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PDA from a Lived Experience Therapist Lens

Saturday June 28 | 9 am to 10:30 am PT | Virtual
Welcome to a transformative webinar exploring Persistent Drive for Autonomy / Pathological Demand Avoidance  in adults, led by a Neurodivergent-Affirming trauma therapist who brings both professional expertise and lived experience as an AuDHD individual with a PDA profile. Gain insights into PDA's impact on the nervous system, the triggers, why many do not consider it pathological, and practical strategies. Christine will also share her journey, offering a unique perspective on navigating life with PDA, professionally and personally.

This course will include

  • Introduction to the PDA profile, why it has different ways to describe it and research on why it occurs. An overview of the types of nervous system responses to PDA triggers and how they can be both internal and external.
  • What constitutes a PDA trigger from a lived experience perspective, and how to support your client to avoid them in session
  • How do you assess and address the PDA profile in your clients? + A handout of helpful questions.
  • Appropriate, non-abelist interventions that therapists can utilize to support their PDA client. + A handout on declarative language and repair.

Objectives:

1.5 hour course with 1.5 APA CEUs
  • Identify three distinct behavioral patterns that characterize the presentation of PDA in adults to support accurate recognition and clinical assessment.
  • Explain the neurobiological mechanisms underlying demand avoidance behaviors in individuals with a PDA profile, including how the autonomic nervous system responds to perceived threats.
  • Analyze four common social triggers that may activate nervous system responses in clients with PDA, and apply this understanding to inform therapeutic intervention and environmental accommodations.

*Most licensing boards accept APA credits, though it is up to you to confirm if you license, board and state will accept APA continuing education units. 
Meet the instructor

Christine MacInnis, MSed, MS, LMFT

Christine (she/her) is  is the CEO and Founder of Transcends Therapy. She is a certified EMDR Therapist, an EMDRIA-approved consultant, and a Corporate Trainer. Christine identifies as a bisexual, self-diagnosed autistic female who was clinically diagnosed with ADHD in young adulthood. For the past nine years, she has been working with LGBTQIA+ and Neurodivergent clients from an affirming, anti-racist, and trauma-informed lens, both in-person in Torrance, CA, and online in California, Arizona, and Ohio.
CMacinnis@transcendstherapy.com
www.transcendstherapy.com

Patrick Jones - Course author