Workshop Program 2022

The AACBT National Conference Committee is pleased to announce that we are hosting workshops on Saturday 15 October 2022.

VENUE

Full day workshop tickets:

AACBT Student Member $110, AACBT Member $295**/$325, Non-member $455

Half-day workshop tickets:

AACBT Student Member $55, AACBT Member $150**/$165, Non-member $230

Tickets are on sale now!

** Early bird pricing until 31 August 2022

REGISTER via the ticketing page

(use the drop down arrow on the main ticketing page to select your workshop)

Full day workshop:

Professor Willem Kuyken

Half-day workshops:

9am start

Dr Cammi Murrup-Stewart & Mr Samual Fisher

1:30pm start

Associate Professor Dana Wong

Workshop Supporter Transport Accident Commission (TAC)

 


Professor Willem Kuyken – keynote speaker

University of Oxford

 

Full day workshop: “Mindfulness (-based Cognitive Therapy) for life. Ancient wisdom meets modern psychology in the contemporary world.”

Professor Willem Kuyken is a research clinical psychologist who earned his PhD from the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, and his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Salomon’s Clinical Psychology Training Programme. He learned cognitive-behavioural therapy over two years as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Cognitive Therapy, University of Pennsylvania / Beck Institute, working with Aaron T. Beck. Since the mid-1990s, his training in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy has included: participation in MBCT/MBSR workshops and retreats; supervision with John Teasdale, Trish Bartley and others; and support of his mindfulness practice in the insight/vipassana tradition from Christina Feldman and Catherine McGee.

Since 2014 he has directed the Oxford Mindfulness Centre. Prof Kuyken was awarded the May Davidson award for clinical psychologists who “have made an outstanding contribution to the development of clinical psychology within the first ten years of their work as a qualified clinical psychologist.” He was “grand-fathered” as a Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy.


“What are you going to with this one wild and precious life?”

A line from the poem Summer Day, by Mary Oliver

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has made us all reflect on this question. As we emerge from the pandemic, the question of living well in the contemporary world has become a more pressing question. It is the same question that has been a driving force for the development of mindfulness-based programs.

Hundreds of millions of people have been introduced to mindfulness through apps (e.g., Insight Timer, Headspace and Calm), books (e.g., Mindfulness: Finding Peace in a Frantic World) and tens of thousands through face-to-face mindfulness-based interventions (such as Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy). This workshop will step back to take an overview of the demands of our contemporary world. It will explore the growing field of mindfulness and its applications. What have we learned from research, from developing and teaching mindfulness programs, and from our own mindfulness practice? How can we unlock all that we have learned to create a world without the devastating effects of depression, where people enjoy mental health and well-being and are resourced to meet the challenges of the next 50 years.


We will start by “unpacking” mindfulness, distilling its myriad meanings and offering a practical working definition. The workshop then sets out an approach to teaching mindfulness as a transformative, lifelong practice. It will provide a map and route plan for anyone learning or teaching mindfulness. It draws on the mutuality and dialogue between ancient contemplative traditions and modern psychology to provide a road map, compass and a set of foundational skills for life. More than this, it considers how these skills can help us to flourish in the midst of the challenges of the contemporary world. This synthesis of ancient and modern can clarify intentionality, offer an ethical framework and provide a novel perspective on what it means to be “the change we’d like to see in the world.”

The workshop is based on Willem Kuyken’s research program at the University of Oxford, the 2019 book, co-authored with Christina Feldman Mindfulness. Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Psychology and two forthcoming books on Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for life. Jon Kabat-Zinn has described these ideas as: “A tour de force that elaborates in exquisite detail–yet with utter accessibility and clarity–what mindfulness is and where it comes from, as well as its profound ethical foundation, clinical applications, growing evidence base, and potential for healing.” A large body of research is attests to mindfulness-based cognitive=therapy’s effectiveness in preventing depression, promoting mental health and in the latest randomized controlled trial, enabling flourishing.

 


Key Learning Objectives

  1. What is mindfulness?
  2. How can ancient wisdom and modern psychology together help us understand how distress and suffering are created and recreated? How can they help us understand how joy and well-being are created and sustained?
  3. How does mindfulness support the path from suffering to flourishing? Is mindfulness a technique or a way of being in the world – or both? How does it enable transformation?
  4. What would it take to reconceptualize secular mindfulness training as a transformative lifetime practice that helps people to live in the contemporary world – and more than this to shape the contemporary world in positive ways?
  5. What are the important questions around ethics and integrity for mindfulness practitioners, teachers and the wider field? What supports this inquiry?

