Advanced Psychotherapy Skills for Working with Somatic Symptoms

A number of patients experience bodily symptoms for which no clear physical cause can be found by medical professionals, and these individuals are at risk of ineffective interventions as well as unnecessary invasive procedures and medications. Such symptoms may include: chronic pain and gastro-intestinal problems, and various neurological symptoms such as muscle weakness, dizziness, and pseudo-seizures. Patients may be diagnosed with syndromes such as Irritable bowel syndrome, TMJ, fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis.

These somatic-related difficulties may be referred to as psycho-physiologic, ‘medically unexplained’ or functional neurological disorders. There is strong evidence to indicate that for some patients the cause is emotional dysregulation related to traumatic experiences. Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) offers effective techniques to diagnose and treat these underlying emotional factors.

ISTDP is an emotion-focused, accelerated form of dynamic psychotherapy with an excellent evidence base. It is is an active approach consisting of a targeted set of powerful and innovative techniques.

This 1-day workshop introduces the techniques used in this approach. Clinical video will demonstrate the treatment in action.

Learning Outcomes

• to understand the theoretical framework of ISTDP as it applies to somatic symptom disorders

• to identify specific interview techniques which can be used to diagnose emotional factors underlying physical symptoms

• to understand the different neuro-physiological unconscious anxiety pathways that impact on physical symptoms

• to understand the way in which unconscious maladaptive defences impact on and create physical symptoms

This seminar is suitable for registered clinicians working in mental health or allied fields. No previous training in ISTDP is required.

This is an in-person, interactive seminar and there will be opportunity for questions and discussion.

Note: Lunch and tea/coffee are included in the fee.

Presenter:

Dr Lewis is a chartered clinical psychologist registered with the British Psychological Society and the Health and Care Professions Council in the United Kingdom. She is an IEDTA certified teacher and supervisor and is at the forefront of training in ISTDP in the UK. She also presents nationally and internationally at workshops and conferences on Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. Her approach is based on the attachment-based model of ISTDP developed by Dr Robert Neborsky, MD.

Dr Lewis has experience both in private practice and in the NHS and has a particular interest in working with clients with anxiety difficulties and treatment-resistant depression, as well as those diagnosed with physical health conditions and functional neurological disorders.