COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Preparing professionals who work with individuals with mental health issues with the knowledge and foundations of therapeutic intervention is essential in the treatment on clients with Mental Illness. CBT is an empirically validated psychotherapeutic treatment used to treat a variety of mental health disorders. It has been demonstrated through research and clinical evidence to be highly effective in the treatment of clients with mood, anxiety, personality, and psychotic disorders. 

This is a THREE-DAY training workshop; however, we have done it in two days depending on the number of participants. This is a very hands on training. This CBT training focuses on Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Related Disorders and will provide foundational, and knowledge based skills in Cognitive Conceptualization, Suicide Risk Assessment, Treating Dysfunctional Cognitions, Treatment Adherence, and Self-Management Techniques and Psychoeducation and Support. The cognitive perspective provides a conceptual framework along with clinical guidelines that makes therapeutic interventions with consumers with complex issues less confusing and frustrating. In addition, CBT techniques provide powerful tools for alleviating current distress and for accomplishing lasting changes.

Participants will learn fundamentals of cognitive behavior therapy through an experiential workshop under the direction of Dr. George Parris and Dr. Sonja Grbevski. This workshop focuses on CBT for depression and suicidality and anxiety disorders in adolescents and adults. 

At the end of this training, participants will be able to utilize the essential concepts, techniques, and strategies of CBT and apply this material in the treatment of depressive disorders. They will understand CBT’s conceptualization of Depressive and Related Disorders including Disruptive Mood Dysregulation, Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, and Substance/ Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Related Disorders. 

In addition, participants will learn strategies for trauma and its impact on Depressive Disorders. Participants will develop knowledge in understanding the role of cognition in psychopathology and they will be able to demonstrate CBT’s approach to developing rapport, structuring the sessions, using cognitive and behavioral interventions, developing homework assignments, dealing with non-compliance, and preventing relapse.

• Participants will learn the Essential Elements of CBT Intervention to Effectively treat Depressive and Related Disorders
• Participants with learn Evidence-Based Interventions in the Treatment of Depressive and Related Disorders  
• Participants will develop skills in Effective Case Formulation and Individualized Goal setting with clients
• Participants will develop skills in Implementing Effective Behavioural Strategies in the treatment of Depressive and Related Disorders
• Participants will develop skills in the use of CBT Techniques in the Treatment of Maladaptive Thoughts
• Participants will learn how to create a Case Conceptualization, Identify and Evaluate Maladaptive Thoughts and Incorporate Mindfulness in Treatment Planning
• Participants will learn how to think about Clinical Issues involved in Depressive and Related Disorders with clients from Diverse Backgrounds and Life Experiences

• Key Concepts of CBT
• Structure of Therapy Session
• Therapeutic Relationship 

• Cognitive Model
• Automatic Thoughts
• Core Beliefs, Assumptions, and Coping Strategies
• Cognitive Conceptualization Diagram

• Identifying, Evaluating, and Responding to Cognitions
• Socratic Questioning

• Collaboratively Designing Effective Action Plans 

• Cognitive Formulation
• Cognitive Model of Depression
• Conceptualizing Individual Clients
• Engaging Clients and Developing Therapeutic Alliance

• Developing Treatment
• Setting Goals
• Structuring Subsequent Sessions

• Identifying Automatic Thoughts
• Identifying and Responding to Automatic Thoughts and Beliefs
• Behavioral Activation
• Homework
• Techniques for Suicidal Clients
• Evaluating Automatic Thoughts Between Sessions
• Discussion

• Identifying and Modifying Core Beliefs
• Identifying and Modifying Intermediate Beliefs and Coping Strategies

• Case Formulation
• Cognitive Conceptualization and Case Conceptualization (CCD)
• Identifying and Responding to Automatic Thoughts and Beliefs

• Cognitive Model of Suicidal Clients
• Cognitive Restructuring: Identifying, Evaluating, and Responding to Automatic Thoughts and Beliefs

• Exposure Principles
• Behavioral Exercises
• Experiential Group Exercises

• Mindfulness Interventions
• Therapeutic Relationship
• Treatment Structure

• Understanding Clients Core Beliefs 
• Motivating Clients to Modify Core Beliefs
• Interventions with Complex Clients
• Reducing Self-Harm Behaviors
• Using CBT Rating Scale to Improve Treatment with Complex Clients
• Case Discussions

Training includes a total of two follow-ups to be completed at the two month and four-month period following the training.

Each participant will receive a comprehensive packet for each module. Each packet will contain training materials as well as handouts for daily use with clients. Each packet will be placed in a binder.

Upon completion of training, each participant will receive a certificate verifying that they have completed the CBT training for Depression and Suicidality, Anxiety and Personality Disorders. 

Our training can be modified to accommodate staff being away from work for extended periods; however, it will significantly reduce the content of the training.

George P. Parris, Ph.D., LPC, NCP, CRC, ABDA

Senior Diplomate and Disability Analyst

Certified Cognitive Therapist

CACBT-ACTCC- Certified in CBT

Member of Academy of Cognitive Therapy

Critical Stress Incidence and Trauma Specialist

Professor and Mental Health Consultant