May 2025 Wellbeing Hub Talk: Improving mental health therapies for autistic people and their families- Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou

Our May Wellbeing Hub webinar celebrates the launch of a new book developed from Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou’s pioneering co-production project at the Anna Freud Centre. The project involved 25 autistic experts and allies working together to upskill the mental health workforce. Autistic people of all ages shared their experiences of both the challenges and successes in improving mental health therapies for, and with, autistic children, young people, and their families. The contributors challenge assumptions and stereotypes, while emphasizing the importance of agency, curiosity, and collaboration.

The book is co-edited by Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou, Professor Laura Crane, Dr. Russ Hurn, and Dr Damian Milton, and as the book’s lead editor, Georgia will be joining us to discuss collaborative approaches for professionals to share power and co-design models of support, fostering self-agency and creating supportive environments for autistic acceptance and wellbeing. Book co-authors will also join the panel to answer questions and further enrich the discussion.

Biography

Georgia is an Associate Professor in developmental psychology and mental health in neurodiversity and a BACP registered psychotherapist. She is also the National Strategic Lead and Program Director of a ground-breaking NHS funded program which aims to improve service delivery across mental health inpatient, community, residential special schools/colleges and youth justice services. Georgia has 20 years’ experience working with autistic people with and without a learning disability and their family members and has felt the benefits of involving them at the heart of clinical and educational decision making.