Ego State Therapy
Healing Attachment in the Neurodivergent Community

Autistics and individuals with ADHD are at a higher likelihood of experiencing trauma in the social context, leading to these disorders as well as attachment wounds. Due to the difference in brain structure (neurotypes) these populations require different methods of both interaction and trauma processing. This course covers the methods of Ego State Therapy, an evidence based practice shown to be effective in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder, Dissociative Disorders, Self-Criticalness, and School Refusal. Participants then practice adjustments to the method that are suited to the neurodivergent brain, specifically to assist with ADHD, Autism, Alexithymia, and Aphantasia. Considerations for telehealth therapy are included.

Did you know?

  • More people in the world are Aphantasic than Autistic. Do your current trauma treatment methods support this group?
  • Alexithymia is not always depression induced! That means it may not go away with therapy. Do you know how to cure trauma without clients being able to name their emotions?
  • Some professionals believe that Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria is actually a manifestation of trauma in ADHD.
  • Not all therapy requires assuming your client has a core self! Learn more about Ego State Therapy in this course!
  • All emotions are real, and they have protective desires.
  • What's included?
  • 1 hour recorded webinar
  • slides & resources
  • 1 APA CE*
*Most licensing boards accept APA credits, though it is up to you to confirm if your license, board and state will accept APA continuing education units. 

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:
  • Demonstrate three modifications to Ego State Therapy for neurodivergent clients—specifically incorporating physical movement, affirming language, and adjusted levels of support—through role-play and clinical application.
  • Differentiate between willful resistance and complex maladaptive coping strategies in client behavior, and apply the 7 P principles to guide clinical response and treatment planning.
  • Integrate physical interventions to support trauma resolution in aphantasic clients, and revise traditional therapeutic approaches to enhance efficacy for individuals with non-visual processing styles.
Meet the instructor

Lacey Cottingham, LCSW

Lacey (Allene) Cottingham is a psychotherapist based out of North Carolina, USA. She primarily practices therapy with adults who feel chronically misattuned to the people around them, even feeling estrangement from their own bodies. Her career so far has been dedicated to helping people either fit in, or carve out a safe place to be themselves. While the professional terms and niches have changed through her career, that core problem has been at the heart of her work. At this time she works with individuals who identify as part of the Autism, ADHD, or Dissociative Identity Disorder communities. Questions and comments can be addressed in English or French to lcottingham@hushmail.com . Her professional website is Laceycottingham.com.

Allene (Lacey) Cottingham est psychopraticienne* en Caroline du Nord, aux États-Unis. Elle travaille principalement avec des adultes en difficulté avec leur corps et leur environnement. Elle accompagne actuellement des personnes atteintes d'autisme, de TDAH et de trouble dissociatif de l'identité pour les aider à construire une vie plus saine et autonome. Pour toute question, vous pouvez contacter Allene à l'adresse lcottingham@hushmail.com. Son site web est laceycottingham.com.

*Allene espère finaliser sa demande de transfert de qualification en psychothérapie en France en 2026.

Patrick Jones - Course author

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