SCU Online Mental Health Master Class

This series of face to face classes is offered to those enrolled in any of the SCU On-line Mental Health programmes. About this Event This series of face to face classes is offered to those enrolled in any of the SCU On-line Mental Health programmes as an opportunity to meet face to face with colleagues and develop or consolidate skills in mental health practice. People may also wish to attend a College of Mental Health Nursing symposium on the 22nd November.0830 - 1700 21st November 2019 - Block B Room 6.26MorningAdvanced Empathy: Responding therapeutically to people who express disturbing beliefs – Facilitated by Dr Richard LakemanEmpathic communication is the foundation of psychotherapy and an essential ingredient to developing a therapeutic alliance with people. It is the therapeutic alliance which tends to have the greatest impact on outcomes, even more so than technique in almost all kinds of therapy. This workshop will introduce the concept of empathy; what it is and how it can be communicated in a genuine, congruent way. A model of therapeutic engagement will then be extended to people who may express bizarre, disturbing or delusional ideas. Participants will have the opportunity to practice skills which will assist in maintaining a therapeutic alliance with people who may from time to time experience altered states of reality, psychosis or express beliefs which might alienate themselves from others.AfternoonWriting the problem formulation – Facilitated by Richard LakemanThis brief workshop is an introduction to the practical art of developing and writing mental health formulations which are grounded in the lived experience of the person and demonstrate the application of research and theory. Such formulations are helpful in demonstrating a critical understanding of the application of research and theory (required in graduate study) but they can also form the foundation of genuinely effective treatment and care.1430 The delivery of focused psychological strategies in routine care – Facilitated by Dr Mary EmeleusThis experiential workshop will explore a range of simple and focused psychological strategies that can be helpful to enhance mental health and wellbeing. These may be incorporated into routine care delivery as well as to improve one’s own mental health.