Chair

Tal Dotan Ben Soussan

Patrizio Paoletti Foundation, Italy

Co-Chair

Khurram Sadiq

Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK

Session Introduction

Alan Dovey

University of Birmingham, UK

Title: Can too much resilience be a bad thing?

Time : 12:20-12:50

Biography:

Alan has work as lead consultant psychotherapist to major private manufacturing businesses (over 22,000 workforce) and West Midlands Fire Service, UK for over 18 years and has extensive clinical experience in treatment individuals with anxiety and depressive disorders. He has spoken at the World Congress in CBT, Japan 2005 and many other conferences regrading mental health and work. His specialist interest in burn-out has developed over the last 5 years due to the increased pressures from a biopsychosocial perspective. He developed the first UK training programme in conjunction with the At Work Partnership, UK and Brunel University training occupational health professionals in the use of CBT in their clinical area. He is Clinical Director, Working Minds UK.

 

Abstract:

At first this title might easily produce the answer “No”, but this presentation will hopefully open up reflective thought amongst practitioners in the field of positive psychology, clinical psychology and psychotherapy. I have worked as a Consultant Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist in the field of occupational health for 20 years and over the last 5 years I have seen more individuals with symptoms of acute and chronic “burn-out” than ever before. Burnout is a prolonged response to long-term emotional and interpersonal stressors on the job. The key dimensions of this response are overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of cynicism and detachment from the job, a sense of ineffectiveness and a lack of accomplishment. It is this “prolonged response” to pressure that maintains high appraisals of threat thus maintaining high arousal/anxiety on a biological level. Eventually symptoms of “burn out” develop and lead to clinical depression. Understanding how burnout can be prevented and treated in workplaces is of great importance both from a public health perspective and for businesses aiming to reduce absenteeism and increase productivity. Now the focus is on 2 areas- The environment- ensuring the workplace environment is conducive to employees’ health and well-being. The individual- ensuring the individual builds effective protective factors that act as emotional buffers to the environmental pressures. The latter requires practitioners to understand the concept of “over-resilience” as to how this can contribute to burn-out rather than a lack of protective factors. In their recent article Chamorro-Premuzic and Lusk (2017) allude to this by suggesting that even adaptive competencies become maladaptive if taken to the extreme. This presentation will provide a cognitive behavioural formulation of some of these maladaptive strategies he has experienced in clinical practice as well as the theory that underpins the role, they have in precipitating burn out.

Hideya Kodama

Akita University, Japan

Title: Resting heart rate variability and the effects of biofeedback intervention in women with low-risk pregnancy and prenatal childbirth fear

Time : 12:50-13:20

Biography:

Hideya Kodama is a Gynecologist and promoted to a Professor of the Department of Maternity Child Nursing at Akita University Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine in 1997. At the Doctorial course of the university, he studied about Nursing Science about a circadian rhyme, including a sleep-wake cycle, a melatonin rhythm, heart rate variability (HRV) and a body thermal rhythm. His research subjects include infants, pregnant women, adolescent girls and visiting nurses. Recently, he published two articles regarding an HRV biofeedback intervention for mental health problems of the pregnant women, regarding severe prenatal childbirth fear and psychological stress during the early postpartum period.

 

Abstract:

Most pregnant women are excited at the prospect of seeing their newborn children as the due date approaches, but many women become increasingly anxious about the delivery. Anxiety levels vary among women. Some women experience negligible anxiety, whereas some experience severe anxiety that can affect daily life. The women who have excessive childbirth fear will spend uneasy days with severe anxiety. Such anxiety not only lowers their quality of life but also increases birth-related risks, such as emergency cesarean section, prolonged labor, and postnatal depression. Consequently, in some cases, active counseling is provided to women with childbirth fear. However, there are some issues regarding whether actual intervention is performed or not. First, anxiety is usually a beneficial reaction and an inherent part of our fundamental self-preservation instinct. Therefore, the need for clinical intervention depends on whether the childbirth fear is causing severe anxiety in real life. Second, most women who experience significant childbirth fear are considered “low risk,” as they lack any specific risk factors, such as a traumatic past delivery, a psychiatric history, and medical/obstetric complications. Provably, childbirth fear in such women is rarely related to birth-related risks, and rarely manifests into severe anxiety. Therefore, immediate counseling may be an excessive intervention in many cases. The heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback is a technique in which the subject observes both respiratory and heart rates on a monitor, in order to try to synchronize the two curves until a sinusoidal pattern is obtained. When the pattern is obtained, the subject can maximize respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and become more resilient physically and emotionally. HRV biofeedback has been used as a complementary therapy in the treatment of various psychiatric diseases that are linked closely to psychological stress. As HRV biofeedback is simple and safe and involves almost no physical stress, several recent studies have considered its application for the treatment of daily anxiety in healthy individuals. Therefore, HRV biofeedback can be used for women with childbirth fear. In my contribution to this conference, he would like to talk about our clinical research regarding one of the mental health problems of pregnant women, prenatal childbirth fear. HRV biofeedback appeared to be effective intervention for lowering childbirth fear and perhaps improving their well-being. Considering the ease, safety, and high compliance associated with HRV biofeedback, it is recommended as a primary intervention for women with prenatal childbirth fear.

