Clinical Workshop Series 2011
A summary of the Workshops can be found below.
Enhancing Psychotherapy with Mindfulness
Friday 20 May, 9am – 4.30pm
Invited Speaker: Dr Angela Morgan
Dr Angela Morgan is the Psychology Clinic Manager at Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, and provides clinical training and supervision in the clinical psychology postgraduate program. Dr Morgan specialises in the application of mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches in clinical settings, with a particular interest in the treatment of eating disorders. As evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies grows, more clinicians are incorporating these interventions into their practice. However, while clinicians have embraced and understand the components of these interventions, there remains some uncertainty in conceptualising cases from a mindfulness perspective,tailoring mindfulness-based treatment plans to individual clients, andintegrating mindfulness with other approaches.
The goals of this workshop are to assist clinicians to refine their mindfulness conceptualisation skills, and to build confidence in tailoring and implementing mindfulness-based treatments for individual clients, and using mindfulness to enhance their current psychotherapeutic practice. Additionally, this workshop will addresscommon pitfalls associated with delivering mindfulness interventions.
Psychopharmacology for Non-Prescribers
Friday 17 June, 9am – 4.30pm
Invited Speaker: Dr Mark Boschen
Dr Mark Boschen is a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus. He is an active researcher and clinician in the area of OCD and adult anxiety disorders, publishing and presenting
widely both nationally and internationally. Mark is a regular presenter for the Australian Psychological Society on psychopharmacology, cognitive behaviour therapy, and treatment of adult anxiety disorders.
This workshop aims to educate psychologists and other health professionals about the range of medications used to treat psychological illness. The morning session focuses on the basic principles of psychophysiology and pharmacology that are required to understand the mechanisms of action of different medications. The afternoon session examines the range of medications available to treat mental illness, including antidepressants, anxiolytics, and antipsychotics. Particular focus is placed on antidepressants as some of the most widely prescribed agents encountered by mental health professionals.
Severe Behaviour Disorders in Children
Friday 1 July, 9am – 4.30pm
Invited Speaker: Dr Aaron Frost
Dr Aaron Frost is a well known private clinical psychologist with a specialisation in children with severe behavioural problems, and adults trying to change long term patterns of behaviour. He completed his PhD in 2005 looking at the causes of severe behavioural problems in children and has published in highly regarded international journals about these findings. More recently, Aaron has been involved as a supervisor of clinical psychology students from both UQ and Bond University, and has taught subjects on both child psychology as well as process in psychotherapy. Aaron has recently stepped aside as chair of the QLD branch of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists to dedicate more time to his private practice, where he has developed a system to monitor patient outcomes in order to constantly improve his own skills as a therapist.
This workshop will teach the essential of assessment, formulation and treatment planning for children with severe behavioural disorders including ODD and CD as well as behavioural difficulties within the autism spectrum. Participants will gain a practical understanding of key elements of behavioural, attachment, and family systems theory. These approaches will then be used to develop highly tailored treatments for children who may have been previously unresponsive
to psychological interventions. Participants will learn not only the practical skills of intervention with this difficult group, but also how to manage the process of working with a distressed family.
Supershrink vs Pseudoshrink
Friday 12 August, 9am – 4.30pm
Invited Speaker: Dr Aaron Frost
Dr Aaron Frost is a well known private clinical psychologist with a specialisation in children with severe behavioural problems, and adults trying to change long term patterns of behaviour. He completed his PhD in 2005 looking at the causes of severe behavioural problems in children and has published in highly regarded international journals about these findings. More recently, Aaron has been involved as a supervisor of clinical psychology students from both UQ andBond University, and has taught subjects on both child psychology as well as process in psychotherapy. Aaron has recently stepped aside as chair of the QLD branch of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists to dedicate more time to his private practice, where he has developed a system to monitor patient outcomes in order to constantly improve his own skills as a therapist.
Even within the most tightly controlled clinical research trial, there is always a greater difference in outcome between clients who are treated by the most effective therapists, and those treated by the least effective than there is between the treatment groups. We all know there are some of our colleagues whom we recommend to family and friends without hesitation, whilst others do not get the same ringing endorsement. Despite this, therapists invariably all rate themselves as
between A+ and A- in terms of effectiveness, as if the bell curve does not apply to us at all. However, there is increasingly strong evidence as to what makes the best therapists great, and what we can do for our clients in order to emulate their success.
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome
Friday 26 August, 9am – 4.30pm
Invited Speaker: Professor Tony Attwood
Professor Tony Attwood is a clinical psychologist and Senior Consultant at Minds & Hearts. He acquired his original qualifications in England, and achieved a PhD from the University of London. He has specialised in autism spectrum disorders, especially Asperger’s syndrome. Tony is an adjunct professor at Griffith University, Queensland. His book Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals has become one of the primary texts on Asperger’s Syndrome and has been translated into twenty languages. His current clinical interests are developing diagnostic procedures and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for emotion management for children and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome.
The workshop will focus on the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and Asperger’s syndrome, as well as management of challenging behaviour in children with autism. The diagnostic criteria for autism and Asperger’s syndrome are explained with an emphasis on the advantages and disadvantages of our current diagnostic criteria. The presentation will of value to practitioners by including a script and protocol to use in a diagnostic assessment. The diagnostic
procedures are applicable to children, teenagers and adults and include a DVD recording of a diagnostic assessment of a ten year old child with Asperger’s syndrome. The presentation also includes the latest theories with regard to the origins of Asperger’s syndrome and autism. There will be a focus on explanation and strategies with regard to repetitive behaviour, emotion management and the development of effective communication systems for emotions. The application of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to children with severe autism is discussed and how it can be applied to such individuals. The presentation will also include strategies to help with self-injurious behaviour and the improvement of social understanding and coping with change. Additionally, the workshop will also include a review of the latest research in autism spectrum disorders.
Motivational Interviewing
Friday 16 September, 9am – 4.30pm
The Speakers: Dr Stan Steindl
Dr Stan Steindl is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Brisbane. His clinical experience spans 18 years in both public and private practice settings. His PhD involved the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
and alcohol dependence comorbidity, in particular using motivational interviewing techniques to help prepare people for change. He is now a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, and conducts workshops on MI on a regular basis.
The workshop is designed to provide participants with introductory awareness and skills of motivational interviewing (MI). The workshop will focus firstly on the relational elements of MI as well as the important role of client language. Secondly, the workshop will introduce the technical elements of MI, namely the core skills used to elicit motivation. It will involve a combination of information and experiential exercises and is designed to provide practical ideas to be
used immediately with clients for enhancing motivation.