COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY (CBT) FOR GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD) - A full day workshop of theory, skills and resources for immediate application
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic disorder characterised by excessive worry, accompanied by somatic symptoms such as restlessness, sleep disturbance, muscle tension and fatigue. It is one of the most common co-morbid disorders, particularly with major depression and other anxiety disorders. GAD is also frequently associated with chronic pain conditions, medically unexplained symptoms and sleep disorders. Estimates of lifetime prevalence range between 4.0% and 7.0%. Because of its frequently chronic course, GAD has the potential to create greater disruption in peoples' lives than other anxiety disorders. Historically, it has been less responsive to psychological treatment than other anxiety disorders, and until around 2000, studies reviewing treatment outcomes based on standard CBT interventions found limited improvements.
In the last 15 years a number of conceptual models explaining the underlying processes in GAD have emerged, based on research with GAD patients. As a result, our understanding of the disorder and the processes that underlie it has expanded. Consequently, there has been a significant transformation in CBT treatments for GAD. Many conventional therapies (including deep relaxation, cognitive disputing and problem solving) have given way to new, more innovative treatments. Many of these involve addressing cognitive processes rather than challenging the content of threat focused thoughts. There is strong evidence suggesting that worry represents a coping strategy designed to avoid future unwanted events or serves to prepare the person for the worst-case scenario. A common thread linking the conceptual models is that people believe worry is a helpful process. For this reason, challenging such ‘metacognitive beliefs’ about the benefits of worry is an important component of treatment.
This workshop focuses on practical skills development, including the ability to recognise, assess and diagnose GAD, and to provide treatment based on problem formulation for specific clients. Teaching modalities will include case studies, role-play and video demonstrations. A range of contemporary CBT strategies will be demonstrated, and participants will have the opportunity to raise examples from their own experience. In addition to workshop slides, participants will receive a number of prepared handouts for use with clients who have GAD.
Feedback from Sarah's recent presentations of this training:
“Sarah is a very experienced and competent facilitator who knows her material well. She is able to clearly convey this and I greatly valued her clear communication, knowledge, experience and professionalism. I got so much from today including amazing resources to use right away.”
“I really appreciated the mini summaries Sarah did throughout the day – helpful for consolidating learning. Loved the perfect mix of theory and prac. A perfect training day really!”
“The demonstrations are great – so much more engaging than didactic presentation of material. Also really liked use of real worries of our own rather than examples – made it more experiential and engaging. Sarah is friendly, professional, and well prepared. Thank you Sarah!
"Thank you. Sarah's presentation was very helpful. Lots of clear information, great resources and good demonstrations of how to apply techniques."
"Yet another highly professional PD from PDP. Sarah is so experienced and imparted knowledge, skill and resources. I gained so much for my practice. Please have her present more topics for PDP!"
"I learned great practical skills to apply in my practice!”
"Very informative, very useful, excellent."
"A very professional presentation - plain language, useful, up to date. Talented and knowledgeable presenter."
"Sarah gave clear examples to relate to the topic, engaged the audience well. Great day and great venue."
"Sarah is a wonderfully engaging and knowledgeable presenter and the topic CBT for GAD was a great update for me."
"Relevant and skill enhancing! Thank you!"
"Great course, great presenter, good food and over-all an enjoyable day."
"Engaging, informative and very well presenter. I feel empowered!"
" Well rounded presentation like a 3-course meal! Good balance of theory and practice."
"Another excellent PDP presentation! Many thanks for having Sarah as a presenter. Is it possible for Sarah to present other topics as she is such a brilliant and clever presenter!"
Objectives
"This workshop will increase your understanding of GAD, and provide a range of practical tools and strategies to enable you to recognise and treat the disorder among your clients." Sarah Edelman
How will you benefit from this training?
POSITIVE CBT: FOCUSING ON WHAT IS WORKING RATHER THAN WHAT IS NOT - New dimensions in CBT that identify and use client strengths and resources.
Traditional CBT aims to identify and change clients’ unhelpful ways of thinking and patterns of unhelpful behaviour. Positive CBT shifts the focus from identifying what is not working in a client’s life to identifying what is working well for them, and helping the client build on these strengths. This fundamental change in perspective adds an important new dimension to CBT. Rather than exclusively focusing on deficits and how these can be addressed, Positive CBT allows therapists and clients to identify existing strengths and resources and harness these to develop resilience and achieve goals. Positive CBT skilfully combines traditional CBT techniques with techniques informed by Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Positive Psychology and integrates these fluently into a CBT framework.
The training session will include: (1) a brief overview of the theoretical underpinnings of Positive CBT; (2) the key differences between
Positive CBT and traditional CBT; (3) Positive CBT techniques; and (4) application of these strength-based Positive CBT techniques in therapeutic and coaching practice. Practical examples are provided throughout the session and participant contribution is encouraged.
Participants will also have the opportunity to practice using the new techniques in role-plays and discuss how the techniques could be adapted to and integrated into their existing practice.
Feedback from Renata’s recent presentations for PDP:
“Really interesting, really informative, well presented.”
“Thanks so much. Renata is an exceptional presenter and compels me to return to sessions that she runs!”
“This PDP session was one of the best I have ever attended. This is my second year with you and I love what you offer.
Thanks so much Renata!”
“Loved it Increased my own understanding in a gentle, non-judgmental and practical way.”
“Fabulous!! One of the best courses I’ve done with you (PDP)… well fed and happy!”
“Valuable information clearly presented. Case-studies and videos made it very relevant to practice.”
“Really informative and beneficial to my practice.”
“Great PD event – well structured, presenter very informative and engaging.”
“Loved Renata’s presentation style and her extensive knowledge.”
“Excellent presenter and presentation of a potentially difficult subject.”
“The whole day was set out fantastically! I learnt so much in such a practical way. Loved it!”
“Well organised, tailored training for a broad spectrum of settings.”
“Very interesting, informative and beneficial. Learnt a lot that I can carry into my practice at work.”
“The training was exceptional and offered an overview - Renata was a well of
knowledge.”
“Renata is wonderful. Thank you! Very informative. Fantastic presenter. Well prepared, energetic, lots of resources”
Objectives
Learning objectives of this training:
“Positive CBT offers a new and exciting perspective on traditional CBT that both therapist and clients will appreciate! Renata Porzig-Drummond
How will you benefit from attending this training?
Drs. Sokol and Fox have the knowledge base to bring you the most comprehensive and up-to-date information regarding CBT.
Written for mental health professionals, students, trainers, supervisors, teachers, and clinicians of all levels, this workbook is filled with practical, easy-to-understand tools to help you put theory into practice.
Filled with worksheets, coping cards, step-by-step plans and activities, this accessible guide will help you teach clients effective coping skills, which builds their confidence, and eliminates self-doubt—the most crucial part of treatment. These tools will help clients become their own therapist and sustain recovery across a variety of issues, including: