Training In CBT & Other Evidence-Based Psychological Therapies
Introduction
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adulthood can profoundly affect day-to-day life and cause significant emotional distress. There is growing evidence that CBT can offer significant support for the core challenges (or symptoms) themselves as well as clients’ coping responses and emotional distress.
This workshop presents a neuro-affirmative, formulation-driven approach to individual CBT for adults with ADHD. It presents a step-by-step guide to formulating and planning interventions, based on the manual from a randomised controlled trial (Dittner et al., 2018). It will describe a range of techniques that can be selected as indicated by the formulation and the client’s needs and goals. It will also consider how to adapt the style and content of therapy to make it more accessible for adults with ADHD.
This workshop aims to improve therapist knowledge, skills and confidence in using CBT to support adults with ADHD. It may also be helpful in adapting practice for people with difficulties with inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity but who do not have a formal diagnosis of adult ADHD.
The event will be equivalent to 5.1/2 hrs of CPD.
Content
This workshop presents a neuro-affirmative approach to using CBT to support adults with ADHD.
It will first describe the background to formulation-driven CBT for adults with ADHD, including the psychological needs of adults with ADHD and the rationale for for using formulation-driven CBT for CBT for adults with ADHD.
It will suggest ways to scaffold therapy to make it more accessible and ways to engage and motivate clients.
It will then present the main components of the therapy as it was delivered in the trial.
It will present assessment, co-developing the formulation and agreeing therapy goals.
Then it will cover ‘active therapy’ including:
- Using behavioural approaches to help build healthy habits and address common ADHD challenges
- Identifying and addressing common automatic thoughts, beliefs and coping
- Managing emotional experiences to address common challenges such as impulsivity and procrastination.
It will then cover summarising and preparing the client for more independent work to maintain their therapeutic gains once sessions are finished.
Learning Objectives
To become familiar with the impact of ADHD on functioning and the associated psychological distress
To become familiar with a cognitive behavioural formulation of adult ADHD including common beliefs and coping
To become familiar with the main ways to adapt and deliver CBT for adults with ADHD
To become more confident to adapt and deliver CBT for adults with ADHD
Training Modalities
Didactic content, Q&A, video roleplay, self-experiential components and polls
Key References
Dittner, A.J., Hodsoll, J., Rimes, K.A., Russell, A.J. and Chalder, T. (2017). Cognitive-behavioural therapy for adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a proof of concept randomised controlled trial. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 137(2), pp.125–137. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.12836.
Ramsay, J.R. and Rostain, A.L. (2014). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult ADHD : an integrative psychosocial and medical approach. New York: Routledge, Taylor and Francis.
Safren, S.A., Sprich, S.E., Perlman, C.A. and Otto, M.W. (2017). Mastering your adult ADHD: a cognitive-behavioral treatment program : therapist guide. New York: Oxford University Press.
Young, S. and Bramham, J. (2012). Cognitive-behavioural therapy for ADHD in adolescents and adults: a psychological guide to practice. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell.
About the presenter
Dr Antonia Dittner is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust where she leads the National Adult ADHD and Autism Psychology Service, a national service specialising in psychological therapies for adults with neurodevelopmental conditions. She has worked in the NHS for over 20 years in a range of settings, and for many of those years with adults with neurodevelopmental conditions. Antonia has carried out research investigating cognitive behavioural aspects of Adult ADHD, including a randomised controlled trial investigating a formulation-driven cognitive behavioural approach to treating adults with ADHD. She is co-author of a forthcoming book on CBT for Adults with ADHD.
Dr Hannah Winfield is a Senior Clinical Psychologist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, working with Dr Dittner at the National Adult ADHD and Autism Psychology Service. She has worked in the NHS for over 20 years, with a broad range of experience including in primary care, with long-term health conditions and personality difficulties. She is an Honorary Teaching Fellow at University College London, teaching and supervising on the Postgraduate Diploma for CBT for Personality Disorders. She has a diagnosis of ADHD.
Who should attend
This event is suitable for CBT practitioners working with adults in primary and secondary care.