CERTIFICATION 201: Case Presentations & Advanced Topics in Neurodiverse Couples Therapy

Founded in 2016, the Neurodiverse Couples Institute offers training and resources for neurodiverse couples and the therapists and coaches who work with them.

Online courses, Training 101 and Certification 201, are based on the Myhill/Jekel* model for effectively treating neurodiverse couples in therapy. In 2021, a new online course for couples, 101 for Couples, was developed by the Neurodiverse Couples Institute to help couples recognize and understand what it means to be in a neurodiverse relationship.

Successful completion of the two online courses for couples/partners therapists entitles participants to be certified by AANE and included on a Map of AANE Certified Neurodiverse Couples Therapists so neurodiverse couples in need can find trained therapists.

* Grace Myhill, Director of the Neurodiverse Couples Institute, and Dania Jekel, founder and former Executive Director of AANE, developed and copyrighted the model for treating neurodiverse couples in therapy.

CERTIFICATION 201: Course Description

Classes meet 8 times online with ZOOM, a video conference program, for 90 minutes, at times that participants work out with the instructor Grace Myhill.

Classes include case presentations from participants, lectures by Grace Myhill, MSW, on Treating Meltdowns and Developmental Delay, Q & A with a neurodiverse couple, and Q & A with neurodiverse couples therapist who specializes in Autism and sexuality.

CERTIFICATION 201: Learning Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

Explain how to apply the Myhill/Jekel model when working with your clients

Describe how to address meltdowns in one or both partners in a neurodiverse relationship

Explain at least 2 unique challenges when working with neurodiverse couples in therapy

Describe at least 2 reasons why an Autistic adult may appear developmentally younger than their chronological age

Explain how developmentally delayed behaviors from an Autistic partner may affect their spouse and their relationship dynamics

Identify Autistic traits in one of the partners in a neurodiverse couple

Identify common traits of a neurotypical partner in one of the partners in a neurodiverse couple

Apply a neurological lens to the root cause of a neurodiverse couple’s issues

Use language that demonstrates an understanding of how neurodiversity impacts a couple

Reference neurodiversity during a session with a client

Interpret for each partner in a neurodiverse couple

Validate and normalize for each partner based on their neurological profile

Offer at least 2 concrete tools and strategies for challenges of a neurodiverse couple

Describe how you can adjust your therapeutic approach when treating neurodiverse couples in therapy

Grace Myhill, MSW Grace Myhill, MSW, is a pioneer and leader in the field of neurodiverse couples therapy. Since 2004, she has worked with hundreds of neurodiverse couples together and separately in her private practice and through the AANE neurodiverse couples coaching program. She has developed numerous skill-building tools and lessons to enhance communication and emotional connection.

Grace oversees a variety of in-person and video support groups for the many facets of this unique population. Support is very important for these couples; it provides normalization and validation for both the neurotypical partners and the Autistic partners.

She trains professional clinicians about understanding and treating neurodiverse couples through individual and group consultations. Her webinars and podcasts include such topics as Courtship in Neurodiverse Relationships, Common Challenges and Realistic Strategies for Neurodiverse Couples, and Navigating Neurodiverse Relationships.

Together with AANE’s founder and former executive director Dania Jekel, Grace co-authored two articles for NASW Focus, Neurology Matters: Recognizing, Understanding, and Treating Neurodiverse Couples in Therapy, and Asperger Marriage: Viewing Partnerships through a Different Lens.

She currently holds the titles of Director of Couples and Partner’s Services and Director of the Neurodiverse Couples Institute at AANE. 

Leslie Sickels, MSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in midtown Manhattan. She received her Master’s Degree from Hunter College School of Social Work and has received extensive trainings and certifications in CBT, DBT and trauma-informed practices. Leslie’s areas of expertise include autism, anxiety, depression and trauma. Leslie provides psychotherapy, which often includes building social skills, improving executive functioning and strengthening relationships. Much of her work focuses on gender and sexuality as they relate to the unique concerns of Autistic individuals.  Along with individual and family counseling, Leslie provides counseling to neurodiverse couples, in which one partner is Autistic. She supports couples in enhancing communication and working through challenges in their partnership. In addition to direct couples’ work, Leslie also provides supportive services, including consultation, training and coaching for family members, siblings and partners of Autistic individuals.

Earn 10 ASWB ACE approved CE credits for TRAINING 101

ASWB ACE Approved CE credits

Licensed Clinical Social Workers can earn 10 Continuing Education (CE) credits for Training 101: Fundamentals of Working with Neurodiverse Couples in Therapy

ACE Approval Statement: The Neurodiverse Couples Institute, #1705, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The Peter M. Friedman Neurodiverse Couples Institute maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 2/27/2023-2/27/2026.  Social workers participating in this course will receive 10 continuing education credits.

ASWB ACE APPROVED CE CREDITS are recognized for Licensed Clinical Social Workers in most US states and Canadian provinces. We recommend you check to see if your jurisdiction is listed before purchasing the class: https://www.aswb.org/ace/ace-jurisdiction-map/

How to apply for 10 ASWB ACE APPROVED CE credits for TRAINING 101:

Purchase TRAINING 101 + ADD-ON: 10 ASWB ACE APPROVED CE CREDITS

Successfully complete the TRAINING 101 course. Successful completion is a score of 80% or better on each section of the TRAINING 101 Final Test. 

Upon successful completion, you can generate AANE’s Certificate of Completion for TRAINING 101. Keep this Certificate, because you will need it when applying for the CE credits. 

Complete the ASWB Course Evaluation Survey from the link in your ADD-ON 10 ASWB ACE APPROVED CE CREDITS course welcome email. Keep a copy of your Survey responses.

Apply for the 10 ASWB ACE APPROVED CE CREDITS through AANE by emailing your completed ASWB Course Evaluation Survey and your TRAINING 101 Certificate of Completion to [email protected], with the subject line: Applying for 10 ASWB ACE APPROVED CE CREDITS for TRAINING 101. 

You will receive your CE credit certificate for 10 ASWB ACE APPROVED CE CREDITS from AANE via email within 2-3 weeks.

If you have any questions about ASWB ACE APPROVED CE CREDITS, email [email protected].

Group rates available, contact Grace at [email protected] for 10% off promo code.

CERTIFICATION 201 ~ $1,500

Bundle Training 101 and Certification 201 to Save $500

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