IMAGERY TECHNIQUES AND BEHAVIOURAL EXPERIMENTS IN MORE COMPLEX ANXIETY DISORDERS
Ann Hackmann
30th March 2010

The workshop will open with a short presentation on the importance of developing an appropriate metacognitive perspective when working with complex cases. Specific methods for enhancing metacognitive awareness will be presented.
This will be followed with a workshop on using imagery techniques in more complex anxiety disorders. This workshop will demonstrate how to access imagery, how to examine the encapsulated meanings and metacognitive beliefs about its significance, and how to work out what keeps the anxiety going. The usefulness of microformulation skills will be explored. Next a series of techniques targeting imagery and maintenance factors will be presented. These will include:-
• Teaching clients to discriminate between images and reality using behavioural experiments
• Testing the reality of thought-action fusion using behavioural experiments
• Using manipulation of imagery to challenge metacognitive beliefs (including schizotypal beliefs)
• Placing imagery in a broader, more realistic context by transforming imagery using guided discovery and Socratic questioning
• Discovering the origins of imagery using the emotional bridge technique
• Using imagery rescripting to update key early memories
• Working with metaphorical imagery to bring about change at the schematic level
• Generating positive images of the future to instill hope and motivation
• Using compassionate imagery, and visualising new ways of being
The workshop will include presentation of case examples with co-morbidity and other complex aspects, including Axis II features and/or unusual beliefs An update on recent research including trials of imagery re-scripting will be provided.
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Cost: £125 (or £230 for two days if booked together with 29th March)
Venue: McInnes Room, Warneford Hospital

Closed for applications