This workshop will cover psychological models of voices and CBT skills and techniques for working with voices.

Background: Recent research suggests that voice hearing experiences occur on a continuum throughout the population and that their occurrence increases in response to stress, isolation and fatigue. The development of voices has been conceptualised as the external attribution of involuntary thoughts, which is exacerbated by negative emotions. Indeed, depression and self-esteem have been linked with the severity and negative content of voices. It is this process by which voices are externalised and attributions and beliefs develop concerning their origin, and their relative malevolence and omnipotence that is the focus of intervention. Beliefs about voices, and particularly beliefs of omnipotence, are particularly important as they are the most predictive of distress and compliance with voices. CBT approaches to voices focus on developing a shared understanding of voices and reactions (e.g. resistance, engagement) to the experience, irrespective of the level of insight.

Key learning objectives: The key learning objectives are to (i) become aware of therapeutic styles necessary for working with voice hearers; (ii) have an understanding of key issues to be covered in the assessment of voices; (iii) have the opportunity to practice doing formulations for individuals with voices; (iv) learn CBT skills and techniques for changing distress and beliefs about voices.

Training modalities: The introduction to current research and psychological models will be primarily didactic. The skills based element of the workshop will be experiential.

Registration required:

Yes

Free:

No