You’re out of ideas.
You’ve tried the approaches you know. The plan still isn’t working, and you want to understand what to change.
FREE 2B ME · Professional learning
Training for professionals who work with autistic and other neurodivergent people
You care about getting it right. But what do you do when nothing seems to work?
For counsellors, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers, other allied health professionals and educators supporting autistic and other neurodivergent people. Build practical understanding for the moments when your usual approach isn’t helping and you’re wondering what to try next.
For the questions you take home after work
You shouldn’t have to figure it all out alone.
You have experience. You care about your clients. But your qualifications may not have prepared you for the moments when a client goes quiet, every suggestion meets a no, or someone tells you they’re fine when you suspect there is more going on.
You’re worried you’ve missed something.
Your client seemed okay in the room. Later you learn how much they were struggling, and you wonder what you could have asked differently.
You need help you can use.
You’ve heard the language. Now you want to know what to say, what to notice and how to make your next session more useful.
The next conversation matters. You can bring a different set of questions to it.
Learn what to do when the usual approach isn’t working.
FREE 2B ME professional learning is designed to help you feel more confident in your decisions, have more useful conversations and work with autistic and other neurodivergent clients on support that fits their lives.
Less second-guessing. More confidence in where to start.
The person behind FREE 2B ME
Professional practice and lived experience, brought together.
FREE 2B ME was created by Tanya Hicks, a late-identified autistic and ADHD woman, counsellor and founder of The Nest. Tanya brings her experience as a practitioner and a neurodivergent person to the question at the heart of this work: how can support make more room for the person?
Her work extends across counselling, behaviour support practice, practitioner development, speaking and the FREE 2B ME books. It is grounded in the belief that people deserve support that fits their lives, not pressure to become someone else.
Registered counsellor
Australian Counselling Association, Level 2
Founder
FREE 2B ME and The Nest
Recognised work
Education Provider of the Year, Sunshine Coast Business Awards, 2024
Four programs for the work you do every day
Which challenge do you want to feel more confident with?
Choose the program that speaks to the clients and situations you are working with now. Each program is A$2,700 per participant.
WHEN YOUR USUAL APPROACH ISN’T WORKING
Access Before Intervention
Foundations of Neuroaffirming Practice
Who it’s for: counsellors, allied health professionals and educators working with autistic and other neurodivergent people.
Your client misses appointments, goes quiet or struggles with a plan that made sense in the session. You want to help, but you’re running out of ideas.
Build confidence in what to do when a session or plan isn’t working for an autistic or neurodivergent client.
What this can mean for your practice:
- Feel more confident when a client goes quiet, misses sessions or can’t use a plan
- Work out what to change in the session instead of repeating what isn’t working
- Build plans with clients that better fit their day-to-day lives
A$2,700 per participant
Explore access before interventionWHEN YOUR CLIENT SAYS THEY’RE FINE
Behind the Mask
Identity, Safety and Authenticity in Practice
Who it’s for: counsellors, psychologists, social workers and allied health professionals working with autistic and other neurodivergent people.
Your client looks like they’re coping. Then you discover they have been exhausted or struggling for weeks. How do you make room for the conversation you may be missing?
Build confidence in understanding what a client needs, even when the full picture isn’t obvious in the room.
What this can mean for your practice:
- Feel more confident starting conversations when a client seems fine but may be struggling
- Understand more of what matters to your client without pressuring them to disclose
- Make plans together that reflect the effort and support behind their day
A$2,700 per participant
Explore behind the maskWHEN EVERY SUGGESTION IS MET WITH A NO
From Compliance to Collaboration
Autonomy and Demand in Practice
Who it’s for: counsellors, allied health professionals, educators and team leaders supporting neurodivergent children, young people and adults.
You offer ideas, set goals and try to move forward, but the person withdraws or gets upset. You don’t want to push harder, and you need another way to help.
Feel more confident finding a way forward when a client says no and your usual suggestions aren’t helping.
What this can mean for your practice:
- Know where to start when a client says no or withdraws from a plan
- Keep working together without relying on pressure or compliance
- Navigate disagreement and professional responsibilities with more confidence
A$2,700 per participant
Explore collaborationWHEN YOUR CLIENT IS EXHAUSTED
Beyond Burnout
Body, Capacity and Sustainable Support
Who it’s for: counsellors and allied health professionals supporting autistic and other neurodivergent people experiencing exhaustion or burnout.
Your client can no longer manage things they used to do. The strategies that once helped now feel like another demand, and you’re unsure where to start.
Know where to start when an autistic or neurodivergent client is exhausted and the usual plans aren’t helping.
What this can mean for your practice:
- Feel more confident supporting an exhausted client when old strategies aren’t helping
- Work out what may be adding to the load before suggesting another plan
- Support recovery while recognising when other health support is needed
A$2,700 per participant
Explore beyond burnoutYour next session matters
You don’t need every answer. You do need a place to start.
Choose the area where you want to build your understanding, ask better questions and find a way forward with your clients.
Explore the programs