Assumed Background Knowledge and Experience of Attendees

Intermediate level of knowledge – IE working knowledge; e.g., treated a few cases.


Implications / Applications of Learning for Clinical Practice

The workshop is primarily for anyone teaching mindfulness-based programs. However, it will also be of interest to those who are learning mindfulness who wish to deepen their understanding.


Duration & Format / Training Modalities

This workshop has 6 hours CPD, and includes morning and afternoon teas, and lunch.

The workshop will include teaching, opportunities for discussion, small group work and mindfulness practice. Extensive resources will be provided.


References – readings


A message from Willem Kuyken:

Dear colleagues:

It is privilege to be able to share our work on psychological approaches to depression, mental health and well-being with you. This list of resources anf folder contain copies of the slide deck and key papers.

Resource listing: https://bit.ly/3Lv16PR

Actual resources: https://bit.ly/3fWR2V3

I keep these up to date so it is worth checking back periodically as new content is added.

Best wishes,

Willem Kuyken

Ritblat Professor of Mindfulness and Psychological Science

University Department of Psychiatry

University of Oxford

Warneford Hospital

Oxford 0X3 7JX

Web profile: https://www.psych.ox.ac.uk/team/willem-kuyken


Dr Cammi Murrup-Stewart & Samual Fisher

Monash University

Half-day workshop (9am start):

“Developing a professional and clinical toolkit for being a First Nations ally”

Are you confused, unsure, unconfident or simply trying to improve your practice when it comes to working with First Nations people? Have you considered how social justice and equity should influence your practice? In this workshop, participants will begin to develop the knowledge and skills to be positive advocates and allies for First Nations mental health.

 

Dr Cammi Murrup-Stewart, is an Aboriginal woman with close ties to Wurundjeri Country and a family history impacted by the Stolen Generation policies. An Assistant Lecturer (Indigenous) and researcher at the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, her research focuses on the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal youth, with an emphasis on building the strategies young mob have for improving their wellbeing and mental health, using Indigenous methodologies, and supporting Indigenous students pursuing higher education. Her research aims to centre the voices of Indigenous peoples and other marginalised groups.

Cammi has over 8 years of experience in the international and local community development and health sectors, with a Bachelor and Masters in International Development. She has won a number of awards over the years, including the 2020 Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research – Indigenous Researcher. Cammi also lives with multiple disabilities and chronic illnesses, and advocates for greater accessibility and inclusion.

 

Samual Fisher is a Wakka Wakka man and is a part of the PhD (Clinical Psychology) program at Monash University. He has experience implementing cognitive behavioural therapy with high prevalence disorders and is passionate about decolonised approaches to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Samual’s clinical practice incorporates a holistic and culture-centred approach to improving mental health and wellbeing, and is influenced by his experiences as an Aboriginal man. His research involves understanding the practices and mental health benefits of Aboriginal men’s groups.


Improving the mental health of First Nations people in Australia requires proactive, engaged and reflective practitioners. The purpose of this workshop is to empower participants to be effective allies for First Nations people in both clinical practice and everyday life. Building on evidence-based research and Indigenous psychology, in this workshop, participants will unpack concepts of cultural safety, allyship and ethical practice for working with First Nations peoples. Using interactive group sessions, participants will learn to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ ways of knowing, being and affirm and protect these factors in health care practice; reflect on the ongoing influence of colonisation on mental health; explore the concepts of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing model; generate strategies for active allyship within professional practice; learn about effective communication within clinical relationships; and explore specific ethical guidelines for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. With a mix of self-reflective activities, roundtable discussions and interactive exercises, participants will begin to develop the knowledge and skills to be positive advocates and allies for First Nations mental health.

 


Key Learning Objectives

  1. Understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conceptualisations of health and wellbeing
  2. Describe culturally safe practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  3. Strengthen therapeutic relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through effective communication and allyship
  4. To learn how to better apply CBT to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients

Assumed Background Knowledge and Experience of Attendees

You need not have had extensive experience of working with First Nations clients.


