In cooperation with the Icelandic Association of CBT

The workshop is a part of the specialized program in cognitive behavioral therapy. Taught in English.

Instructor: Helen Macdonald, Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist

This workshop will discuss the theoretical background, evidence and practice of using CBT interventions with people who have persistent pain.

Introduction:

Persistent pain is common in the global population and has an impact on all aspects of the person’s life, their circumstances and relationships. It can be caused by injury or illness, or there may be no known cause. CBT including ACT approaches has the strongest evidence-base for supporting people to live well with long term pain.

Topics covered:

The workshop will include:

·       - an overview of the impact of persistent pain, with a focus on working with adults who have chronic pain

·       - how physical and psychological experiences interact in the development and maintenance of persistent pain, using a bio-psycho-social approach.

·       - opportunities to consider assessment and formulation to understand the impact of pain and identify possible areas for change.

·       - How this then informs using evidence-based interventions with clients to enhance quality of life and engage in valued activities despite the impact of the pain.

What you will learn:

1.     - Participants will learn about persistent pain and its impact

2.     - Participants will be able to identify transferrable skills from their current CBT practice which can be applied to support self-management in persistent pain

3.     - Participants will learn about practical and therapeutic adaptations and how to apply them to support working with people who have long term pain

4.     - Using examples from clinical practice, participants will use a focus on the impact of pain to inform case conceptualisation and intervention planning, with demonstration, role plays and opportunities for discussion.

Who should enroll:

Cognitive Behaviour Therapists; Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. Professionals at all levels will benefit from this workshop.

Instructor:

Helen Macdonald Helen Macdonald is a Fellow of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies; and an Accredited Cognitive-Behavioural Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Trainer. She has more than 30 years' experience of delivering therapy; providing clinical supervision and teaching. She has a background in Mental Health Nursing, and is a Registered Practitioner Psychologist in Health, Consultant in EMDR; Senate Award Fellow of the University of Sheffield, , and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. She is Training Co-ordinator on the Board of the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies.

She has worked in adult mental health since 1983, specialising in CBT from 1990. She is an associate lecturer in CBT at the University of Sheffield leading the Long-term Conditions module for CBT therapists. She provides national and international workshops on CBT for persistent pain, long term health conditions and basic CBT skills.