Mental Health is Everyone’s Business
by Alexandra O’Brien
The next gathering of The CBT’ers Club has yet to be confirmed. However, this is likely to be early autumn 2016. I have not decided on a theme/topic yet, so if you have any suggestions of a topic(s) or theme(s) you would like to focus on at the next gathering, or at a future gathering, feel free to get in touch: cbtersclub@glasgow-eating-disorders.co.uk Some of the topics and themes we have covered over the past 2 years include: Working with Clients with Anxiety; CBT and Self-Harm; The Accreditation Process; Challenges and Dilemmas in CBT Practice; Working with Depression in CBT; Using Psychological Assessment Scales in CBT; Challenges and Support: Working as an Independent Practitioner; and General Discussions. Of course, gatherings also include an hour or so of peer group supervision, suggestions and news and updates. If there are any updates, news, suggestions etc. you would like to bring to a gathering, please let us know or alert other Members at the gathering. Hope you can make the next gathering of The CBT’ers Club. New Members welcome too (subject to completed application form and membership approval). More information about The CBT’ers Club on the The CBT’ers Club section of our parent website: www.glasgow-eating-disorders.co.uk
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When: Saturday, 24th September, 2016, 10am-4.30pm Where: Wallace House, 2 Boswell Road, Edinburgh, EH5 3RJ Cost and Booking: early bird ÂŁ65 (by 27th August), thereafter ÂŁ75. Organised by www.person-person.co.uk and delivered by Sally Despenser Telephone 0131 668 2916 or see the website above to book. Booking limited to 18 delegates. What: The first time a client showed me a photograph (a long time ago), I realised that I had no idea how to use the material therapeutically. Over the years, I have developed some useful ways of exploring what can be seen in a photo, and what it might mean to the client. New technology (digital imaging, camera phones and video cameras) means that more and more clients are bringing images into the counselling space, as well as generating masses of images and posting them online. The course will explore ways of working with both prints and digital images. (Note that this course is not about photography-creating new photos with clients) Course Methods: Experiential and interactive. PowerPoint is not used. Participants will be invited to bring a few photos of their own for exploration in small groups. An email to applicants will be sent with further details.
The Compassionate Mind Foundation will shortly be introducing their membership scheme where you can become a member of the Compassionate Mind Foundation to access exclusive resources. This will include video and audio files, training materials and handouts, as well as access to our disorder specific special interest groups, research information and much more. More details will be announced in the coming weeks. 2
When: Thursday 7th July 2016, 6-9pm Where: Edinburgh Gestalt Institute, 51 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2DJ Cost: free Booking: To book a place on this event, please fill in the booking form at the following link: http://egi.uk.com/events/free-taster-evening-15/ or telephone 0131 228 3841 or email info@egi.uk.com What: If you are not familiar with Gestalt as currently practised or are new to EGI, our taster evenings provide an opportunity to meet some of the EGI staff, find out about our programme and experience the Gestalt approach to counselling and psychotherapy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When: Friday September 9, 2016 from 9:15 AM to 4:00 PM BST Where Where: The Pond Hotel, 1055 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 OXP Booking: contact Karen Bryan at Five Areas Limited on 10360 661078 or email events@fiveareas.com or see the following link: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ecc e9kkqf4a9f5cc&oseq=&c=&ch= What: join us for a WOW walk plus more great life skills experiences like this, at our CBT based LLTTF workshop. This is suitable for anyone wanting to teach key tools and techniques in a small group setting and one to one with young people and adults.
