Dori Zener, MSW, RSW, has been working with Neurodivergent individuals and their loved ones for over fifteen years. As an Individual, Relationship and Family Therapist, Dori uses person-centred evidence-based therapy techniques to help each client achieve their goals and enhance their lives. She is the Director of Dori Zener & Associates, a neurodiversity-affirming mental health agency in Toronto. Dori works with individuals across the lifespan and has expertise working with autistic girls, women and non-binary individuals.
Dori practices INVEST, a neurodiversity framework for providing counseling based on her clinical expertise. She is passionate about autism acceptance and endeavours to expand the understanding of autism through publications, workshops, research collaborations and corporate consultation.
Dori believes in the power of shared lived experience to foster connection and hope. She championed the development of four autistic-led peer support groups: Good Company, a support group for adult women and nonbinary individuals with official/self-diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum, Chilling on the Spectrum, a young adult support and social group, Navigating Work a unique group for Neurodivergent job seekers and Rainbow Spectrum Pride, a support group for autistic 2SLGBTQIA+ adults.
Client Focus: Preteens (9+ years), teens and adults diagnosed or self-diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum including Asperger’s Syndrome, learning differences and ADHD. Lifespan approach. Expertise working with girls and women.
Single Session Therapy + Resources: $350/90 minutes
Trainings/ Public Speaking on the following topics: INVEST Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy Model, Profile of Autistic girls & women, Autism & Mental Health
Treatment Orientation:
- Neurodiversity Framework
- Strengths-Based
- Person-Centred
- Solution Focused Therapy (SFT)
- Dialectical Behavioral (DBT)
- Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Services:
- Adjusting to change / life transitions
- Anger management
- Anxiety
- Behavioral issues
- Bullying
- Coping skills
- Depression
- Effective communication
- Emotion regulation
- Executive functioning
- Girls and Women with ASD
- Gender diversity
- Mood disorders
- Parenting
- Peer relationships
- Self esteem
- Sexuality and relationships
- Social skills
- Stress management
- Women’s issues
- Work performance
Therapy Options:
In person, telephone, online video conference or email therapy
Education:
Master of Social Work, University of Toronto, Faculty of Social Work
Bachelor of Arts (Hons.), Social and Political Theory, University of Western Ontario
Certificate in Solution-Focused Counselling, University of Toronto
Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) Accredited Provider
Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Ongoing training in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Publications
Autism in Adulthood. Mar 2021.11-17. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2020.29017.avk
Zener, D. (2019), “Helping autistic women thrive”, Advances in Autism, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 143-156. https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-10-2018-0042
Zener, D. (2019), “Journey to diagnosis for women with autism”, Advances in Autism, Vol. 5 Issue: 1, pp.2-13, https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-10-2018-0041
Contact Dori Zener to request full-text versions of the publications.
Multimedia
Radio Guest
The Dating and Relationship Show – Autism and Dating AM640 – 2019
Videos
“10 Tips for Enhancing Mental Health” – CAMH 2023
https://youtu.be/kRNVaMA3JCA
“Fostering well-being in Autistic girls and women”, Profile of girls and women, INVEST – ACT 2022
https://youtu.be/xyTp4x3BYS0
“PTSD & Sexual Assault” – AIDE Canada 2022
https://aidecanada.ca/resources/learn/crisis-response/ptsd-from-sexual-assault
INVESTing in Women & Girls with ASD: Identify Needs, Validate, Educate, Strengthen, and Thrive – 2018
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHFkezbvgdDZgIfIGXDjD32uF4ObMs4tE
Practical Strategies for Promoting Mental Wellness for Girls & Women with Autism – ACT 2017
https://www.actcommunity.ca/education/videos/practical-strategies-for-supporting-mental-wellness-of-teenage-girls-and-women-with-asd
Women on the Autism Spectrum and Eating Disorders: Implications for Treatment – NEDIC 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLvI1euWX-g&feature=youtu.be
