Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Practice: Effective Techniques for Treating Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Family-Based Turmoil

CPD

Handouts

Speaker

Avidan Milevsky, PhD, LCPC Related seminars and products

---

Avidan Milevsky, PhD, LCPC, has over 20 years of experience specializing in the broad application of cognitive behavioral interventions for multiple client difficulties. He is an associate professor of psychology at Ariel University and a psychotherapist at The Center for Mental Health in Bet Shemesh, Israel. He also serves as a psychotherapist at Wellspring Counseling in Towson, MD.

His clinical research has produced over 100 conference presentations, more than 30 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and six books including Will I Ever be Happy Again, Understanding Adolescents for the Helping Professional, and Sibling Issues in Therapy.

Dr. Milevsky has lectured to audiences in the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, and the Middle-East on various topics including cognitive behavioral interventions for individual and family issues, parenting, sibling relationships, and the intersection between spirituality and mental health.

He has been interviewed by national media about his work including stories in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press, Real Simple, and Allure magazine. Additionally, Dr. Milevsky is a columnist for Psychology Today and The Huffington Post on well-being issues. He has been a guest expert on TV and radio including an appearance on Public Radio International’s “The Takeaway.”

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Avidan Milevsky has employment relationships with the Center for Mental Health, Ariel University, and Wellspring Baltimore. He receives royalties as a published author. Dr. Milevsky receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He is a paid consultant for Evergreen Certifications. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Avidan Milevsky is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Association for Psychological Science, the Eastern Psychological Association, and the Society for Research in Child Development.

Objectives

1. Formulate the key components of CBT practice.
2. Implement rapport-building tips and tools to improve client trust.
3. Choose methods for conducting CBT psychoeducation to elicit motivation from clients.
4. Modify dysfunctional self-talk, thoughts and core beliefs.
5. Develop case conceptualization skills for treatment of DSM-5® conditions.
6. Assess behavioural techniques to modify maladaptive behaviours.
7. Evaluate key behavioural activation strategies useful for alleviating treatment resistant depression.
8. Recommend behavioural methods to overcome intrusive, obsessive compulsive thoughts.
9. Utilize the latest developments in trauma work.
10. Incorporate exposure and cognitive processing interventions used to treat PTSD and trauma.
11. Measure symptom management strategies for disorders.
12. Articulate the role of early maladaptive schemas in maintaining chronic conditions.
13. Apply assessment tools for CBT with individual and family dysfunction.

Outline

CBT Checklist

• The cognitive model
• Measurements and assessments
• Short term interventions
• Demystifying the process
• Accountability and independence
• Collaboration
• Education
• Continuity of sessions
• Establishing a therapeutic alliance
• Research risks and limitations

Techniques Used in CBT

• Empirical practice
• Case conceptualization roadmap

Cognitive Tools and Strategies

• Session agenda and assessment
• Automatic thoughts
• Core beliefs, assumptions, reactions, and coping
• Situational reactions

Modifying Rigid Cognitions and Core Beliefs

• Confronting automatic thoughts
• Cognitive distortions and automatic thoughts
• Modifying core beliefs

Behavioural Tools and Strategies

• Behaviourism in practice
• Systematic desensitization
• Hierarchy of fears
• Emotional and behavioural exposure
• Relaxation, breathing and mindfulness
• Goal setting and progress check
• Positive engagement and communication strategies
• Target behaviour selection
• Behaviour assessment
• Homework tasks

Offshoot Models and Third Wave Approaches

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Schema Therapy
• Mindfulness-Based CBT

CBT for Depression and Suicide

• Risk assessment strategies for suicidal ideation
• Cognitive model and modifying negative cognitions
• Behavioural activation
• Sleep hygiene
• Activity monitoring and scheduling
• Gratitude and meaning

CBT for Anger

• Cognitive model of anger
• Symptom management
• The zone of intervention

CBT for Anxiety

• Cognitive model of anxiety
• OCD, Generalized Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Panic Disorders, Phobias
• Hierarchy work
• Subjective Units of Distress Scale
• Exposure and Response Prevention
• Intrusive thoughts metacognitive strategies
• Behavioural experiments

CBT for Trauma and PTSD

• Neurological and memory foundations of trauma
• Prolonged Exposure
• Trauma narratives
• Childhood memories, traumas and core beliefs
• Experiential techniques

Family Turmoil and the Cognitive Model

• Family-based core beliefs
• The use of family support
• The Parental Context

Application to Clinical Practice with Case Studies and Role Plans

Target Audience

• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Counselors
• Social Workers
• Psychotherapists
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Case Managers
• Addiction Counselors
• Other Mental Health Professionals

Reviews