Training In CBT & Other Evidence-Based Psychological Therapies
Introduction
Emerging adulthood, defined by the World Health Organization as the period from approximately 16 to 24 years of age, is a crucial phase marked by brain and social maturation, significant life transitions, and a peak in the incidence of common mental health disorders. Providing timely and effective treatment during this stage is essential for minimising the life-long impact of these conditions. However, in NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression (NHS TTad), younger adults often show poorer treatment outcomes compared to other age groups. This highlights the need to understand factors that may hinder treatment response among emerging adults, and to explore adaptations that can enhance outcomes in this population.
The event will be equivalent to 5.1/2 hrs of CPD.
Content
This workshop will provide an up-to-date overview of the research findings on psychological therapy outcomes for emerging adults, highlighting factors associated with poorer response. Case examples and videos materials will be used to illustrate common challenges encountered when working with emerging adults, helping participants to identify and formulate such issues in their own clinical practice. The workshop will focus on ways of adapting therapy to enhance engagement and outcomes, including guidance on when and how to involve family members and close others, and other systems around the client.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will have:
• A deeper understanding of the unique social, emotional, and cognitive challenges faced by individuals aged 16–24 years.
• Increased awareness of psychological therapy outcomes for emerging adults, including factors linked to poorer treatment response within this age group.
• Enhanced knowledge of the common challenges clinicians encounter when working with emerging adult clients.
• Insight into adaptations that can be made to optimise psychological therapy outcomes for emerging adults.
Training Modalities
The workshop will include didactic content and video material, with case examples integrated throughout. Polls and quizzes will be used, and there will be Q&A for sharing experiences.
Key References
Buckman, J. E., Stott, J., Main, N., Antonie, D. M., Singh, S., Naqvi, S. A., ... & Saunders, R. (2023). Understanding the psychological therapy treatment outcomes for young adults who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), moderators of outcomes, and what might be done to improve them. Psychological Medicine, 53(7), 2808-2819.
Barnett, P., Arundell, L. L., Saunders, R., Matthews, H., & Pilling, S. (2021). The efficacy of psychological interventions for the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders in university students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 280, 381-406.
Barnett, P., Saunders, R., Buckman, J. E., Cardoso, A., Cirkovic, M., Leibowitz, J., ... & Pilling, S. (2022). Are students less likely to respond to routinely delivered psychological treatment? A retrospective cohort analysis. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 119, 152348.
About the presenter
Georgina is an Associate Professor in Young People’s Mental Health and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy at University College London (UCL). Georgina trained as a Clinical Psychologist at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, and then worked for 15 years in a national and specialist service for young people at the Maudsley Hospital. In parallel, she undertook two fellowships and completed a PhD in behavioural genetics. Georgina joined UCL in 2022, where she co-leads the Anxiety, self-Image and Mood (AIM) Lab. Much of her research is focused on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), with the goal of better understanding the phenomenology, mechanisms, and treatment of these conditions, especially in young people. Within UCL’s University Clinic, Georgina established and leads a specialist service for young people aged 18-24 years with BDD and related conditions. Georgina is a member of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist.
Who should attend
This workshop is aimed at therapists working in adult mental health settings, who wish to build confidence in working with emerging adults. The content will be primarily aimed at High Intensity Therapists but will also be relevant to Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners working in NHS TTad, as well as clinicians delivering psychological therapy in other adult mental health settings. The focus will be on cognitive behaviour therapy, but many of the common challenges and necessary adaptations when working with emerging adults are applicable across various therapeutic modalities.