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When: Wednesday 19th October, 8am until Friday 21st October 2016, 4pm. Where: Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Manchester. Booking: please see the link for booking and further details: https://compassionatemind.co.uk/conferences/the-compassionate-mindfoundations-5th-international-conference What: includes various speakers. Join us for a range of workshops, symposia, keynotes and poster presentations. Come and celebrate our 10th anniversary at our conference dinner and meet other delegates, share ideas and develop networks. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When: Saturday 3rd September 2016, 10am-4pm Where: Dunblane Cathedral Halls, The Cross, Dunblane, FK15 0AL Booking: £60 in advance or £65 on the day. Refreshments, snacks, handouts and CPD certificate are included in the price. Note – lunch is not included. To book, contact Audrey at audrey@greenwoodevents.co.uk or book via this link: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mindfulness-andcreativity-registration-21430761986?aff=ebrowse What: designed to increase wellbeing through mindfulness and expressive arts practice. Creative mindfulness exercises for you and your clients. Includes: history of mindfulness; sound sensations in mindfulness; mindfulness game; breathe words; mindful photography; rituals; toolbox for the future. Facilitator: Trish Miller is an arts facilitator with 30 years experience working in the community, schools and therapy based settings.
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When: Saturday 15th October 2016, 10am-4pm Where: Stirling Baptists Church Family Life Centre, 2nd Floor, 61-63 Murray Place, Stirling, FK8 1AP Booking: £60 if paid in advance or £65 on the day. Refreshments, snacks, handouts and CPD certificate are included in the price. For more information or to book, contact Audrey: audrey@greenwoodevents.co.uk or see the following link: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/borderlinepersonality-disorder-neuroscience-and-psychotherapy-registration19529011800?aff=ebrowse What: aims of the event include: a) discuss research related to the development of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) from a neurobiological perspective; b) explore BPD from the perspective of Neuroscience and brain imaging; c) discuss research related to the development of BPD from a psychosocial perspective; d) explore in detail the role and value of ‘Skills Training’ in the treatment of BPD, i.e. mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation etc; e) recap on ‘Behavioural Targets’; f) identify how treatment is structured in relation to ‘Behavioural Targets’; g) participate in small group discussion/exercises and share information and experiences. The event will be delivered by Andy Gray, who is a BABCP Accredited CB Psychotherapist, Academic Director and Clinical Supervisor. Andy specialises in the treatment of personality disorder and has worked with BPD in both private practice and in a clinical setting. Andy is keen to impart information and share knowledge to encourage fellow practitioners to work with more complex cases. Lucy Petro is a postdoctoral research associate at the Institute of Neuroscience & Psychology and Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging at the University of Glasgow, and a qualified CB therapist. Lucy specialises in functional brain imaging to understand cortical prediction in health and disorder.
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When: Saturday 2nd July 2016, 9:30am-5pm Where: Physis Training Limited, 18 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EP Booking: various prices from ÂŁ85.00-ÂŁ95.00. For more information and booking, please see the Eventbrite link: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-silent-scream-working-with-clientswho-self-harm-tickets-19494016127?aff=ebrowse What: this is going to be an exciting, interactive day, where we will explore the issues involved in working with clients who self-harm. Many therapists can find it very challenging to work with this client group in safe and yet potent ways that facilitate change. We will explore several pieces of theory from TA and other modalities to support how you think about and work with clients who self-harm. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the specialist clinical issue of self-harm, and learn tools for working with clients who use self-harm as a coping mechanism. This workshop will provide you with: a) an understanding as to why some clients self-harm; b) an understanding of how to work safely and potently with this issue in the therapy room; c) an understanding of the links between self-harm and suicide; d) tools and skills to help clients develop alternatives to self-harm. This workshop will involve didactic teaching, discussion, small group work and experiential exercises.
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by Alexandra O’Brien
We hope to have a social gathering over the summer holiday period probably the end of July/start of August. I think a lunch or afternoon tea would be a nice idea. This would require booking and a small deposit (that will go towards the tea/lunch, but required to book a table). This would allow some of us to meet up socially, in a relaxed setting. It will probably take place around lunch-time on a Saturday, if that is what you prefer. It would be really useful if you could get in touch if you are interested in some of us meeting up, informally, for lunch or afternoon tea (or something similar) on a Saturday around the end of July/start of August. What do you think? If anyone has any suggestions or would like to assist with planning this, please feel free to get in touch directly via email: cbtersclub@glasgow-eating-disorders.co.uk Hope to hear from you!
