Personality disorder is a condition that can be difficult to describe or diagnose. It is a major challenge in the field of psychiatry. It is often characterised by a pervasive pattern of mood instability and difficult behaviours. This often creates a sense of confusion and can trigger negative feelings in those working with such clients.

 This one day course is aimed at anyone working in a supportive role with people who wish to gain a deeper understanding of this complex and troubling condition and how it is different from the more familiar mental health issues.

Course objectives and content:

• To explore the nature of ‘personality’
• To gain a deeper understanding of the nature of the types of different personality disorders ( Including narcissistic and borderline) and the “3 clusters”
• How to recognise the symptoms that characterise them, including DSM IV classifications
• To explore the theories around the causes of personality disorder, especially problems arising from difficulties in early bonding and attachment issues
• Through the use of case studies explore some of the difficulties in terms of working with personality disorder
• To explore the impact of destructive behaviours including illicit drugs and alcohol abuse
• To consider ways of managing own stress and feelings when working with those exhibiting personality difficulties
• To explore treatment options available in line with recent developments in psychological therapies and appropriate sign posting
• An awareness of cultural aspects in our understanding of personality disorder

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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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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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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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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.