Supporting Neurodivergent Clients Through Sensory PlanningSensory plan

A CONNECT 2025 Conference Highlight — With Free Resource from Liam Spicer

Working with trauma is never simple. For many clinicians, supporting clients who live with complex trauma—particularly those who are neurodivergent—requires therapy that is attuned, flexible, and deeply human. This year at the CONNECT 2025 Conference in Sydney, attendees were offered a rare opportunity to dive into this intersection through a powerful presentation by Liam Spicer, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Psychologist, EMDR Trainer & Consultant, Accredited Schema Therapist, and PhD candidate.

Liam’s session, Schema Therapy and Neuro-divergent Clients, explored how clinicians can better understand the sensory, cognitive, and emotional experiences of Autistic and ADHD individuals engaged in Schema Therapy. As someone with his own lived experience with Autistism and ADHD, Liam brings not only professional expertise but also a deeply personal insight into what truly helps clients feel safe, seen, and supported.

To accompany his presentation, Liam generously provided a free Sensory Planning resource (scroll down) for practitioners—a simple but impactful tool to help clinicians tailor sessions in ways that reduce overwhelm, increase safety, and enhance therapeutic connection.

Why Sensory Planning Matters

Many neurodivergent clients experience the world through heightened or fluctuating sensory input. Trauma can amplify this. Without careful sensory consideration, therapy environments can unintentionally create barriers to engagement—bright lights, unpredictable noises, unexpected transitions, or even the pacing of a session can trigger shutdowns or distress.

Liam’s resource invites clinicians to pause and ask:

• How can I adapt this space to be safer for sensory needs?
• What signals does this client give when approaching overwhelm?
• How can I collaborate with them to co-design a supportive environment?

These simple questions can transform the therapeutic experience from tolerable to genuinely healing.

Dr Robert Brockman, who co-hosted CONNECT 2025 and helped bring this presentation to attendees, reflected on Liam’s contribution:

A Voice Grounding Theory in Humanity

“Liam has a rare ability to translate complex concepts into practical, compassionate tools that clinicians can use immediately. His lived experience enriches his teaching in a way that reminds us what truly matters in therapy: safety, attunement, and connection.” — Dr Robert Brockman.

This blend of academic expertise, clinical clarity, and authenticity is why Liam is such an important voice in the fields of Schema Therapy, EMDR, and neurodiversity-affirming practice.

About Liam Spicer

Liam has presented internationally across Europe, the U.S., and Asia on trauma, grief, Schema Therapy, Autism, ADHD, and EMDR. He coordinates Cairnmillar’s Postgraduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care, contributes to leading research—including work shaping Australia’s first MDMA-AP clinical guidelines for PTSD—and specialises clinically in supporting Autistic and ADHD adults through a neuroaffirming lens.

He is also the Director of the Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Conference Australia and continues to play an important role in advancing research and practice in this area.

Watch the CONNECT 2025 Recordings

If you missed the event – or want to revisit Liam’s session – all conference recordings can now be streamed here:

courses.schematherapytrainingonline.com/p/connect2025

Don’t forget to download the free Sensory Planning resource to support your work with neurodivergent clients.