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by Alexandra O’Brien
I attended the recent BABCP Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) workshop in Glasgow. I know a few of you attended too and it was great to catch up with some of you. It was an interesting workshop in some ways. However, unfortunately, I didn’t find that it added much to the knowledge and understanding I have of BDD already. Nevertheless, it has renewed some of my interest in the topic and I was reminded of a book I read a few years ago by psychoanalyst, Susie Orbach. Her book, ‘Bodies’ is an interesting and worthwhile read if the topic of body image and BDD is something that you would like to explore further. My review is below. I picked up 'Bodies' not really knowing what to expect. I have read some other books of a similar nature and found them to be too feminist in their viewpoint, too patronising or found that the issues raised throughout did not apply to me. However, I found this an enjoyable book. It provided me with many interesting insights and promoted some stimulating thought regarding our relationship with our bodies. The renowed psychotherapist, Orbach, examined the current ‘beauty terror’ and how this manifests itself in various forms of eating disorder, body dysmorphia, body image distress and most disturbingly, the body shame that many of us experience. I admit that some of the issues and arguments raised were not for me: the topic of the mother-child relationship is not something I am sure I agree with. However, it was interesting to read about some very extreme examples of body shame and the actions people take in order to try to 're-connect' or come to terms with their body. Orbach tells us tales of people who are uncomfortable in their skin uncomfortable in the sense that they look into a mirror and say "that's me?’’ with some astonishment, anxiety, shame, hatred and disgust. The seamstress who feels so unreal she scratches her breasts with a needle to remember her physicality. The person who can't have sex unless packed 8
into a car or in a public restroom. The body builder who spend hours in the gym to prove he is alive. The man who feels so alien from his legs that he fights for years to have them amputated, desperate to achieve some sort of 'connection' with his body. It is a powerful insight into the world of body shame: not just feeling a bit unhappy about how you look, but feeling and knowing that something is 'not right' with how you see, feel and experience your body and occupy it. A disconnection; a dissociation; a feeling that your body in not yours. The experience of occupying something so alien to you that you either wish you did not 'exist'. A body that demands a strong desire and wish to change it in every way possible. The book offers some insight into how such body shame and hatred has become an experience and reality that torments and debilitates the lives of so many people - people who look seemingly 'normal' and able from the outside, but who are, on the inside, desperately struggling with the shame of their body and physicality. ‘Bodies’ is a universal look at body anxiety, body shame and the body distress that, undoubtedly, influences not only our view of our physical body, but our view of our 'self' as a whole. It is a compelling and interesting examination of the various experiences that arise from such shame and anxiety over one's physical self. Through her case studies, Orbach shows how subtle influences in childhood and in later life can shape the mind's conception of the body to the point that it turns against itself. It is fascinating to read just how destructive such body shame and anxiety can be. Reading about such torment makes me unhappy: it is sad to know that there are people out there who feel such a need to selfdestruct in often extreme ways because they cannot connect with their body; cannot accept it. They feel such self-hatred towards themselves because of their body. This book is definitely worth a read and actually made me think about my own past and present issues differently. While there are some things I don't agree with, I think that it is a valuable book to read if one has a client who may be struggling with body shame and anxiety or have issues regarding body image or body dysmorphia. While some of the focus is on women's bodies, I think that it is also valuable to men experiencing similar issues. Susie Orbach, has also written 'Fat is a Feminist Issue' and 'On Eating’. 'Bodies' (2009) is published by Picador and available to purchase on Amazon and other good book stores. My review above was initially published in ‘The Voice’ in 2011.
