Advanced Cognitive Behavior Therapy Experiential Workshop at Beck Institute: November 8 – 10, 2010

NOVEMBER 2010: (Left) Dr. Aaron Beck answers questions after conducting a live patient session that was viewed (via closed-circuit television) by participants in the Advanced Experiential Cognitive Behavior Therapy Workshop. The workshop was attended by psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors and other professionals who traveled from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Kingdom, and ten U.S. states. (Right) Dr. Judith Beck conducts a roleplay with Saima Salman, MSc, a psychotherapist from Singapore. The Advanced Workshop was designed for professionals at intermediate and advanced levels of training and experience who wanted to enhance their ability to deliver cognitive behavior therapy efficiently and effectively to clients who pose a challenge in treatment. Participants presented cases from their practices. Beck Institute faculty (Aaron T. Beck, M.D., Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., Leslie Sokol, Ph.D., and Norman Cotterell, Ph.D.) taught the group advanced conceptualization techniques and treatment planning, then demonstrated cognitive behavior therapy interventions through demonstration roleplays and supervised participants in dyadic roleplays. Many topics were covered, including anger, early trauma, self harm behavior, binge eating, substance abuse, anxiety, chronic depression, hopelessness and suicidalitiy. Developing the therapeutic relationship and engaging reluctant patients in treatment were emphasized.