Alison Bourdeau

Dr. Alison Bourdeau, PhD, LMFT

Child & Family Therapist

Specialties: Child therapy (ages 2+) • Family therapy •Trauma • Childhood anxiety • Family transitions

Superpower: Creating calm in chaos through humor to build trust quickly and ensure that clients feel safe, supported, and understood.

Dr. Bourdeau has served as faculty atCACREP-accredited programs including Florida Atlantic University (adjunct), andSt. Bonaventure University (assistant professor). Courses taught spanpsychopathology, counseling theories, research methods, assessment, practicumand internship supervision, multicultural mental health, and human sexuality.

She has also worked in the capacityas an early intervention provider at United Cerebral Palsy of Miami and hastaught as an ESE teacher for 12 years.

Dr. Bourdeau has also worked as aclinical support specialist for Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Autism& Related Disabilities, providing free education, training, and support tofamilies, schools and community agencies in both Palm Beach and Martin countiesfor six years.

Education

Ph.D. Counseling-Florida Atlantic University
M.S. Ed., Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapy- University of Miami
M.S. Ed., Exceptional Student Education/ Pre-Kindergarten Disabilities/ESOL- University of Miami
B.S. Ed., Elementary Education & Psychology- University of Miami

Licensure

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, FL

Advanced Trainings

Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills® (PEERS®) Certified Provider
UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2)

Publications

Bourdeau, A. (2020). ASD into Adulthood: Managing Challenging Sexual Behaviors. In Whitby, P. S. (2020). Cases on Teaching Sexuality Education to Individuals with Autism (pp. 1-300).
Bourdeau, A. & Cunningham Abbott, A. (2019). Understanding family dynamics. In Cunningham Abbott, A. (2019). Counseling adults with autism: A comprehensive toolkit. New York: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.
Bourdeau, A. & Cunningham Abbott, A. (2019). Building social cognition skills. In Cunningham Abbott, A. (2019). Counseling adults with autism: A comprehensive toolkit. New York: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.

Professional Service & Board Leadership

National Alliance on Mental Illness of Palm Beach County (NAMI PBC)
Vice President, Board of Directors 2019-2021
Board Member, 2018-2019
South Florida Baker Act Task Force, 2018-2019
American Counseling Association, 2015-Present
Chi Sigma Iota-Beta Rho Chi Chapter, Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society
International, Florida Atlantic University, President, 2018-2019, President-Elect 2017

Academic Trainings

Bourdeau, A. (2020). Sex, Sexuality, & ASD: Rationale for having “The Talk.” State CARD Conference, Orlando, FL.
Bourdeau, A. (2019). ASD and Mental Health. Palm Beach County Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) (multiple dates). Palm Beach County, FL.
Bourdeau, A. (2019). The Spectrum of Support: Aiding Students with Autism. Palm Beach State College, Lake Worth, FL.
Bourdeau, A. (2019). ASD & Title IX Issues. Palm Beach State College, Lake Worth, FL.
Bourdeau, A. (2019). ASD & Mental Health. State CARD Conference Administrative Meeting, Orlando, FL.
Bourdeau, A. (2019). Hygiene and Sexuality for Individuals with ASD. State CARD Conference All Staff Meeting, Orlando, FL.
Bourdeau, A. (2019). The Friendship Factor: The Impact of Social Engagement on Well-Being. State CARD Conference, Orlando, FL.
Bourdeau, A. (2018). Opening the Social Circle: Tips for Young Adults to Socially Connect. Lynn University Transitions Conference, Boca Raton, FL.
Bourdeau, A. (2017). Counseling Adults with ASD: The Application of Evidence-Based Practices & Outcome Measures to Assess Treatment. FAU Center for Autism & Related Disabilities Summer Academy, Jupiter, FL.
Bourdeau, A. (2017). 10 Evidence-Based Tips for Counseling Adults with ASD. State CARD Conference, Orlando, FL.
Bourdeau, A. (2016). Counseling Adults with ASD: The Application of Evidence-Based Practices & Outcome Measures to Assess Treatment. Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Bourdeau, A. (2016).10 Tips for Counseling Adults with Autism. American Counseling Association, Montreal, Canada.
Bourdeau, A. (2016). Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder in University Students. Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, FL.
Bourdeau, A. (2015). Strategies for Working with Students with ASD for Health Professionals. Palm Beach County School District, FL.