April 9, 2026, 5-6:30 PM EST
Community of Practice
Neurodiversity Topics
with Sandra Hewitt-Parsons, MA, PhD(c), RCAT, EXAT, art therapist and contributor to the book Art Therapy with People with Learning Disabilities: Authentic Voices in Clinical Practice and Research with the chapter: “Revising the Rules of Social Interaction: Stories of Power, Inclusion, and Why I Don’t Have a Mustache” (Routledge, 2025)
and Carmen Oprea, MA, MFA, ATR-BC, RCAT, Founder of World Art Therapy Conferences and Creative Arts Therapies Events Platform.
CoP Description:
This community of practice is designed for mental health practitioners seeking connection, shared learning, and greater confidence in working with neurodivergent populations or navigating the profession as a neurodivergent therapist. It offers a supportive and reflective space to deepen awareness, strengthen practical understanding, and explore thoughtful, informed responses to common clinical questions and challenges.
In our first gathering, we will focus on creating safety and establishing the foundation for the group. Together, we will begin to identify shared interests and shape the direction of the community, whether through discussing literature and emerging perspectives, exploring practical cases, sharing personal and professional experiences, or considering future guest invitees and topics of focus. The intention is to build a space that is both grounded and responsive to the needs, questions, and wisdom of its members.
The CoP has a duration of 1.5 hours, that will be recorded partially to be watched and consulted at your pace.
This is the first part of a series of monthly gatherings aiming to strengthen the community and help the members feel more connected to neurodiversity topics.
This community of practice is designed for mental health practitioners seeking connection, shared learning, and greater confidence in working with neurodivergent populations or navigating the profession as a neurodivergent therapist. It offers a supportive and reflective space to deepen awareness, strengthen practical understanding, and explore thoughtful, informed responses to common clinical questions and challenges.
In our first gathering, we will focus on creating safety and establishing the foundation for the group. Together, we will begin to identify shared interests and shape the direction of the community, whether through discussing literature and emerging perspectives, exploring practical cases, sharing personal and professional experiences, or considering future guest invitees and topics of focus. The intention is to build a space that is both grounded and responsive to the needs, questions, and wisdom of its members.
The CoP has a duration of 1.5 hours, that will be recorded partially to be watched and consulted at your pace.
This is the first part of a series of monthly gatherings aiming to strengthen the community and help the members feel more connected to neurodiversity topics.
Sandra Hewitt-Parsons, MA, PhD(c), RCAT, EXAT
Sandra Hewitt-Parsons is a registered art therapist, Disability artist, published author, and the founder of Safe Harbour Expressive Therapies. A childhood stroke survivor herself, she is deeply passionate about working with individuals who identify with disability. Her personal experience of being unheard has shaped her approach to therapy. Sandra is a dedicated advocate for her community, empowering others to discover and express their own voices on issues that are meaningful to them. She resides in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, with her husband and her two cats.
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