Somatic Psychology with Autistic Clients: Bringing the Body and Embodied Cognition into Therapy

CPD

Faculty

Abi Blakeslee, SEP, CMT, MFT, PhD Related seminars and products

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Dr. Abi Blakeslee is a leading voice in Somatic Psychology and an internationally acclaimed educator.  She is the founder of Implicit Psychotherapy and Up-Level Dream Work.  Dr. Blakeslee holds a PhD in Clinical and Somatic Psychology and an MA in Counseling and Depth Psychology.  She is senior faculty at Somatic Experiencing International, bringing decades worth of experience to her teaching and clinical interventions.  She is featured at Psychotherapy Networker, a world premiere therapy conference, and teaches world renowned PESI Somatic Psychology Certification programs and Master Classes. Dr. Blakeslee integrates the study of implicit memory and psychophysiology in clinical research, primary and secondary trauma interventions, neuro-consulting, and the psychobiological principles of attachment and shock trauma. Dr. Blakeslee teaches and consults worldwide.  She lives in Bozeman, Montana with her husband and enjoys the snow, mountains, and rivers with their three children.
 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Abi Blakeslee maintains a private practice and is the founder of Implicit Psychotherapy, and the co-founder of Relationship Repair, She has employment relationships with Somatic Experiencing International and Ergos Institute for Somatic Education. Dr. Blakeslee receives a speaking honorarium and product royalties from Psychotherapy Networker and PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Abi Blakeslee is a member of the American Association for Marriage Family Therapists, the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy, the Women in Neuroscience, and the Society for Neuroscience.

Additional Info

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Objectives

1. Differentiate patterns of sensory overload, dissociation, and bodily shutdown commonly experienced by autistic clients.
2. Integrate somatic tracking, pacing, and movement-based strategies to support regulation and embodied awareness.
3. Evaluate how sensory-based interventions can enhance communication, self-awareness, and therapeutic connection across the neurodiversity spectrum.

Outline

Foundations of Somatic Work with Autistic Clients

• Sensory and interoceptive diversity across the autism spectrum
• Regulation through predictability, pacing, and consent
• Creating sensory-safe spaces for embodied exploration
• Matching communication style and tempo to autonomic state

Building Body Awareness Safely

• Somatic tracking and pacing for tolerance of internal cues
• Use of movement micro-doses and “dual awareness” anchors
• Grounding tools for sensory overwhelm and dissociation
• Client-directed choice in awareness of sensation (increase or decrease)
• Limitations of the research and potential risks

Movement, Imagery, and Co-Regulation Techniques

• Movement metaphors for agency, safety, and self-expression
• Image-based body mapping and symbolic gestures
• Co-regulation through mirroring and rhythm-based interaction
• Adaptations for non-speaking or minimally verbal clients

Integration and Application in Practice

• Translating somatic strategies into daily life and routines
• Collaboration with caregivers and interdisciplinary teams
• Ethical and sensory-informed boundaries in body-based work
• Case discussions, clinical video examples, and group practice

Target Audience

• Counsellors 
• Educators
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Physicians
• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Speech-Language Pathologists