Courses by experts on resilience, healing, and the mind

Current research and innovative interventions presented to psychologists, mental health practitioners, educators, individuals, family members and anyone looking to learn and grow personally or professionally. Specialty courses on the intersection of disability, neurdivergence and mental health.

Featured Courses

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Reframing Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): A Neuroaffirming Perspective with Dr. Stephen Shore & Dr. Robert Naseef

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) has become frequently mentioned in the autism community as a new diagnostic label often driven by anxiety and a need for control describing adamant refusal of everyday demands, often driven by anxiety and/or need for control. (Newson et al., 2003). PDA has been widely discussed and debated which adds an unnecessary new label, discouraging families, caretakers, teachers, therapists, and others in allied fields. Focusing on Neurodiversity Affirming Supports (NAS), we incorporate theoretical overviews of PDA and its alternative terms such as Pervasive Drive for Autonomy and Rational Demand Avoidance (RDA).

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MARI® Practitioner Clinical Training: Approved Certification Pathway

This approved clinical certification training equips therapists to guide individuals through transformative experiences. Using mandalas, paired symbols and colors, and interpretation within the life cycle framework, therapists help participants explore and better understand their inner world. Upon successful completion, Moringa provides guidance and support for the final certification step through MARI Creative Resources, Inc.

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Current Course Offerings

MARI® Practitioner Clinical Training Refresher Course

$495.00

The MARI Practitioner Refresher Training is designed for certified MARI practitioners who wish to revisit and deepen their understanding of the MARI process. This course provides a comprehensive review of key concepts, assessment techniques, and practical applications to enhance confidence and proficiency.

Participants will have the opportunity to refine their skills, explore updated methodologies, and engage in interactive discussions with fellow practitioners. Whether you’re looking to refresh your knowledge or strengthen your practice, this course offers valuable insights and hands-on experience.

Legal & Ethical Issues Impacting Persons with ASD & other Developmental Disabilities

$225.00

Ever wonder about the legal and ethical implications of providing therapy for those with developmental disabilities? This workshop will explore the history of the civil rights of persons with disabilities that have led to our current laws and protections on both a state and federal level. The workshop will also review the often misunderstood spectrum of decision-making capacity of these individuals from the individual, personal, social, and legal standpoints. The distinction between guardianship and power of attorney in PA will be presented as well as the process of appointing substitute decision makers, should they be necessary.

Reframing Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): A Neuroffirming Perspective

$225.00

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) has emerged as a means for individuals and families to frame “refusal” and “noncompliance” as a response driven by anxiety and/or need for control. P In this course, we engage wth autism self-advocate Stephen Shore, EdD and autism expert, family member and clinical psychologist Robert Naseef, PhD as they challenge PDA as a new diagnosis that is both unnecessary and dehumanizing. The presentation builds upon their recent article by the same title in Autism Spectrum News from July 2025 and incorporates theoretical overviews of PDA and its alternative terms such as Pervasive Drive for Autonomy and Rational Demand Avoidance (RDA).

MARI® Practitioner Clinical Training: Approved Certification Course & Material Kit

$1,895.00

This MARI® Practitioner Training Course develops therapists’ abilities to engage individuals in a creative process that does not rely solely on language. Therapists help individuals see parts of their inner world when they engage them in a process of drawing mandalas, selecting symbols, pairing symbols with colors, and interpreting their symbols as it relates to phases within the life cycle.

Suicide & Autism: Risk Factors & Prevention Strategies

$75.00

This workshop reviews how biological and social/environmental differences contribute to risk factors for persons with autism to engage in suicide behaviors. We will also explore distinctions in the warning signs for suicide as well as the use of traditional and recent tools for conducting an accurate risk assessment for this population. Finally, resources specific to supporting the ASD population and their mental health wil0 lbe provided.

