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Description

This course will focus on psychoeducation regarding the ins and outs, and complexities of neuroaffirming autism assessment. Psychodiagnostic testing pros and cons, limitations, and application within an affirming lens (which contrasts traditional, stereotyped, overly medicalized testing approaches) will be highlighted. The intent of this course is to provide the audience with an understanding of the utility of autism testing and how to support this community in an affirming manner.

Participants will receive a detailed case vignette examining the complex presentation of a 15-year-old transgender male with co-occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, restrictive eating patterns, gender dysphoria, trauma history, and self-harming behaviors. Through guided discussion, participants will explore the challenges of providing individualized, affirming, and developmentally appropriate care while navigating diagnostic overlap, family dynamics, social influences, and the evolving cultural and political landscape surrounding gender identity and mental health. The vignette will also prompt discussion around adapting ERP interventions, understanding eating disorder subtypes, and working effectively with adolescents influenced by social media trends and online mental health narratives.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Explain at least one way of defining neuroaffirming psychodiagnostic testing services.

  • Identify at least one pro and one con of psychodiagnostic testing.

Educational Goal

The eductional goal of this workshop is to provide psychoeducation regarding what neuroaffirming psych testing is and how to critically examine the utility of this service in the clinical world.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Dr. Maddisen Espeseth, PsyD, IFS-I ACC, RPT-S, CST is a licensed clinical psychologist with a solo private practice in Anaheim Hills, California. She practices from an attachment-heavy, neurosequential lens, offering neuroaffirming psychodiagnostic testing and psychotherapy services. Specific to psychodiagnostic testing, Dr. Espeseth specializes in child and adult autism assessments but has extensive clinical experience assessing for a broad array of diagnostic presentations and neurotypes. She has historically supported highly complex clients in the partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), community mental health (CMH), hospital, and private practice settings. Dr. Espeseth strongly values the provision of client-centered, holistic, biologically respectful therapeutic services. Specific to psychotherapy, Dr. Espeseth specializes in treating trauma-related disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Dr. Espeseth is a Certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist, IFS Institute Approved Clinical Consultant (IFS-I ACC), Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S), and Certified Sandplay Therapist (CST). In addition to direct clinical care, Dr. Espeseth is passionate about providing consultative and supervisory services as well as workshops and lectures.
Jonathan Stevens, MD, MPH is a triple board-certified psychiatrist in Adult Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, and Obesity Medicine with over 20 years of clinical experience. He specializes in the early identification and treatment of complex psychiatric conditions in adolescents and young adults, including mood disorders, psychosis, ADHD, OCD, developmental disorders, and dual-diagnosis presentations. Dr. Stevens is the founder of Psych Insight and InnerSpace in Houston, where he leads a multidisciplinary team delivering precision-based psychiatric care. His approach integrates structured diagnostics, neurocognitive measurement, pharmacogenetics, and interventional treatments such as TMS and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. He is particularly focused on improving outcomes in treatment-resistant depression and emerging psychotic disorders through data-informed, individualized care. A former academic leader and department chief, Dr. Stevens now concentrates on advancing a modern, measurement-driven model of psychiatry that blends rigorous diagnostics with practical, real-world stabilization strategies. He is a frequent speaker on personalized psychiatry, early psychosis detection, and innovative treatment pathways for adolescents and young adults.
David Morrison, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice in California and a member of the California Psychological Association. Dr. Morrison has worked closely with the Visions treatment team since 2005, providing consultation and evaluation services. He has extensive experience with residential and outpatient programs serving adolescents and adults and their families. In his private practice, he provides evaluation services, individual therapy, group therapy, parent coaching, and consultation services for local schools, and he has been a guest speaker many times. Since 1991, Dr. Morrison has worked with individuals on the Autism Spectrum. He also has work experience as a direct care staff and program manager for residential programs. Dr. Morrison and his wife have three young adult daughters and three grandchildren. Faith, Family, and Friends provide a strong and powerful foundational support system.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers