Demystifying and Thriving: Understanding MAPs and Fostering Fulfilling Lives
May 2-4, 2025
Ohio, USA
B4U-ACT’s first two-day conference, held in Ohio in May 2025, was a resounding success for MAPs, researchers, psychotherapists and other attendees. Didactic and research-based sessions alternated with MAPs’ descriptions and discoveries of their own lived experience, deepening understanding and connection between MAPs and non-MAPs.
Our new, three-hour introductory course for therapists and researchers launched the day on Saturday. “A Map to MAPs: Understanding MAPS, their Mental Health and Best Practices” is designed for therapists and researchers and will evolve into a standalone class available online. Further sessions dealt with shame and stigma, successes and pitfalls in therapy, and intersectionality and neurodivergence in the MAP community. Optional processing meetings created safe spaces for MAPs and non-MAPs to respond to what might have been new or disturbing ideas.
MAPs and non-MAPs mingled at Friday evening’s meet-and-greet and at lunch and coffee breaks, sharing insights and getting to know each other. Saturday evening’s Trivia Night offered more chances to learn and have fun.
Organizers are already excited about next year’s two-day conference, and hope to pack it with even more information and community.
