Barnardo’s therapists to receive neurodivergent training from Training for Counsellors

Training for Counsellors have been appointed by Barnardo’s, one of the UK’s leading children’s charities, to deliver specialist neurodivergent training to over 70 of their therapists.

Barnardo’s provide vital support to children, young people and families across the UK.

Its work helps those who’ve experienced trauma, adversity or exclusion to feel safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful, and it’s a real privilege for us to be contributing to that work.

Neurodivergence training for therapists is something that Training for Counsellors are proud to be leading. This partnership highlights their dedication to the counselling profession and the increasing recognition of the need to understand and support neurodivergent children and young people.

Samantha Crapnell, owner and co-facilitator, said: “I’m so pleased that this important course is being recognised by organisations like Barnardo’s.

"It’s a sign of real progress in creating more inclusive and affirming therapeutic spaces, and we’re excited to work with more organisations who share that vision.

"Having been diagnosed as Neurodivergent myself, I know how vital it is that helping professionals have the understanding and knowledge needed to support people in ways that truly affirm who they are.”

Samantha and co-facilitator Zara Winstanley, will deliver a series of two-day experiential training sessions, taking a hands-on, practical approach to working with neurodivergent children and young people aged five and upwards.

The sessions will explore, different neurotypes and ‘ways of being’, how neurodivergent individuals experience the world, the power of the sensory system and the therapeutic value of playfulness, creativity and movement.

Additionally, Barnardo’s therapists will be introduced to Zara’s FECit model, a neurodivergent-affirming framework designed to support therapists, clients, parents and schools.

Zara said: “Children who are often perceived as misbehaving are frequently just dysregulated at a sensory level. When we understand this, we can move away from judgement and towards connection, and that changes everything.”

Barnardo’s will receive a 2-day adaptation of Training for Counsellors’ in-depth CPD course, Working with the Functionality of Neurodivergent Children and Young People. The course is written to meet BACP and NCPS competence guidelines for therapists working with children and young people.

Training for Counsellors are encouraging any organisations supporting children, young people or families to get in touch about their neurodivergent-affirming training.