Break: Lunch Break 13:20-14:20 @ Bar Terraza

James Bush

Bush Counseling Services, USA

Title: Strategic approaches to sexual violence prevention in adolescents

Time : 15:20-15:50

Biography:

James Bush, a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Tennesssee. He completed his MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University. He is the Program Director of Youth Overcoming Drug Abuse. For years, his efforts have concentrated on the growing adolescent population within the Middle Tennessee area and surrounding counties, which has led to service through community events, and partnerships with various organizations. He has also provided trainings for many audiences, on the topics of sexual violence prevention, alcohol and drug abuse trends, anxiety relief, deep-breathing techniques, and adverse childhood experiences.

 

Abstract:

It is reported that 1 in 4 women report having experienced some sexual violence as oppose to their male counterparts who experience 1 in 6. Needless to say, sexual violence is a huge problem within our society. The after effects of this trauma have been linked to depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, hypersexuality, low self-esteem and low self-worth. Unfortunately, research suggest that trauma that is not treated can become chronic. To further this idea, an experience such as sexual violence that is not buffered by key social supports may create toxic stress within the brain. This falls in line with the research of adverse childhood experiences and building strong brains. Which demonstrates that experiences, actions, and thoughts are recorded in the neurons of the brain during developement. It also suggest that experiences that are most prevalent are most lasting within the brain even after it begins to prune the neurons around  the age of 14. This presentation aims to offer strategic approaches in working with adolescents from a primary and secondary prevention model. This keeps in line with the research of ACEs and resilience. The presentation offers to give clinicians and others in the audience practical knowledge on how to arm and empower adults and adolescents with pertinent knowledge to serve as a possible buffer to aid in the event of this atrocity. All in all, it is easier to build strong children then to repair broken individuals.

Anita P

AIIMS, India

Title: A study to assess personality, psychological distress and adjustment difficulties among nursing students at AIIMS

Time : 15:50-16:20

Biography:

Anita P is a graduate of College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and has also pursued her MSc in Psychiatric Nursing from the same institute. She has been awarded with second prize for scientific oral paper presentation in the 15^th Annual Conference of the Indian Academy of Geriatrics.

 

Abstract:

Background: Stress is linked to psychological distress and other adverse consequences on student’s health and wellbeing. Being in a profession closely related to life and death makes nursing students more prone to stress.
Aim: To assess personality, psychological distress and adjustment difficulties among nursing students at AIIMS.
Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 292 subjects enrolled in BSc (Hons) Nursing course at College of Nursing AIIMS, New Delhi. Data was collected by using Big Five Inventory, General Health Questionnaire and Adjustment Inventory for college students.
Results: Extrovert and neuroticism was found to be the most dominant type of personality trait among the nursing students. A high level of distress was experienced by 56.2% of the subjects, while low levels of psychological distress was experienced by 43.8%. No subjects belonged to excellent adjustment category while 2.1% of the subjects belonged to good overall adjustment category. Average overall adjustment was seen in 10.3% of the subjects and unsatisfactory and very unsatisfactory overall adjustment was seen in 40.7% and 46.9% of the subjects respectively. There was significant association found between neuroticism personality trait and psychological distress at p<0.05. A significant association also found between neurotic and conscientiousness personality trait with father’s education. Home, health and educational adjustment were found to be positively correlated with mother’s education. Neuroticism and openness to experience personality trait and also educational adjustment was found to have statistically significant relationship with duration of sleep. A significant relationship was also seen between psychological distress and health adjustment with the number of close friends.
Conclusion: Extrovert and neuroticism personality is dominant among the nursing students. Psychological distress is faced by majority of the subjects and majority of the subjects belonged to very unsatisfactory adjustment category. Therefore, student friendly environment is needed in the colleges to decrease to the level of distress faced by the students and to help them in easy adjustment.

