play Therapy at Deakin University.

When: Wednesday 18 June 
Time: 11am–1pm AEST (1pm NZST, 9am AWST/HKT/SGT)
Duration/CPD: 2 hr
Where: Zoom
Cost: $40 (+GST for Aust. members)
Open to: Practising members (Professional, Tier, Provisional) - Experienced practising members only
Max: 30 participants
Recorded session: No (Privacy Reasons)

Cancellation Policy
When you register and pay to attend one of our events, you are holding a space on our calendar that is no longer available to other members. In order to be respectful of your fellow members and the presenter, please email us as soon as you know you will not be able to attend the event. We keep our events as affordable as possible and need to pay presenters the fee they request. While we understand sometimes urgent matters come up, if registrants cancel at the last minute, we struggle to pay presenters. A full refund will be given if the cancellation occurs more than 24 hours before the event. If the cancellation occurs less than 24 hours before the event, 50% of your registration fee will be refunded only to defray our costs.

There have been recent changes to the ACC requirements for new providers. This workshop covers the NEW requirements you need to know to register to provide arts therapy funded by the ACC for clients impacted by sexual abuse. It is only open to New Zealand members.

The workshop will cover ACC's requirements relating to qualifications and clinical experience, and ongoing requirements from ACC post registration. The registration process will be covered, and how to go about finding a supplier. This event is open to anyone interested in registering for this type of work, from experienced professionals to students who are looking at this as a future revenue source once they have sufficient experience. The workshop will consist of a presentation and will include time for questions.

PRESENTER:

Tania Blomfield is a Professional Member of ANZACATA and has been providing clinical supervision and supervision training in New Zealand for approximately 15 years.  She has a particular interest in working with trauma and shame, and currently performs psychological assessments for New Zealand's Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), along with a group of other registered arts therapists, counsellors and psychologists..

When: Saturday 28 June 2025
Time: 10am-11am NZST
Duration/CPD: 1 hr
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Open to: Professional, Provisional and Student Members in New Zealand only
Max: 30 participants
Recorded session: No (Privacy Reasons)

Cancellation Policy
When you register and pay to attend one of our events, you are holding a space on our calendar that is no longer available to other members. In order to be respectful of your fellow members and the presenter, please email us as soon as you know you will not be able to attend the event. We keep our events as affordable as possible and need to pay presenters the fee they request. While we understand sometimes urgent matters come up, if registrants cancel at the last minute, we struggle to pay presenters. A full refund will be given if the cancellation occurs more than 24 hours before the event. If the cancellation occurs less than 24 hours before the event, 50% of your registration fee will be refunded only to defray our costs.

A Professional Development Workshop for Arts Therapists facilitated by Miriam Saines, Registered Professional Arts Therapist (AThR) and Autistic Self-Advocate.

This professional development workshop is designed for arts therapists seeking to deepen their understanding of autism and develop neurodiversity affirming therapeutic practices. Led by an Autistic arts therapist with lived experience and professional expertise, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into creating more effective, respectful, and empowering therapeutic relationships with Autistic clients.

The workshop challenges traditional deficit-based approaches and introduces participants to neurodiversity-affirming practices that honour Autistic ways of being, communicating, and experiencing the world. Practical strategies, artmaking examples, and experiential activities will provide participants with actionable tools to enhance their clinical practice.

This event is appropriate for ALL ANZACATA members. However, it is aimed particularly to new graduates and members who have little understanding, knowledge and experience of neurodiversity affirming practice and autistic identity.

Please note this workshop is delivered in 2 parts on consecutive Saturdays.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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

• Describe autism from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective, using affirming language, and identify how this differs from pathologizing approaches.
• Address the intersectionality of autism and create sensory-informed and trauma-informed arts therapy spaces for therapeutic engagement.
• Expand their understanding of 'art' to encompass diverse sensory and social expressions relevant to Autistic clients.
• Support authentic emotion regulation without imposing neurotypical expectations.
• Incorporate special interests as therapeutic strengths rather than viewing them as distractions.
• Foster self-advocacy skills in Autistic clients of all ages

PRESENTER BIO

Miriam (she/her/they/them) is a late-identified AuDHD (autistic and ADHD) arts therapist, professionally registered with ANZACATA. She graduated with her Master of Arts Therapy from Western Sydney University in 2013 and practises on Awabakal Country at Newcastle Music and Arts Therapy. Miriam's lived experience, as an AuDHD person and parent, has significantly shaped her arts therapy practice, which is grounded in neurodiversity-affirming principles, and has led to her strong interest in Autistic culture and advocacy.

Miriam works predominantly with neurodivergent clients who identify as Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, PDA, as well as those with diverse disabilities, and mental health issues across all ages and backgrounds. Her arts therapy practice combines professional expertise with authentic understanding, offering creative strategies that honour rather than change neurodivergent ways of being.  newcastlemusictherapy.com.au.

When: Saturday 12 July 2025 (Part 1) and Saturday 19 July 2025 (Part 2)
Time: 10am–1.30pm AEST
(12pm NZST, 8am AWST/HKT/SGT)
including a 30-minute break
Duration/CPD: 6 hrs
Where: Zoom
Cost: $90 (+GST for Aust. members)
Open to: All members
Max: 20 participants
Recorded session: No (Privacy Reasons)

Cancellation Policy
When you register and pay to attend one of our events, you are holding a space on our calendar that is no longer available to other members. In order to be respectful of your fellow members and the presenter, please email us as soon as you know you will not be able to attend the event. We keep our events as affordable as possible and need to pay presenters the fee they request. While we understand sometimes urgent matters come up, if registrants cancel at the last minute, we struggle to pay presenters. A full refund will be given if the cancellation occurs more than 24 hours before the event. If the cancellation occurs less than 24 hours before the event, 50% of your registration fee will be refunded only to defray our costs.