Training In CBT & Other Evidence-Based Psychological Therapies
Introduction
In an increasingly diverse society, it’s vital that as mental health practitioners in the NHS Talking Therapies service, we are equipped to create therapeutic spaces that are inclusive. This interactive, one-day workshop is designed to deepen our understanding and skills in creating therapeutic environments that honour unique cultural, neurodiverse, and personal experiences in the therapy room.
Guided by the principles of Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD), we will explore together how to cultivate more inclusive practice. Through experiential learning, self-reflection, practice videos and case study, we will gain insight into the nuanced ways culture, creativity, and neurodiversity can impact experience and develop actionable skill for translating these insights into our daily practice.
The event will be equivalent to 5.1/2 hrs of CPD.
Content
1. Creativity in Therapeutic Spaces
Exploring Creative Approaches: We will explore how creativity can enhance the therapeutic process in PCE-CfD to build inclusive, sensitive and individualised practice.
Creative Modalities: Whether art, music or metaphor, diverse creative approaches can empower our expression and allow for deeper engagement through verbal and non-verbal means.
Impact on Practice: We will consider how creative approaches can be incorporated into our practice to offer clients alternative ways of connecting with emotion and experiencing, especially when verbal communication may be a barrier.
2. Cultural Sensitivity and Responsiveness
Understanding Cultural and Social Contexts: We will give attention to deepening awareness of how cultural heritage and identity act to shape mental health experiences, stigma, and perceptions of therapy.
Self-Reflection on Bias: Through guided reflection, the workshop will invite examination of cultural assumptions and biases we may bring to our own work to better understand how these can influence our therapeutic stance and client interactions.
Adapting to Cultural Needs: Consideration of how to respectfully integrate clients’ cultural perspectives and practices into the therapy room, to move towards creating more inclusive and validating therapeutic experiences.
3. Neurodiversity in Therapeutic Practice
Understanding Neurodiversity: We will explore neurodiversity, intersectionality and how this can shape therapeutic needs and experiences.
Inclusive Communication Styles: We will consider together a wide range of issues including potential language adaptation, sensory considerations, and pacing.
Personal Bias and Assumptions: We will reflect on our attitudes toward, and experience of, neurodiversity and how to adjust our practice to embrace and honour these differences in an empowering and inclusive way.
4. Intersectionality in Therapy
Intersectional Insights: We will explore how multiple facets of identity (e.g., culture, neurodiversity, gender, sexuality) intersect in ways that shape experience and therapeutic needs.
Videos/ Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios: Engage with examples to better understand how overlapping identities can impact mental health and therapy outcomes.
Applying an Intersectional Lens: Learn together to build more nuanced, personalised, and inclusive therapeutic relationships by recognising and valuing the complexity of lived experience.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, you will:
• Deepen Self-Reflection and Self-Awareness: Increase awareness of personal biases and assumptions, examining how these influence therapeutic approaches and client interactions.
• Enhance Cultural Sensitivity and Adaptation: Develop culturally sensitive practice that respects and incorporates heritage, traditions, and values into the therapeutic process.
• Embrace Neurodiversity in Practice: Gain specific understanding to adapt to and affirm diverse cognitive and sensory needs, to improve accessibility, comfort and more satisfying therapeutic experiences.
• Integrate Creativity for Deeper Connection: Understand how creative modalities can offer alternative ways to process emotions and experience, expanding our PCE-CfD practice.
• Implement Intersectional Approaches: Apply an intersectional perspective to create more inclusive and flexible therapeutic spaces that honour each client's unique identity and challenges.
Training Modalities
Didactic content, experiential components, video illustration, Q&A.
Key References
Day-Vines, N. L., Bryan, J., Brodar, J. R., & Griffin, D. (2022). Grappling with race: A national study of the broaching attitudes and behavior of school counselors, clinical mental health counselors, and counselor trainees. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 50, 25–34. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12231
Paul, L., Chang, D. F., & Britney, C. (2024) Psychotherapy in Black and White: An examination of how race is discussed in a sample of black american clients and White American counselors. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, Vol 18(3), Aug 2024, 230-238
Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2022). Counseling the Culturally Diverse: Theory and Practice (9th ed.). Wiley.
Tervalon, M., & Murray-Garcia, J. (1998). Cultural Humility Versus Cultural Competence: A Critical Distinction in Defining Physician Training Outcomes in Multicultural Education. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 9(2), 117-125.
About the presenter
Peter is a senior counselling and psychotherapy professional, researcher and trainer in the psychological professions. He has a long background as both, a clinician within NHS multi-disciplinary teams in disability and mental health and, as an academic and trainer, developing and delivering curriculums and competence frameworks in collaboration with a variety of NHS, professional and statutory body and academic and research HEI colleagues.
Peter has been active in the development of counselling, psychotherapy, and the broader psychological professions for many years. He led the Metanoia Institute team that wrote the National Curriculum for Counselling for Depression (now PCE-CfD) in collaboration with the research and professional conduct departments at BACP. He has continued to be instrumental in the ongoing development of PCE-CfD, as Director of Clinical Training at Metanoia and as a member of the NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) National Expert Advisory Group. He has been a lecturer and leader in HEI for more than 20 years, has published a number of books, book chapters and journal articles.
Who should attend
This workshop is open to all PCE-CfD practitioners working within the NHS Talking Therapies services. It is particularly relevant for those seeking to enhance inclusivity and develop best practice in this therapeutic approach.