Download a printable application form (PDF, 277k) for this course.
Until the late 1980s, anxiety as a mental health problem was significantly more common than depression in the UK. Over the last 20 years this situation has reversed with an estimated 1.8 million new cases of depression arising each year (Lavender 2008). New data already suggests however that the pendulum is beginning to swing back the other way (APMS 2009). This growing trend in anxiety based problems will continue, presenting new challenges for practitioners working with clients with psychological difficulties.
This highly practical and evidence based course run by Consultant Clinical Psychologist Paul Grantham will outline the evidence for the growing anxiety epidemic and will explore the current state of knowledge and evidence based skills for addressing anxiety based problems including: GAD and chronic worry, PTSD. OCD and phobic problems.
STOP PRESS: Course feedback
"I very much enjoyed the training with its various techniques and the focus on different psychological diagnoses." DF, Psychologist
"Fantastic day. Very engaging course; with materials that I would like to build upon further. Particularly liked Mr Grantham's style of delivery." ML, Counsellor
"Course content & process very appropriate to my work as a counsellor. Challenging to reconsider how I work." MC, Counsellor
Course Outline:
09.15 Registration and refreshments (for 10.00 am start)
10.00 The new “anxiety epidemic”
Historical background
The relationship between economy, culture and mental health problems
Age, ethnicity and gender issues
10.30 The limitations of “traditional anxiety management” approaches
Current evidence base
The paradox of control and suppression
The limitations of a purely educational and skills training model
A BSFT approach to anxiety
11.15 Refreshments
11.45 Working with meta-cognitions in anxiety
The central role of meta-cognitions with GAD and worry
Strategies for identifying and weakening dysfunctional meta-cognitions
12.20 The role of cognitive imagery in PTSD and phobic reactions
Research summary on the role of visual cognitions and anxiety
Visual cognitive techniques and anxiety
13.00 Lunch
14.00 The role of acceptance strategies in addressing anxiety problems
The current evidence base
Mindfulness and anxiety
The contribution of other 3rd wave approaches
14.45 Working with OCD
How “cognitive” do interventions have to be?
Working with “unmotivated” OCD clients
15.15 Refreshments
15.45 PTSD
The limitations of psychological debriefing
CBT vs. BSFT vs. EMDR approaches
16.30 Finish
Course Leader:
Paul Grantham
MSc, M.Clin.Psychol, C.Psychol
Paul is a clinical psychologist with a background within the NHS in community care. He currently trains extensively within the NHS, Social Services and the Independent sector on a range of therapy based topic areas. His interests currently lie in addressing obstacles to personal and behavioral change. An extensively informed, and humorous presenter, he emphasises the practical rather than just the theory of client based work
