Ani Spooner

Passionate and experienced neurodivergent coach and social justice advocate with a robust background in supporting neurodivergent individuals or their families with emotional regulation, interpersonal dynamics, skills building and community resources. Skilled in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS), and Non-Violent Communication (NVC), with over 20 years of experience developing and facilitating educational programs, workshops, and family support systems. Dedicated to empowering clients through compassionate, evidence-based interventions and advocacy in both English and French.

• DBT Trainer, Family Connections, Sashbear Foundation, 16-Hour Leadership Training, 04/01/21, Present
• Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) Training, Dr. Ross Greene, 12-Hour Training, 08/01/21
• Non-Violent Communication (NVC) Trainer, Gina Cenciose, Parent Peer Leadership Program, 09/01/08, 07/01/09

• Board Director & Outreach Committee Member, Ottawa Network for Borderline Personality Disorder (ON-BPD), 06/01/23, Present, Collaborate on outreach initiatives to raise awareness on Chronic Emotion Dysregulation (CED) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)., Develop and deliver educational presentations for community stakeholders., Serve on the NAWG ON-BPD Outreach Program Committee to raise awareness about Chronic Emotion Dysregulation (CED) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in educational settings in Ottawa.
• Board Director, AboutFace, 03/01/20, 03/01/24, Contributed to strategic planning, policy development, and fiscal management., Led fundraising initiatives and served on the Fund Development and Scholarship Committees.

• Public Talk: Wait, is it (just) BPD? Emotional Dysregulation in BPD, ADHD, & Autism, ON-BPD Public Lecture, 06/12/24
• Article: CBC Point of View, Living with a Facial Difference, 11/18/19
• Interviews: Various media appearances on CBC, NPR, and iHeartRadio discussing facial differences and advocacy for neurodivergent individuals

• Concurrent Disorders: Ethics and Stigma in Borderline Personality Disorder and Substance Use Disorder, Shawn Fisk, CAPSA, 03/16/23
• Feminism, collaboration, and trauma-informed care: What the Violence Against Women (VAW) sector brings to the table, Emma Slaney Gose, MSW RSW, 10/25/22
• Practical Strategies to Support Your Loved One with Suicidal Thoughts, NEABPD & the FC Alumni Institute, Johanna Louie, 09/13/22
• The Connection Between Grief and Trauma, Dr. Frank Anderson and David Kessler, 02/21/23