Autistic Love through Self-Discovery, Acceptance & Compassion-Ali Cunningham Abbott

Episode 16 of the Neurodiverse Love with Mona Kay podcast, hosted by Neurodiverse Love with Mona Kay, titled "Autistic Love through Self-Discovery, Acceptance & Compassion-Ali Cunningham Abbott" was published on September 30, 2025 and runs 34 minutes.

September 30, 2025 ·34m · Neurodiverse Love with Mona Kay

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Summary

If you would like more information about the resources Mona offers through Neurodiverse Love you can check out her website at: Neurodiverselove.com——————————————————————————The process of self-discovery & acceptance as an autistic or neurodivergent person can be riddled with external and internal challenges. These challenges show up in our relationships with self & others but are navigable with the right supports and resources in place. This episode is a presentation from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference and includes key practices for enhancing self-acceptance and appreciation, through a compassion-focused lens, that can help us improve our connections with the self and others.Ali Cunningham Abbott, PhD, LMHC, QS has worked in higher education and mental health settings for the last 17 years. She is the Program Director & an Associate Professor in the CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. Prior to academia, she worked at Florida Atlantic University as the Assistant Director for the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) where she provided individual, couples, and family direct support and consultative services to the community. Currently, she provides individual counseling for adolescents and adults at the Center for the Treatment of Anxiety & Mood Disorders. Cunningham has presented on and published a book, book chapters and academic articles related to various topics including autism supports & advocacy, mental health first aid, counselor career preparation, and on advocacy for BIPOC, queer & trans communities. You can reach Ali at the link below:Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

Episode Description

If you would like more information about the resources Mona offers through Neurodiverse Love you can check out her website at: Neurodiverselove.com

——————————————————————————

The process of self-discovery & acceptance as an autistic or neurodivergent person can be riddled with external and internal challenges. These challenges show up in our relationships with self & others but are navigable with the right supports and resources in place. This episode is a presentation from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference and includes key practices for enhancing self-acceptance and appreciation, through a compassion-focused lens, that can help us improve our connections with the self and others.

Ali Cunningham Abbott, PhD, LMHC, QS has worked in higher education and mental health settings for the last 17 years. She is the Program Director & an Associate Professor in the CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. Prior to academia, she worked at Florida Atlantic University as the Assistant Director for the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) where she provided individual, couples, and family direct support and consultative services to the community. Currently, she provides individual counseling for adolescents and adults at the Center for the Treatment of Anxiety & Mood Disorders. Cunningham has presented on and published a book, book chapters and academic articles related to various topics including autism supports & advocacy, mental health first aid, counselor career preparation, and on advocacy for BIPOC, queer & trans communities.

You can reach Ali at the link below:

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program