Cognitive Self Defence
Foundation Workshop (3 Hours)
Overview: A transformative program for neurodiverse women ready to recognise, resist, and recover from cognitive and emotional manipulation in professional and personal spaces.
Workshop Outline:
| Time | Topic | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00–0:20 | Setting the Container: Safety & Solidarity | Group agreements |
| 0:20–0:55 | Understanding Cognitive Manipulation | Pattern recognition exercise |
| 0:55–1:15 | Break | |
| 1:15–1:50 | The Neurodivergent Experience: Why We're Targeted | Personal narrative sharing |
| 1:50–2:20 | Boundaries, Scripts & Exit Strategies | Role-play practice |
| 2:20–2:40 | Break | |
| 2:40–3:00 | Building Your Cognitive Armoury | Personal plan development |
Key Topics Covered:
Gaslighting, love-bombing, and cognitive manipulation tactics
Why neurodivergent women are disproportionately targeted
The intersection of masking, people-pleasing, and vulnerability
Recognising manipulation in professional hierarchies
Boundary setting when you're "too much" or "not enough"
Scripts for difficult conversations
Building support networks and safe exit strategies
Self-advocacy without burnout
Learning Outcomes:
Identify five common manipulation tactics in real-time
Recognise personal vulnerability patterns linked to neurodivergence
Apply boundary-setting scripts in professional and personal contexts
Develop a personal "cognitive armoury" of responses
Create a safety and support plan
Investment: $2,500
Intensive Program (Full Day)
The Difference: The full day allows for deeper trauma-informed processing, extended role-play in realistic scenarios, and comprehensive safety planning. Includes a pre-workshop reflection workbook and 30-day follow-up group session.
Additional Content:
Extended trauma-informed group work
Professional hierarchy and workplace bullying scenarios
Financial and legal safety planning
Digital safety and online manipulation
Building lasting support networks
30-day follow-up group session
Investment: $4,800
Deep Dive (2 Days)
The Difference: A residential-style immersive experience for women ready for profound transformation.
Day One covers all Intensive content.
Day Two focuses on leadership: how to support other neurodivergent women, advocacy skills, and optional peer facilitator training. Includes ongoing peer support network access.
Additional Content:
Peer support facilitation skills
Advocacy and community speaking
Supporting other neurodivergent women safely
Optional peer facilitator certification
Ongoing peer support network membership
3-month individual check-in
Investment: $9,000
Pricing based on up to 20 participants. Additional participants POA. Pricing includes digital participant workbook, handouts, templates and certificate. Additional fees apply per copy for physical workbooks. Travel outside metro Perth may incur additional costs. Willful Steps is committed to making our training accessible. If cost is a barrier for your school, NFP, or community organisation, please contact us to discuss subsidised or pro-bono arrangements.