Vanguard Neurodiversity Training
We run learning events for counsellors, psychotherapists, and psychologists, who are concerned about equity and inclusion regarding neurodiversity, and, most importantly, are very concerned about autistic people when they come into therapy.
What we are offering isn’t a ‘model’ of therapy, as such. But our training is focusing on being neuroaffirming, culturally attuned, trauma informed, and social-justice minded, and genuinely therapeutic. These are key elements of being neurodiversity-affirming, and our course emphasises the skills of doing good therapy as well. Our work as therapists must be leading to outcomes of better mental health and wellbeing of autistic clients.
We take the positionality of the bio-psycho-social model, rather than the medical model, in all that we believe in. The course presentations are around big subjects, such as relationships, minority stress, being a human being, the history of autism as it relates to us therapists, and much more.
The learning materials have been written by Vauna Beauvais and Eoin Stephens, both psychotherapists of over 25 years with expertise in autism and neurodiversity, as well as in therapy - and both are autistic people
The course curriculum includes insights from the clinical experiences of the trainer's professional therapy and supervision practice, their own lived experience (along with those of attendees) and learning assertions that are supported by up-to-date research.
Overall, what emerges is that colleagues who study with us are impacted by the experiences on the course and this becomes integrated. We found that what happened as the course was going along was that the attendees were evolving as professionals. Paramount is our respect for you and for what you already know and do in your therapeutic practice. in the ways that you already know it. And we join together with who and where you are (and who we all are, in fact) along with what is contained in the course materials, to enrich us all with the added layer of the lens of autistic people. Insights, lightbulb moments, and thought-provoking times follow our exploration of autistic clients’ inner experience and outer realities. We leave with this informing our work.
Attendance requirements:
Come as you are, we only ask that you are dressed. We would prefer to be able to see you and interact with you, but we also believe in you prioritising your own needs, and so having the camera off is also okay. We support all lifestyle choices, and anti-oppressive, non-harming dialogue, and our trraining events are designed to be an inclusive safe space where everyone is valued and respected.
We welcome you!
Trainers experience and qualifications
Eoin Stephens: BA Psychology, Dip Counselling, MA Cognitive-Behavioural Counselling, MIACP, MACI.
Eoin is a Counsellor/Psychotherapist and Trainer who has worked in the areas of Disability, Addiction Treatment, Lecturing/Training, and Counselling/Psychotherapy private practice for over 30 years, using a Humanistic, Pragmatic approach to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (integrating aspects of Person-Centred Therapy, Schema Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, & Compassion-Focused Therapy).He specialised in the area of Sexual Addiction for a number of years (serving as chair of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity) and worked at a senior level in Counselling/Psychotherapy education. He served as vice-chair of both the Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy and Addiction Counsellors of Irelan
- Eoin Stephens on LinkedIn
- Eoin Stephens, Trainer at Vanguard Neurodiversity Training.
- Eoin Stephens private practice, Autism Informed Therapy
Vauna Beauvais: MSc Psychotherapy, Post Gragraduate Certificate in Autism, Certified Transactional Analyst, Certified Cybertherapist, PGCDip Counselling. Diploma Counselling. Certified Coach Practitioner. UKCP registered Psychotherapist.
Vauna has been seeing clients for over 20 years in private practice and now specialises in working therapeutically with neurodivergent adults. She is also a clinical supervisor for counsellors and psychotherapists, and supports and trains therapists to work with neurodiversity and inclusivity. Discovering at over 40 years old, that she is Autistic with ADHD herself. She is currently serving on the board of directors for The Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Online (ACTO) and has founded a neurodiversity interest group for professional members of ACTO.
- Vauna Beauvais on LinkedIn.
- Vauna Beauvais Trainer at Vanguard Neurodiversity Training
- Vauna Beauvais private practice Counselling Therapy Online for Neurodivergent People
WHERE YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT US ...