Bespoke Members
Introduction
Training is important if you want to run CBT groups because service-users report unhelpful and sometimes harmful experiences in group therapy which can be mitigated through skilful facilitation. Interactive Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (GCBT) aims to maximise the positive peer-effects in group therapy, and to minimise the negative peer-effects.
The webinar will introduce the theory and practice of Interactive GCBT and will provide 20 Top Tips for planning and running successful treatment programmes and psycho-educational courses aiming for lower drop-out and higher patient satisfaction rates. The process of setting up a rolling group programme which makes the best use of limited resources will also be described.
The event will be equivalent to 2hrs of CPD.
Content
Competencies in the ability to deliver group-based interventions for people with Persistent Physical Health Problems, people with Personality Disorder, and with groups of children/young people and/or parents/carers, and Group Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy for depression have been set out in the CBT competencies framework (See: Competence Frameworks | UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences.) However, despite the publication of several GCBT textbooks to inform practice (Sandahl et al., 2020; Sochting, 2014; Scott, 2012; Bieling et al., 2009), there is no empirically-supported theory for Interactive GCBT.
Current models of GCBT acknowledge that awareness of group processes and group dynamics is vital. However there is little evidence regarding potentially different processes occurring within short- medium-term structured-directive CBT groups compared to unstructured-nondirective, longer-term, interpersonal or psychoanalytic group psychotherapies from where the data about therapeutic factors has been derived.
Nicola’s doctoral research study involved ten focus groups with former service-users, frontline practitioners, and managers to design a new psychotherapeutic intervention for employed service-users with moderate-severe recurrent depression, and a small feasibility study involving eight patients in a community-based GCBT treatment programme. Data analysis and integration revealed six plausible mechanisms of change that require clients’ acquisition, consolidation, and application of basic CBT concepts and skills. These mechanisms might be activated in group therapy via the skilful facilitation of peer interaction.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the class, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the potential benefits of peer interaction, and how to maximise these benefits through skilful facilitation of peer interaction.
2. Describe the potential risks of peer interaction, and how to minimise these risks through skilful facilitation of peer interaction.
3. Describe why Interactive GCBT might be the treatment of choice for certain patients.
Training Modalities
The webinar will involve some preparation learning activities. The content will be taught through a powerpoint presentation, demonstration, and self exercises.
Key References
Bieling, P.J., McCabe, R.E. and Antony, M.M., 2009. Cognitive-behavioral therapy in groups. Guilford Press.
Sandahl, C., Ahlin, H. N., Asklin-Westerdahl, C., Björling, M., Saracino, A. M., Wennlund, L., ... & Örhammar, A. (2020). Why group therapy works and how to do it: A guide for health and social care professionals. Routledge.
Scott, M.J., 2012. Simply effective group cognitive behaviour therapy: a practitioner's guide. Routledge.
Sochting, I., 2014. Cognitive behavioral group therapy: Challenges and opportunities. John Wiley & Sons.
About the presenter
Nicola Walker is the Convenor of the PGDip/MSc CBT programme at Goldsmiths, University of London. She is an Honorary Consultant Group Psychotherapist, North London Foundation Trust helping to set up CBT groups based on her experience of setting up a GCBT programme for Leeds and York Foundation Trust and running a NHS day hospital programme in Blackpool for clients with complex and chronic mental health problems. She has worked as a Highly Specialist Adult Psychotherapist and Nurse Consultant in NHS eating disorders services and as a Clinical Lead in NHS personality disorders services. Nicola is a BABCP accredited practitioner, trainer, and supervisor and qualified as a Group Analyst in 2010. She is a founding member and co-chair of the Group-CBT Special Interest Group and the IGA Research Forum.
Who should attend
This event is suitable for qualified and trainee PWPs and HITs working with groups in NHS Talking Therapies Services or equivalent and for anyone working with groups in recovery colleges, community, outpatient, inpatient settings.