Professional Training

INVEST

Essentials in Neuroaffirming Care

A full-day, in-person training designed for mental health workers who want to deepen their understanding of neurodivergence.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 9:00am - 4:00pm MDT

When:

Calgary Winter Club, 4611 14 St NW, Calgary, AB T2K 5Y1

Where:

Catered lunch, morning & afternoon breaks, comprehensive workbook, & certificate of completion.

Includes:

Tickets:

Early Bird Registration $375 (Limited Availability)

Regular Registration $425

Student Registration $250 (Limited availability. Student verification required)

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Tickets are non-refundable, but are transferable.

Overview

Autistic individuals experience significantly higher rates of mental health challenges than the general population, yet many are turned away from services because providers do not feel adequately equipped to meet their needs. Research indicates that up to 78% of individuals with autism have at least one co-occurring mental health condition, compared to approximately 14% of the general population. Common concerns include anxiety, depression, conduct challenges, and ADHD.

Mental health professionals must be supported with frameworks and practical tools that allow them to provide care that is both clinically sound and neuroaffirming.

INVEST: Essentials in Neuroaffirming Care is a full-day, in-person training designed for mental health workers who want to deepen their understanding of neurodivergence and strengthen their clinical practice with autistic clients. This immersive workshop focuses on practical application, case conceptualization, and skill development within a neuroaffirming framework.

Grounded in 20 years of Dori Zener’s clinical practice, INVEST is one of the first neuroaffirming frameworks created specifically for mental health care. Through the INVEST model—Identify Needs, Validate, Educate, Strengthen, and Thrive—participants learn how to intentionally support client growth, foster self-understanding, and build on strengths in ways that promote agency and well-being.

The training is highly interactive and includes applied case examples, guided exercises, and opportunities to work through the INVEST model using participants’ own clinical cases.

Learners receive a comprehensive workbook with downloadable worksheets to support continued learning and integration into practice.

Dori Zener, RSW

Keynote Speaker

Who Should Attend

This training is designed for:

  • Psychologists, social workers, counsellors, psychotherapists, mental health clinicians, and caseworkers working with autistic and neurodivergent clients.

  • Clinicians with prior exposure to neurodiversity-affirming concepts who want to deepen clinical application.

  • Allied health professionals.

  • Students in the field.

This training may not be a fit if you are:

  • Brand new to neurodiversity, autism-informed care, or clinical practice.

  • Seeking an introductory or awareness-level training.

Important Note: This is not an introductory course. Participants will benefit from having some prior experience or familiarity with neurodivergence and psychotherapy.

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

  1. Explain the principles of neuroaffirming care and why they matter for client well-being.

  2. Apply the INVEST framework to assess, conceptualize, and support client growth and empowerment.

  3. Help clients understand their neurodivergent profile, strengths, and support needs.

  4. Teach practical strategies for emotional regulation, executive functioning, communication, and sensory management.

  5. Guide clients in building healthy relationships, optimal environments, meaningful work, and enjoyable leisure.

  6. Promote self-acceptance, agency, and hope for a thriving future.

What You’ll Walk Away With

What You’ll Walk Away With

  • A practical neuroaffirming framework you can apply immediately.

  • Clear clinical language for validating and educating neurodivergent clients.

  • Tools for supporting emotional regulation, executive functioning, and sensory needs.

  • Strategies to support relationships, environments, work, and leisure.

  • A comprehensive PDF workbook with reusable clinical worksheets.

  • Increased confidence working with complex neurodivergent presentations.

Keynote Speaker

Dori Zener, RSW

Dori Zener is a Registered Social Worker, speaker, and educator who has dedicated her career to creating Neurodiversity-Affirming mental health opportunities for autistic people across the lifespan. Her mission is to empower neurodivergent individuals, igniting self-awareness and self- compassion, so they can thrive in every facet of life.

Dori offers training based on her clinical expertise, centred around her INVEST model, which provides a Neuro-Affirming framework for counselling. She is deeply committed to fostering autism acceptance and actively contributes to expanding the understanding of autism through publications, workshops, research collaborations, and corporate consultations.

She has recently taken on a new leadership position with the National Autism Network, where she is co-chairing the Strategic Priority Area 4 Committee: Public Awareness, Understanding, & Acceptance.

INVEST: Essentials in Neuroaffirming Care equips mental health workers, therapists, and caseworkers with the tools to provide effective, neuroaffirming support.

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Have questions?

Frequently asked questions

  • This full-day training session includes a catered lunch, morning and afternoon breaks, comprehensive workbook, and certificate of completion.

  • Formal continuing education (CE) credits are not offered for this training.

    Participants will receive a certificate of completion for professional development purposes.

  • On-site parking is available but limited. Street parking is available within a short walking distance to the venue.

  • The Calgary Winter Club is fully accessible. If you have accessibility needs related to sensory, mobility, learning supports, or dietary requirements, please contact us in advance at info@risewellpsychology.com, and we will do our best to accommodate.

  • If you have dietary requirements, please contact us in advance at info@risewellpsychology.com, and we will do our best to accommodate.

  • Tickets for this event are non-refundable.

    Tickets are transferable with advance notice by contacting: info@risewellpsychology.com