Break: Networking & Refreshments 16:20-16:40 @ Bar Terraza

Breanna Lynn & Brittney Montgomery

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, USA 

Title: If orange really was the new black: examining trends seen across the incarcerated women population 

Time : 16:40-17:10

Biography:

Breanna Lynn is completing her Doctorate in Clinical Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She currently holds a MA in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and a BA in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She began her career working at the state psychiatric hospital in Nevada. Her time in Nevada was also spent doing program development for Nevada Senior Center; a non-profit organization specializing in geriatric care. Currently she is certified by the California Sex Offender Management Board as an Apprentice Treatment Provider. She also works as a forensic report writer, completing reports in both the civil and criminal field of forensic psychology. She hopes to continue her work with the sex offender population.
Brittney Montgomery is going into her second year of the Clinical Forensic Psychology Doctoral Program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology – Los Angeles. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge. She is a member of the Psi Chi Honor Society and a member of the Chicago School Student Association. She is currently focusing on her education and will be working at the Lost Angeles Mission this fall. She hopes to work for the court system, correctional system, and/or law enforcement in the roles of assessment and recidivisms reduction.

Abstract:

Research indicates that the population of women who are incarcerated is increasing exponentially. Over-crowding in the prison system becoming a more common occurrence, access to appropriate mental health services continue to be scarce. Due to society typically envisioning the male population when discussing individuals who are incarcerated there is far less consideration for the needs of women who are incarcerated. The mental health needs and resources for this special population often go underestimated and underserved. Incarcerated women bring about special challenges such as attachment as it relates to motherhood, increased prevalence of specific mental health diagnosis, and different needs to reduce recidivism. By examining the data, needs, and current resources for incarcerated women clinicians will able to develop a diverse perspective on how to more effectively treat and serve this specialized population. Research supports the Risk-Need-Responsivity model as an effective approach to treatment when working with criminal behavior. By illuminating the unique and specific needs of women in prison the ability to improve quality of care during and incarceration and success after release.

 

Moira Laura Eva Dechef

Jewish General Hospital, Canada

Title: Peeling the onion: interventions to stimulate, support, and sustain reading progress in a child psychiatry unit

Time : 17:10-17:40

Biography:

Moira Laura Eva Dechef is working within a large multi-disciplinary team, composed of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and teachers, on a variety of different cases regarding evaluation, creation of treatment plans, carrying out of treatment plans, in addition to treatment plan modification. She is serving as a liaison between various elementary schools, school boards, and parents to ensure students/clients are attending an educational environment best suited to their needs, as well as suggesting/facilitating changes on a case-by-case basis. She is providing individualized instruction for students with diagnosed psychiatric disorders, behaviour disorders, and severe learning disabilities; application of behavioural and cognitive behaviour therapy techniques to modify student behaviours within the classroom setting; teaching and application of social skills, to strengthen student social interactions and; production of progress reports, discharge summaries, and IEPs included in hospital psychiatric chart.

Abstract:

Purpose: The aim of this workshop is to focus on how teachers can peel the educational onion to convey essential tools to students who exhibit complex scholastic experiences. Our educational canvas is painted with student diversity and varied learning styles. In addition, mental health vulnerabilities and their impact on the learning process only add intricacy to the teaching domain. As a special need’s educator working with students presenting enmeshed educational/emotional portraits and have observed general instructive strategies often fall short in “success for all” for student reading proficiency.
Method: The instructional tools utilized within a psychiatric unit’s therapeutic classroom, consists of merging research findings and interventions for students with reading disabilities and psychiatric vulnerabilities. Strategies designed to engage, motivate, and challenge students who demonstrate anxiety, depression, helplessness, or negative behavioral manifestations when faced with the realities of their reading/learning difficulties, will be shared.
Conclusion: Although results consist of observations in the field, they demonstrated that presented interventions are helpful and make a difference in reading proficiency for students with emneshed educational and emotional profiles.