Inspired by the pioneering work of our colleagues at Aashna, we’d like to invite you into a process of exploring our embodied ableism by inviting a client who has kindly agreed to share his story of his lived experiences of dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and developmental language disorder (DLD) – and his experience in therapy.
With: Doron Levene and Dianne Levene
Date: Sunday 13 April 2025
Time: 9.45am–1.30pm
Venue: Relational Spaces, Mulberry Room, Langdale House, 11 Marshalsea Road, London SE1 1EN (2 min walk from Borough Station)
About the topic
In the spirit of deepening our own learning, we would like to invite you to a new experience in which a client will share his lived experience of being neurodivergent – growing up with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and developmental language disorder (DLD), and later his journey seeking help though therapy.
We aim to honour the principle of “Nothing about us without us” by centring the neurodivergent client’s voice in our collective learning. Through storytelling and open dialogue, we will explore the intersection of neurodivergence and psychotherapy, challenging our biases and hopefully stretching our knowledge and practice. This is an opportunity to listen, reflect and engage in a process of transformation – both individually and as a learning community.
In preparation for this event, emphasis has been given to safety through co-production from the invitation to honour and support the client’s process to co-producing questions relating to areas the client wishes to share and be understood.
We hope that through participation in understanding neurodivergence we can also begin reimagining psychotherapy in ways that begin to address our inherited assumptions, beliefs and biases, and look at our own communication gap.
As neurotypical therapists, how do we recognise our biases, improve our understanding of neurodiversity from a neurodiverse perspective, and take responsibility for creating a more inclusive therapeutic environment, so that therapy can become a space for true support and empowerment rather than one of correction and conformity?
We aim to create a safer, more inclusive space for neurodivergent clients, allowing them to heal and grow without the pressure to conform to neurotypical expectations.
About the facilitators
Doron Levene
Doron is an experienced relational body psychotherapist with over 25 years in private practice and community projects (Homelessness, Domestic violence and Aashna+ Community Group). He currently works mainly in clinical supervision and as co-director of Relational Spaces (offering supportive environments from which clinicians can work, train, collaborate and engage in culturally and clinically relevant learning spaces).
Dianne Levene
Dianne is a retired relational body psychotherapist, artist and co-director of Relational Spaces. Dianne is also very active in climate action groups.
The client
The client has a lived experience of dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, developmental language disorder (DLD) and will share his experience in therapy (both helpful and less helpful experiences).
About our Pluralogues
For those new to this event, the Pluralogue is a space where we get together to both learn and socialise, meet some new colleagues and find out what others are up to.
The term ‘Pluralogue’ was coined by Doron many years ago, to depict moving beyond monologue to dialogue: to pluralogue (the conversation of many). We hope to learn together and from each other in the form of a learning community in a friendly atmosphere.
The added bonus is that we structure it as a CPD event so you will be able to count it as CPD hours (a CPD certificate will be provided as well).
Booking information
Places cost:
- £15 for Relational Spaces members
- £25 for non-members
To confirm your booking please email us at therapyroomsuk@gmail.com and we will reply with details of how to pay.
Cancellation policy
Please note we do not offer refunds for our events. However, if you ask to cancel your booking more than 7 days before the event, you’ll receive a one-time use (no-cancellation) credit for a future event.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Warm regards,
Dianne, Doron and Cressy
07426 336 322
Image: © Doron Levene