Implications / Applications of Learning for Clinical Practice

Begin to develop the cultural safety skills and knowledge to be proactive, engaged and reflective practitioners in the context of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.


Duration & Format / Training Modalities

This half-day workshop has 3 hours CPD, and includes morning tea and lunch.

The day will include a mix of self-reflective activities, roundtable discussions and interactive exercises.


References – readings

 


Associate Professor Dana Wong

La Trobe University

Workshop Supporter Transport Accident Commission (TAC)

Half-day workshop (1:30pm start):

“How to effectively adapt CBT for people with cognitive impairment”

Cognitive impairments are highly prevalent in people seeking therapy for depression and anxiety. Learn ways to effectively adapt CBT so that this often-neglected group can benefit from tailored intervention to improve their mood and quality of life.

 

Associate Professor Dana Wong is an Associate Professor and Clinical Neuropsychologist in the School of Psychology and Public Health at La Trobe University, with active roles in research, teaching and clinical practice. She leads the eNACT (Neurorehabilitation And Clinical Translation) Research Group (www.latrobe.edu.au/enact), which focuses on innovative neuropsychological rehabilitation techniques to improve the lives of brain injury survivors, and enhancing clinical implementation of and clinician competence in these evidence-based interventions. She was awarded La Trobe’s Research Engagement and Impact Award in 2020. Dana’s focus on training top scientist-practitioners as a key element to clinical translation has been recognised with the 2018 Australian Psychological Society Early Career Teaching Award, the 2017 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence, the 2017 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Education (Innovation in Teaching), and the 2016 Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment (ASSBI) Clinical Innovation Award. Dana is currently President-Elect of ASSBI. She is an Editorial Board member for the journal Brain Impairment. In 2017 she led the development of BRAINSPaN, a multidisciplinary community of practice of clinicians and researchers in the brain impairment field. She is co-Chair of the Neuropsychological Intervention Special Interest Group of the International Neuropsychological Society; co-leads the Neuropsychology Advocacy working group; co-leads the Mental Health and Cognition stream of the Telehealth for Stroke Community of Practice; and is a committee member for the Organisation for Psychological Research into Stroke (OPsyRIS).


We now have evidence that despite the challenges presented by difficulties with learning, memory, cognitive flexibility, and metacognitive awareness, CBT can be adapted for people with cognitive impairments caused by conditions affecting the brain, to successfully treat anxiety and depression. This workshop will explain and demonstrate what these adaptations are and how they can be applied in clinical practice. Current research on therapist strategies and competencies identified to be important for effective adapted CBT will be presented, along with illustrative case examples. Using practical learning methods including experiential exercises, video demonstrations and role plays, workshop participants will:

  • learn to identify common presenting features of depression and anxiety in the context of brain conditions
  • observe, learn and practise key adaptations to CBT for people with cognitive impairments, based on the manualised Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Anxiety and Depression: Adapted for Brain Injury (CBT-ABI) program
  • outline challenges when working with cognitively impaired cohorts and explore potential ways to manage them

While the focus of the workshop will be on people with acquired brain injury, participants will learn adaptations and skills that can be readily applied to other clinical cohorts who experience cognitive impairments (e.g., substance use disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative disorders).

 


Key Learning Objectives

  1. To identify common presenting features of depression and anxiety in the context of conditions affecting the brain
  2. To learn how to adapt CBT for people with cognitive impairment, including general adaptations (e.g., in communication style) and those for specific CBT components (e.g., cognitive restructuring)
  3. To learn ways to manage challenges associated with therapeutic work with clients with cognitive impairments

Assumed Background Knowledge and Experience of Attendees

This workshop is best suited to attendees with an Intermediate level of knowledge, a working knowledge of ABI; e.g., treated a few cases


Implications / Applications of Learning for Clinical Practice

Participants will learn how to adapt CBT more confidently and competently for people with cognitive impairment, so that they can effectively treat depression and anxiety in this cohort.


Duration & Format / Training Modalities

This half-day workshop has 3 hours CPD, and includes lunch and afternoon tea.

The day will include lecture format, experiential practices, and clinical examples.


References – readings


Image Credits: supplied; Monash University; supplied; supplied