Axis Mundi Child & Family Therapy

18/09/2024

We are incredibly proud to announce that our own Becky O'Neill, LCSW, CAS, has been selected as a ZERO TO THREE 2024-26 Fellow! 📷 This prestigious program brings together 20 early childhood leaders from around the world to drive transformative change in the field of early childhood development.

Over the next 18 months, Becky will collaborate with experts in areas like infant & early childhood mental health, early childhood policy, and systems change—all to help improve the lives of babies, toddlers, and their families. We can't wait to see the incredible impact she will make amplifying neurodivergent voices and advocating for neurodiversity-affirming assessment and early intervention through this incredible Fellowship! Congratulations, Becky!

Selected from a pool of 225 applicants, these exceptional Fellows represent a range of professional specialties, including infant and early childhood mental health clinical services, program administration, research and early childhood policy. They serve in urban and rural communities across the U.S...

06/09/2024

We are so excited to share that our founder, Becky O'Neill, LCSW, CAS, have been selected to present at the Attachment and Trauma Network's 8th Annual Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools Virtual Conference in February 2025! Becky will be presenting on a topic Axis Mundi is exceptionally passionate about: Understanding and Supporting Neurodivergent Children: A Trauma-Informed, Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach to Stress and Regulation with Shanker's Self-Reg Framework. We can't wait to bring this important framework that challenges the existing behavioral paradigm that so often traumatizes our neurodivergent students to another audience of professionals dedicated to creating healthy educational environments for all of our learners!

It's sure to be a great conference (with other amazing speakers like Dan Siegel, Kristin Neff, and Anashay Wright!) and early bird registration starts soon! Check out the link below for more info!

Attachment and Trauma Network (ATN) Annual Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools Conference the largest gathering of educators in the world.

23/08/2024

Early Childhood Tablet Use: What's the Big Deal? Quite a lot, actually!
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2822089

21/08/2024

A sense of safety is an essential component of learning. When the environment is perceived as a threat (whether accurately or inaccurately), the brain focuses on what it needs to in order to survive, and that's not generally algebra! When you don't feel safe, the ability to learn is compromised so taking the time to create rapport and relationship in the classroom, therapy room, or any space can make all the difference!

19/08/2024

Happy first day of the new school year to all the students, teachers, and school staff! We're rooting for you!

07/08/2024

It is with extreme gratitude that we celebrate Axis Mundi Child & Family Therapy's first anniversary! When we welcomed our first clients it was impossible to imagine the ways we'd grow in just one quick year! We couldn't have done it without the amazing children and families we serve: we are so grateful to be on your team and can't wait to continue bringing strengths-based, neurodiversity affirming services for years to come! Thank you for supporting us as we support you!

18/07/2024

When scary things happen in the world, from natural disasters to political upheaval, kids are often overwhelmed and parents struggle to know how to support them. Follow along for tips on how to support kids (and grown ups!) when the news is scary!

16/07/2024

Huge thanks to my friend and mentor, Tammi Van Hollander, LCSW, for allowing me to contribute to her newest book, The Bibliotherapy Toolbox! I'm grateful for the opportunity to bring a neurodiversity affirming approach and interventions to this amazing resource for play therapists and other mental health professionals serving children and families!

26/06/2024

We're so grateful to our friends at The Trauma and Attachment Network for including our recommendations for creating truly neurodiversity-affirming and inclusive classrooms on their latest Regulated and Relational Podcast! Want to learn more about what you can do to support autistic and other neurodivergent students at school? Take a listen through the link below!

06/06/2024

A recent study from The Australian National University and The University of Queensland has shown what those of us who've worked with autistic and other neurodivergent individuals have always suspected and actually autistic self advocates have been saying for years: Autistic individuals are more vulnerable to developing PTSD. The study shows that even mild stressors can alter brain circuits in autistic individuals that are indicative of PTSD. Another reason why trauma-informed, neurodiversity affirming supports, accommodations, and clinical treatment with the neurodivergent community is so important.

Individuals on the autism spectrum are particularly susceptible to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

02/06/2024

Can playing therapeutically applied role playing games, like we do in our teen D&D groups and elementary Hero Kids groups, support neurodivergent and neurotypical kids in their communication, regulation, and engagement skill development? You bet! Play + Special Interests = big gains and lots of fun!

A UVA doctoral student found a role-playing game similar to Dungeons & Dragons may provide unexpected ways to communicate and teach.

10/05/2024

We love gaming in therapy with our clients! There are so many benefits to applying digital play in work with children, teens, adults, and groups, both in person and through telehealth. Check out the link below to learn how therapists like us are SWITCHing things up in the therapy room!
https://www.nintendolife.com/features/how-nintendo-switch-is-being-used-by-a-new-generation-of-therapists?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0FQOv_O-P5lFLvA-G-4MdGr_JdrUmqiuXI4cV4_qCajFMZWpINuKPxZFs_aem_AXbhsFAdcJqfVxMCUbHDFahsKqYB-UTrS4_CZXyDJqAcNf5aJHd2u7PUfI8Z_FPiRha-XCicy3WfnGS94pGjvJsw

Cooperative healing in handheld hybrid form

04/05/2024

Happy Star Wars Day and May the Fourth be with you!

01/05/2024

We're excited to share that we will be presenters at the bi-annual Virginia Association of School Social Worker's state conference this October on a topic we are incredibly passionate about: Neurodiversity affirming clinical approaches to supporting autistic students and families in schools. As neurodiversity-affirming clinicians and inclusion advocates, we know the systemic barriers neurodivergent students face navigating the school system and are so excited to offer a new way of conceptualizing student stress responses in the classroom and building educator and clinician skills in supporting every learner's success, no matter their neurotype! Want to learn more? We offer clinical trainings to clinicians, educators, parents, and communities! Email us at [email protected]

23/04/2024

A very Happy Passover to all who celebrate!

02/04/2024

07/03/2024

27/02/2024

You geek out in play therapy? What's that even mean?? Duh, we do things like draw D&D characters with kids and go on pretend adventures to help them feel what it’s like to be the hero of their own story! Therapeutic applications of TTRPGs, like Dungeons and Dragons and Hero Kids, give clients the opportunity to try on new identities, battle their fears, and overcome challenges, all within the safety of play!