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A SNAPSHOT...... of inspiration
A tree as big around you starts with a small seed; a thousand-mile journey starts with one small step. You are where your thoughts and actions during the last few years have brought you. Whatever you will be experiencing in your next ten or twenty years will be influenced by what you do today. Your friends, your family, your job, your bank balance, where you will be living, all these things are being shaped by what you choose to do. Life is a building process. What you do today affects what you will have tomorrow. Life doesn’t happen on twenty-four hour water-tight compartments. Today’s effort creates tomorrow’s results. Whether you eliminate a nasty habit, whether you spend an hour with your family, whether you set some goals, whether you save or spend, whether you exercise your body, whether you stretch your mind – your decision makes the difference. The ignorant never see it. Astute people know it. What we do today IS important. You can get away with being casual and careless for a while but, sooner or later, things will catch up with you. Leave your bills unpaid, your work undone and your problems to everyone else and you manage for a while. Then one day the walls fall in and you wonder why there is no fun in your work, no money in the bank and nobody is very friendly anymore. It is life reminding you that one day plus another has an accumulative effect. Wherever you are, it is the place to start. The effort you expend today does make a difference.
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by Alexandra O’Brien
People in recovery from eating disorders, disordered eating and/or difficult relationships with food and eating often like to count the number of days since, for instance, their last binge. This is not recommended. Counting days since your last binge, for example, can turn recovery, change and progress into a waiting game. If a binge (or other behaviour) does happen, it can feel like all your efforts have been a waste of time and you’re back to square one. A ‘relapse’ (a word I don’t personally like to use due to its negative connotations) does not mean you have actually failed. The number of days since your last binge is not an accurate reflection of your progress in recovery/change/progress. In fact, it’s only a small piece of the puzzle. If you must count the number of days since you ‘relapsed’, please remember that it is not a true indication of recovery or progress. There are more accurate signs of improvement, change and progress that you can use to track your progress. After 1-3 months into recovery/change, keep an eye out for some of these signs of progress (even if you are still bingeing):
Less frequent binges Shorter binges Binges on smaller amounts of food The ability to stop/lose interest in the middle of a binge Forgiving yourself more quickly after a binge ends Bouncing back more quickly when a binge happens Stopping a binge from happening even when the urge is present Binge eating, but not purging (if applicable) Feeling more awake and energised each morning Noticing decreased stress levels around food An increased stability around your moods An increased sense of well-being The ability to successfully cope with trigger environments Spending less time obsessing or thinking about food 11
Keep an eye out for these signs of progress as they will help you to keep motivated and encouraged. Keep in mind that recovery, change and progress are not linear. Some weeks will be better than others. Don’t get upset if you are successful one day, but the next day is more difficult. Try not to measure progress on a day-to-day basis as it’s not very accurate. Try to look at things over the longer-term and look at how things were, for instance, a year ago, compared with how they are now. You may be surprised and even quite satisfied with how much change you really have made! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by Alexandra O’Brien
There is still not a great deal written about male eating disorders specifically, but here are a few books that have been recommended for males experiencing eating and food difficulties. There has been a lot in the media and in the news recently regarding male eating disorders, so I hope that some of you find the book list useful! BECOMING JOHN: ANOREXIA’S NOT JUST FOR GIRLS John Evans (2011). Xlibris Publishing. BOYS GET ANOREXIA TOO: COPING WITH MALE EATING DISORDERS IN THE FAMILY Jenny Langley (2005). Lucky Duck Publishing COUNSELLING FOR EATING DISORDERS IN MEN: PERSONCENTRED DIALOGUES Richard Bryant-Jeffries (2005). Radcliffe Publishing. FIT TO DIE: MEN AND EATING DISORDERS Anna Patterson (2004). Lucky Duck Publishing. MAKING WEIGHT: MEN’S CONFLICTS WITH FOOD, WEIGHT, SHAPE AND APPEARANCE Arnold Andersen, Leigh Cohn and Thomas Holbrook (2000). Gurze Books 12
THE HGV MAN Dr Ian Banks (2005). Haynes Publishers. THE INVISIBLE MAN: A SELF HELP GUIDE FOR MEN WITH EATING DISORDERS, COMPULSIVE EXERCISE AND BIGOREXIA John F. Morgan (2008). Routledge Publishing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
