Client engagement is a crucial element of our work, without this it is extremely difficult to make any progress at all. Evidence shows that we all process, retain and respond to information (and requests) in differing ways – what works for one person may not work for another. The key to client engagement is the use of a range of effective communication styles to which our clients can relate, enabling us to make greater progress and take our work with clients to the next level.

Skilled workers who can utilise various communication styles will have more chance of developing rapport, building a trusting relationship, and enabling clients to fulfil their potential. These essential counselling skills can help you set goals, enhance motivation and inspire change. This two day workshop will introduce participants to a range of evidence based counselling/communication styles and practical tips, which will add to the skills they already possess.

Course Content:

• Understanding what constitutes good communication and how to do more of what works.
• Exploring the principles and components of effective communication and the importance of congruence.
• Considering practical strategies from MI, NLP and SFT to highlight principles of effective communication to minimise resistance.
• Managing barriers to effective communication and establishing therapeutic boundaries.
• The importance of explaining to the service user that they are actively involved in setting realistic, mutually agreed goals.
• Awareness of cultural factors that go beyond just finding an interpreter.
• Practising communication skills for building rapport and sustaining trusting relationships, including working with transference and counter transference.
• Exploring strategies such as Mindfulness Based Approaches for promoting a sense of calm that enhances effective communication in workers and service users.
• Exploring ways to evaluate effectiveness and outcome measures through self-reflection that is open to change –

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There has been increasing concern about the harm done by this legal drug; with growing media interest in its health and social impact. There are common misunderstandings around what constitutes ‘problem drinking’ and what just ‘social lubrication’ is. This course aims to raise awareness of the important issues and to consider what the recent, evidence based interventions can do to actively involve people who have or may develop problems with alcohol.

This one day course is aimed at those who need to have a working knowledge of how to use a person centred, collaborative approach to helping clients understand alcohol, its effects and the treatment options available. It will centre on skills to engage clients towards change and to help prevent relapse.

Course content

• The social context of alcohol and potential harms
• Physical and psychological effects (including problems associated with withdrawal)
• Types of problem drinking
• Skills and strategies for opportunistic brief interventions, dealing with ambivalence and resistance
• Principles of assessment and assessment tools
• Models of treatment (Abstinence & Harm Reduction)
• Medical interventions and signposting

To Book: Contact Junaid Zico

This one-day course is designed for all those who work with people and wish to add to their therapeutic skills. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is being applied to an ever increasing number of psychological problems including anxiety, depression, PTSD and substance misuse. This approach sees the unrealistic, maladaptive or unhelpful ways in which people think about themselves and the world around them as the root of emotional issues. CBT offers powerful strategies for helping clients to change both thinking and behavioural patterns.

Course content includes:

• Understanding of the key characteristics of CBT.
• Knowledge of assessment principles in CBT.
• Exploring ways of identifying Negative Automatic Thoughts and the concept of “self fulfilling prophecies”.
• Considering some of the central methods of therapeutic interventions such as Graded Exposure, Behavioural Experiments and challenging Cognitive Distortions.
• Dealing with resistance & relapse prevention.

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Dual Diagnosis is a new label for an old issue; that is people who have mental health problems and also use or are dependent upon drugs/alcohol. This one-day introductory course will enable participants to understand the often confused and contested debate around dual diagnosis and the difficulties involved in trying to access services. It will also focus on best practice when working with clients who have complex needs.

 Course content:

• Identifying the connection between drugs, alcohol and mental health
• Recognising the challenges of effective inter-agency working
• Increasing participants confidence when working with complex needs
• Drugs and mental health – concepts/definitions/interactions
• Categories of mental health problems
• Problems associated with Dual Diagnosis
• Department of Health Guidelines and Good Practice

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Anger is a powerful emotion, but it is a natural feeling. Everyone feels angry at times, yet for some it can become a habit that starts controlling their lives. Where anger becomes a problem it can lead to breakdown in communication and relationships. It can then also impact, negatively, on physical and psychological well being.

The aim of this one day course is to equip workers with a range of practical skills to assist those clients who have problems understanding and managing their own anger.

Course objectives and contents:

• Exploring anger and anger problems.
• Cognitive aspects of angry thoughts and triggers.
• Recognising the early signs and tips for preventing anger.
• Constructive ways of expressing discontent/frustration.
• Responding to and releasing anger once it arises.

To book Contact Junaid Zico

This 3 day integrated training programme is aimed at providing workers with a deeper understanding of Mental Health issues and skills for working with clients.

This course will introduce participants to contemporary, evidence based, best practice in Mental Health work and;

• Increase knowledge and skills
• Build confidence
• Deepen understanding and values
• Show evidence of continual professional development (CPD)

This programme is offered as a complete training package, participants are required to attend all sessions.

Dates: Wednesday October 30, Wednesday November 6 and Tuesday November 12

To Book Click Here.