Harnessing Compassion in Working With Individuals Experiencing Psychosis
Harnessing Compassion in Working With Individuals Experiencing Psychosis
Pricing
Information
Date & Time
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Description
Although existing psychological interventions for distressing voices and beliefs can be beneficial, many individuals experience ongoing difficulties, highlighting the need for innovative approaches that directly target embodied threat processes and relational dynamics. Experiencing distressing voices or distressing beliefs is associated with heightened threat responses, shame, and maladaptive patterns of fear, submission, and conflict that contribute to psychological distress and functional impairment. Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) offers a framework for cultivating physiological safeness and compassionate motivation before engaging with threatening stimuli. This presentation will describe the theoretical framework for Compassion Focused Therapy, provide examples of CFT techniques applicable at the different stages of therapy intervention, and will introduce a novel nine-session intervention integrating CFT with Virtual Reality for individuals who experience distressing voices. The intervention is delivered in three phases: (1) activating safeness physiology, (2) developing self-compassionate relating, and (3) compassionately engaging with voice-hearing conflicts and associated threats. Therapist led VR-assisted exercises are combined with imagery and reflective practices to support embodied compassion and graded engagement with distress. The intervention is designed for outpatient clinical and research settings and for adults experiencing ongoing voice-related distress.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
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Describe a theoretical definition of compassion.
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Explain the role of the threat, drive, and soothing systems within CFT.
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List 2-3 compassion focused therapy approaches for working with individuals experiencing distressing voices.
Educational Goal
Target Audience
- Addiction Professional
- Counselor
- Marriage & Family Therapist
- Nurse
- Physician
- Psychologist
- Social Worker
Presenters
Financially Sponsored By
- Ellenhorn