NORTHSIDE
TRAINING
Unveiling Masking
The term 'Masking' refers to the conscious or unconscious effort to suppress or hide traits, behaviours, or expressions to conform to societal norms.
This workshop explores the phenomenon of masking among
neurodivergent individuals, mainly those with ADHD and how we, as therapists and supervisors, can support them.
29 April 2025 6.00pm - 8.00pm Online
Course Information
Course content
We all hear about Masking, but what is it?
How can we recognise Masking in the therapy room?
How many different ways can someone mask?
How can we address these carefully and emphatically?
During this workshop, we will find the answers to these questions.
We will reflect on our masking and the masking we observed in others. We will explore what the mask is hiding and what lies underneath masking behaviour.
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We will delve into the reasons behind masking, including a desire for social acceptance, fear of judgment, or workplace survival and the hidden monster of Shame.
We will examine the societal pressures and stigmas that necessitate masking and how these dynamics vary across contexts, such as school, family, or
professional environments. We will also address the emotional toll of masking, including burnout, identity erosion, and mental health challenges while emphasising the importance of fostering inclusivity and acceptance.
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By combining personal narratives, interactive activities, and evidence-based research, this session aims to create awareness and promote understanding of how to work with Masking.
Learning Outcomes
The key outcomes from the workshop are:
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Better understand masking and the different types of masking
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Be able to account for masking within the treatment planning process.
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Develop your own unique approach of how to work with masking and neurodivergent clients.
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Broaden therapeutic skills to include supporting neurodivergent individuals who feel the need to mask
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Who is this workshop for?
The course is aimed at practitioners, trainees or students who would like to know more about working clients with ADHD.
About the trainer
Nea Clark is a PTSTA (Provisional Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst) in the field of psychotherapy. She has an MSc in TA psychotherapy.
She is based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, is a psychotherapist and supervisor in private practice. Nea leads supervision and therapy groups and presents on a range of topics.