Assessment of Mental Illness in persons with Developmental Disabilities

$225.00

Despite the high prevelance of mental illness in persons with different neurological profiles such as intellectual disability, developmental disability, Autism and ADHD, few assessment tools and frameworks target accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Join us as we explore tools just for this population that can strengthen your clinical skills and challenge your own person biases.

Introduction to the Mandala Assessment Research Instrument (MARI®): Implications for Clinical Practice

$100.00

This introductory level session is designed to present psychologists and allied behavioral health professionals with an introduction to Joan Kellogg’s Mandala Assessment Research Instrument (MARI) and discuss its implications for clinical practice. This tool, based in Jungian psychology, uses symbol, mandalas, and color to assist clients in expressing themselves in non-speaking manners.

The Use of Mindfulness-based Interventions in Treating Individuals with I/DD

$75.00

This session provides behavioral health professionals and caregivers an overview of how mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) and interventions informed by an Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) framework can support individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). Use of props to integrate into teaching and demonstrating mindfulness-based interventions are presented.

Certificate in Neuroaffiriming Behavioral Health Care

$1,500.00

The Moringa Institute’s Certificate in Neuroaffirming Behavioral Healthcare equips psychologists and allied mental health professionals with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation to provide truly inclusive, evidence-based care for neurodivergent individuals.

Future Course Offerings

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Introduction to Neurodiversity-Affirming Behavioral Health Care

As the Neurodiversity movement continues to gain momentum decades after it began, persons from all subgroups of Neurodiversity continue to advocate for mental health services that meet their unique needs, as well as speaking out against those approaches they find detrimental to their health and/or well-being. A shift from the medical to social model of disability lies at the heart of the philosophical underpinning of this movement. This workshop explores the basic tenets of Neurodiversity-Affirming care for behavioral health professionals and provides clinicians and allied professionals with concrete strategies to begin to employ in their work.

COMING DEC 25- Learn More

Impact of Neurodivergence on the Family System

Family systems theory views a family as an interconnected unit, where disability impacts all members. This perspective is vital for effective support and interventions. The workshop explores family dynamics, cultural context, and provides resources for therapeutic interventions. Attendees will gain insights into how disabilities can alter family roles and relationships and learn about strategies to strengthen family cohesion. Additionally, the workshop highlights the importance of considering each family member's unique experiences and the broader social and cultural influences that shape their interactions.

COMING DEC 25-Learn More

Exploring the compatibility of Applied Behavior Analysis to Neurodiversity-Affirming Care

As the incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased over the past few decades, so has the widespread reliance on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to assist children with ASD in acquiring specific skills, increasing compliance with expected behaviors and decreasing challenging behaviors. While initialed celebrated for the evidence-based results it produced, ABA has come under criticism recently by adults with ASD as well as professionals due to concerns relating to both its underlying philosophy as well as potential trauma experienced as a result of the interventions themselves.

COMING JAN 26-Learn More

Neurodiversity-affirming Psychotherapy Interventions

Coming January 2026 Traditionally, behavior interventions have been preferred to psychotherapeutic interventions for various subgroups of neurodivergent individuals. While there is a benefit to behavior interventions, this workshop explores emerging evidence of the potential for adapting traditional psychotherapeutic interventions to various sub-groups. These adaptations provide for the exploration of the lived experience of these individuals in terms of identity formation and self-esteem. Finally, the potential traumas that these individuals experience and the various therapeutic interventions to promote healing will be presented.

COMING JAN 26- Learn More

Why Choose Moringa Institute

American Psychology Association (APA) Approved Provider

Select courses are approved by the APA for continuing education credit for psychologists.

Instructors Accredited by National Association for the Dually Diagnosed

Select instructors have expertise in clinical support of persons with intellectual disability and co-occuring mental health conditions

Collaboration with Neurodivergent Instructors

Neurodivergent indivdiuals are included in the design, planning and delivery of relevant course content.

Professional Learning Platform

Moringa utilizes the Absorb Learning Management System to allow users to create unique accounts and maintain records and verification of all learning. Provides synchronous and asychronous learning opportunities.