! Glasgow Centre for Eating Disorders are looking for someone with experience of clinical supervision (either as a trainee or qualified supervisor) to provide approximately 4 sessions of clinical supervision per year to our Assistant and Lead Support Group Facilitators who are involved with our Eating Disorder Support Group. This would equate to you offering approximately 4 hours of clinical supervision per year to this particular group of volunteers (which comprises of 6-8 individuals). You don’t specifically need to be a trainee or qualified clinical supervisor in cognitive behavioural psychotherapy – we welcome clinical supervisors practicing in other approaches. This is a voluntary position and unpaid (we are all unpaid volunteers here at the moment). However, we are happy to offer references, certificates and other benefits as applicable. We will also pay room hire for the clinical supervision sessions, although unable to reimburse any travelling expenses at this time. We ask anyone applying for this role can volunteer with is for at least 1 year. For more information, a role description and application form, please get in touch directly via email for more information and an application form: info@glasgow-eating-disorders.co.uk We look forward to hearing from you! Thanks! Glasgow Centre for Eating Disorders are also welcoming new members along to their established eating disorder support groups. Please pass on the information in the poster below to anyone who you think might be interested in attending support groups or require help and support for an eating disorder/disordered eating. Thanks! 13
Therapy, Support, Training and Education for Eating Disorders in Scotland your voice counts : recovery exists
The Glasgow Centre for Eating Disorders (which started in May 2010) has provided help & support to men & women, over 16, from all over Scotland. Our established Eating Disorder Support Groups have helped 100s of people with various forms of eating disorder & disordered eating.
We welcome anyone who finds that they have a difficulty or distressful relationship with food & eating. Fortnightly, 6.15pm-7.45pm, Glasgow city centre & attended by people from many areas (not just Glasgow). You don’t need to have been diagnosed with an eating disorder, be underweight, or have been experiencing this for a long time. If food & eating is a problem, including over-eating, under-eating, bulimia, emotional eating, eating only certain foods etc. – then you are welcome to come along. A safe, welcoming, friendly, encouraging & confidential group. We abide by various ‘safe-rules’, boundaries & guidelines & the group is run by both those who have recovered from eating disorders and by qualified specialist psychotherapists. No pressure to talk. A safe space to express your thoughts, feelings & experiences if you do wish to talk.
Want more information? Email info@glasgow-eating-disorders.co.uk or visit our website: www.glasgow-eating-disorders.co.uk
www.glasgow-eating-disorders.co.uk
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I've created an online Facebook group for Registered Members CBT'ers Club who wish to connect up online too via this private Please note: this online group is ONLY for Registered Members CBT'ers Club (i.e. those who have had membership approved registered as a Member).
of The group. of The & and
Please note that not all current Registered Members of The CBT'ers Club will be in this online group as I know some Members don't have Facebook - so there will be less people in this online group than actual Registered Members (we have around 42 Registered Members at the moment (as of 12.06.16). We hope this online group will help us to have discussions, post interesting bits and pieces, organise other events, ask each other questions, get support, organise socials, etc outside and in-between our actual face-to-face meetings and gatherings. Please do use this online group as you think will be helpful to you outside our actual face-to-face meetings. We hope this offers an 'extra' with regards membership. The link for this Facebook group for Members of The CBT’ers Club is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheCBTersClub/ Please feel free to join it and participate in discussions, post news, read articles etc. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or need any more information. Thanks and best wishes, Alexandra O’Brien By John F Morgan 2008)
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Does anyone know of any training in group therapy in west central Scotland? This information is for someone else and I have said I would post this enquiry here in the event anyone knows. He is already a qualified therapist. COSCA have not been very helpful with his enquiry, so any information I can pass on with regards training in group therapy or what group-work counts towards accreditation with COSCA would be really useful and I will pass it on. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you would like to write something for the next newsletter, have something you wish to include, want to contribute to it in some way or perhaps can offer some discounted training/workshops to fellow Members of The CBT’ers Club that you would like us to advertise, please do feel free to get in touch. Our next Newsletter will be distributed in autumn 2016, so please email any suggestions, pieces, ideas, etc by 1st September 2016.
Thank you for reading this edition of The CBT’ers quarterly Newsletter – I hope you found it useful! If there is anything you would like to see included in the future, please just let me know! Best wishes, Alexandra
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