Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a Therapeutic Modality for Individuals with Autism – 2/9/27
Date/Time
Time: 9:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Location: LIVESTREAM
Cost: $99.99
Credits: 5 CE Credits
Registration ends 30 minutes before the webinar opens.
Presenter(s)
CEU Creations presents:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a Therapeutic Modality for Individuals with Autism – 2/9/27
FEATURING:
- Practical CBT adaptations tailored to autistic clients’ communication, sensory, and learning needs.
- Strategies to address anxiety and depression while strengthening emotional regulation and coping skills.
EVENT INFO:
9:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Registration ends 30 minutes before the webinar opens.
COST:
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS:
Note: To earn a certificate, you must log in on time and remain on for the entire training. There is no automatic grace period for late arrivals. Login and logout times are recorded and documented in Zoom.
Social Workers:
ASWB ACE – 5 Clinical CE credits
Psychologists:
APA – 5 CE credits
Counselors:
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact hours
NY State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact hours
Addiction Professionals:
NAADAC – This course is not eligible for NAADAC Contact hours.
Nurses:
California Board of Registered Nursing – This course is not eligible for California Board of Registered Nursing Contact hours.
Case Managers:
CCMC – This course is not eligible for CCMC CE Contact hours.
Long-Term Care Administrators:
This course is not approved for NAB/NCERS participant hours.
Attendance or applied credit certificate available for other credentials.
Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credits.
Counselors: If this course awards Ethics hours, please note that some states do not recognize Ethics hours; in those cases, Contact hours will be awarded.
Target Audience: Social workers, psychologists, and counselors
Instructional Level: Intermediate
Counseling Skill Group:
N/A
OVERVIEW:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is being diagnosed at increasing rates across the United States, and many individuals with autism also experience co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Because these conditions often look different in autistic clients, and because differences in communication, sensory processing, and executive functioning can affect how therapy is received, clinicians need approaches that are both evidence-based and thoughtfully adapted. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has a growing research base supporting its use with individuals with autism, particularly when it is modified to fit each person’s strengths, needs, and learning style.
This 5-hour webinar begins with an overview of autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan, including common co-occurring conditions and key considerations for building rapport and delivering therapy with autistic clients. Participants will then explore the core principles of CBT and learn practical adaptations that make it more accessible, such as using visual supports, concrete language, structured sessions, and the client’s special interests, as well as involving caregivers or other supports when appropriate. Through examples and strategies, participants will leave with tools they can use right away to support emotional regulation, address anxiety and depression, and strengthen coping skills for the autistic individuals they serve.
OBJECTIVES:
By attending this training, you will be able to:
1. Describe the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan and the co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, that commonly affect individuals with autism.
2. Explain the relevance of cognitive behavioral therapy as a therapeutic modality for individuals with autism.
3. List the benefits and the cautions to consider when using cognitive behavioral therapy with individuals with autism.
4. Identify at least three adaptations that make cognitive behavioral therapy more accessible for autistic clients.
5. Apply at least three cognitive behavioral therapy strategies to case examples.
AGENDA (all times are Eastern):
10:00-1:00 Presentation (includes a 10-minute break)
1:00-1:40 Midway Reset
1:40-4:00 Presentation (includes a 10-minute break)
PRESENTER BIO:
Dr. Marsack-Topolewski is a tenured Professor of Social Work at Eastern Michigan University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Wayne State University, Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan, and her PhD in Social Work from Wayne State University. She has 20 years of experience supporting individuals with disabilities and their family caregivers and has worked with individuals with disabilities with co-occurring conditions, including chronic pain. Dr. Marsack-Topolewski has worked as a professor, clinical therapist, teacher, consultant, and speaker. She has published over 90 research articles in scholarly journals and encyclopedias regarding individuals with developmental disabilities, family caregiving, and formal social supports.
Dr. Marsack-Topolewski has served as the lead principal investigator on multiple grant-funded programs tailoring services for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. She is an appointed board member of the U.S. National Task Group (NTG) on Intellectual Disability and Dementia Practices. Dr. Marsack-Topolewski’s research has been featured on National Public Radio (NPR) and ABC News Detroit. Over the past five years, she testified before members of the Michigan Legislature to advocate for new laws that protect against the exploitation and abuse of adults with disabilities. Two of these house bills were signed into law in the state of Michigan in December 2023. In 2024, she received the Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Research Award for Research Excellence. In addition, she received the Arc of Oakland County’s Advocacy Hall of Fame Award in 2024. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband, their three daughters, and family and friends.
COURSE PARTICIPATION INFORMATION:
To ensure you are ready to participate, please review these tips and tricks to ensure a better webinar experience.
This live webinar is fully interactive; a computer is required. Attendees may ask and answer questions throughout the presentation and participate in instructor-led discussions. Zoom account is not required.
You will receive a reminder email approximately 24 hours prior to the start of the training and a link to join the webinar will be in your CEU Creations account under Member Profile.
To receive credit, you must log in on time, attend the entire presentation, and interact.
POST EVENT: When the training ends, your attendance will be processed using Zoom analytics. Once processed, the evaluation link will be available in your account and we ask that you complete it within 3 days of the training. Once your evaluation is complete, your certificate will be available in your CEU Creations account within 24-72 hours.
Please contact us at help@ceucreationsinc.com with any questions.
BOARD INFORMATION
SOCIAL WORKERS: CEU Creations, #1239, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/24-11/22/27. Social workers completing this course receive 5 Clinical CE credits.
PSYCHOLOGISTS: 5 CE credits. CEU Creations is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CEU Creations maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
COUNSELORS: 5 Contact hours 
CEU Creations has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6941. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEU Creations is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. CEU Creations, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0199. This activity is approved for 5 Contact hours.
ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS: This event is not eligible for NAADAC Contact hours.
NURSES: This event is not eligible for Nurses Contact hours. CEU Creations is an approved provider of nursing CEs through the California Board of Registered Nursing. Provider number: CEP17905. All states retain their own licensing authority through their own boards. Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure transferability of the CE credits.
Cancellation Policy: Registrants must cancel their registration in their CEU Creations account. No email, faxes, or mail cancellations will be accepted. Cancellation fee: $25. Refunds will not be given for cancellations within five (5) business days prior to the workshop date.
Accessibility Accommodations: At CEU Creations, we are dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for all individuals. We strive to ensure our continuing education content, website, and services are usable by everyone, regardless of ability. We are continually working to enhance accessibility and user experience for all of our users. If you encounter any barriers, have questions, or wish to request accommodations, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact us at help@ceucreationsinc.com and a member of our team will review your message and respond promptly.
Event Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy: In the event that CEU Creations cancels or reschedules an event, registered participants will be given the option to receive a full refund, a credit toward a different event of the same value, or to transfer their registration to the rescheduled date.