Conference 2019

AREBT Annual London Conference,
Wednesday, 4th December, 2019

Venue: British Psychological Society, 30 Tabernacle St, London EC2A 4UE

The Rational Emotive Behavioural Theory, Research & Practice Conference

Keynote speaker: Dr Martin James Turner PhD CPsychol
Speakers & workshop facilitators include: Prof Stephen Palmer, Edelweiss Collings, Nick Edgerton, Debbie Hodge
Panel discussants: Chair, Prof Stephen Palmer. Discussants include Denise Christy,  Edelweiss Collings, Nick Edgerton & Dr Martin Turner
Conference chairs: Prof Stephen Palmer FAREBT & Edelweiss Collings MAREBT Accred
Conference Academic Consultant: Dr Siobhain O’Riordan PhD CPsychol MAREBT (Academic)
Registration: 9.30am. Start 10.00am Finish 4.00pm
NB. The AREBT AGM will be held from 4.15pm to 5.00pm
Conference Timetable
Conference Booking
Conference Poster Abstract Form


Keynote:
Irrational Performance Beliefs: the Application of Rational Emotive Behavioural Coaching within Sport, Exercise and Performance Settings

Dr Martin James Turner PhD CPsychol CSci

In recent years, the reported application of REBT within sport, exercise, and performance settings (or REBC) has grown in research and professional practice literature. Broadly, the evidence-base indicates that REBC is received well and is demonstrably effective in sport, exercise, and performance settings. In a recent review by Dr. Turner, the importance of a greater understanding of irrational beliefs and how they relate to the well-being and mental health of athletes was expressed. In addition, Dr. Turner opened up some debate about the extent to which irrational beliefs could hinder performance, and whether irrational beliefs can be accurately aligned with motivational frameworks. This talk explores the recent developments in this applied research area, detailing new studies that examine the relationships between irrational performance beliefs and outcomes such as anxiety, anger, depression, burnout, self-determined motivation, and performance. The presentation also discusses recent applied studies across a range of performance settings. Data is examined and key findings are contextualised within both the REBT and sport and exercise literatures. From the recent research, pertinent theoretical issues will be raised and a critical approach to the research to date will be taken. Applied issues stemming from Dr. Turner’s consultancy experience within performance settings will also be covered, exploring the integration of REBC into high performance environments.

 


Paper: Developing Resilience with adults experiencing long standing difficulties

Edelweiss Collings & Debbie Hodge 

IAPT services are usually contract to deliver treatment to clients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. The treatment care pathway may include a telephone assessment followed by group or online treatment protocols. Should the client not recover with guided self-help, the client is “stepped up” to hi-intensity CBT or counselling. In the majority of cases, the client recovers well and we are proud to report that we regularly reach 50% recovery rate. In other cases, clients with longstanding difficulties do not reach recovery after an episode of NICE recommended treatment protocols. Mind in Bexley supports a person centred and holistic view to mental health and we were strongly motivated to develop a selection of trans-diagnostic treatment groups to support these clients. The resilience group is one such group and is open to clients who have not achieved recovery with the recommended treatment protocols and are having difficulty in ‘bouncing back’ from adverse or negative events. The techniques used are tailored to the individual and are borrowed from CBT, RECBT and counselling modalities.

Suitability criteria: Adults with anxiety and depression that has completed a course of treatment within the service without achieving recovery and are able to tolerate moderate levels of distress.

This paper will provide an overview to running the resilience group. It will include with an experiential exercise to provide insight into a technique used in the resilience group.


Workshop: A Rational Emotive-Cognitive Behavioural Approach to Assertiveness Training

Nick Edgerton

Assertiveness Training originated in the context of Behaviour Therapy. As early as 1949 it appears in Andrew Salter (1949). It is mentioned in Wolpe’s 1958 & 1966 books on BT techniques. It seems to have remained a Behavioural approach ever since despite the development of Cognitive Therapy by and Beck and Ellis and the subsequent developments of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and REBT.

Writers known for their contributions to CBT/REBT have largely left Assertiveness Training as a Behavioural formulation. In this paper I want to consider how AT might be updated if developed into a CBT/ REBT approach. AT was originally offered to individuals who tended to be excessively Passive. Later it was expanded to help people who tended to be excessively Aggressive and later still extended to those who tended to be Passive Aggressive. AT might have faded from view somewhat in recent times yet it remains a useful framework to help people develop better relationship skills.

Current applications include:

Influencing Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Anger Management
Anti-Bullying
Management Skills Training
Couples Counselling

This workshop will explore some of these ideas using the SPACE Model as a conceptual framework.


Workshop: Health coaching and counselling: a positive psychology and rational emotive cognitive behavioural perspective

Dr Siobhain O’Riordan & Prof Stephen Palmer

Positive psychology, health coaching and counselling are becoming more established as areas of research and practice. In this mini-skills workshop, we will highlight how the rational emotive cognitive behavioural approach to health and wellbeing coaching and counselling and can be informed by positive psychology concepts. In skills practice, there will be an opportunity to compare and contrast the standard health enhancing CBT/REBT 5 column thought forms with a positive psychology health flourishing form.


Panel Discussion: Innovations in REBT and CBT: What next?

Chair: Prof Stephen Palmer 

The panel will be invited to discuss current innovations and developments in REBT and CBT and also attempt to predict future applications. Panel discussants include Denise Christy, Edelweiss Collings, Nick Edgerton, Kasia Steyn & Dr Martin Turner

Conference delegates will be invited to join in the conversation.


Conference Speaker & Discussants’ Biographies

Denise Christy MSc MAREBT Accred is the Accreditation Director of the AREBT. She has an MSc in REBT from Goldsmiths, University of London, and a BACP Accredited Diploma in Counselling. She has a special interest in working with postnatal depression and with parents suffering from stress. Before moving into private practice, she worked for over 10 years in the NHS, first a as a counsellor in primary care and later as the Joint Clinical Lead of a South London IAPT service. She has experience of joint working with Children’s Centres to help increase access to cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling for parents of young children.

Edelweiss Collings MSc MAREBT Accred is co-chair of the AREBT and completed her MSc in REBT at Goldsmiths University. Since completing her degree and dual accreditation with the BABCP and AREBT she has worked in IAPT as a CBT therapist, supervisor and Clinical Lead in a London service. She holds particular interest in Stress and Coping in Adulthood and Resilience.

Nick Edgerton MSc CPsychol MAREBT Accred is a Chartered Psychologist and accredited AREBT therapist. Nick developed the cognitive-behavioural SPACE model of therapy and coaching. He has published articles and chapters on the SPACE model. He has also written on stress management and counselling.

Debbie Hodge Dip Couns, Dip TA, Dip Sup Registered MBACP. She studied her diploma at a local college due to having 3 children in primary school so logistics was needed when embarking on my training. She went on to gain a diploma in TA as she had a special interest in this theoretical approach. Within a few years she gained her supervision diploma and has experience working with adults and children within GP surgeries, schools and at a local hospice and has worked for an IAPT service for the last 7 years as the counselling lead. She has a special interest in group counselling and has written and presented in IAPT a communication and relationship group based on Transactional analysis theory and a Person Centred Bereavement group.

Dr Siobhain O’Riordan PhD CPsychol MAREBT (Acad) is a Course Co-Director on the programmes at the Centre for Stress Management. She supervises doctoral students applying the cognitive behavioural approach within their research at City, University of London. She is a Chartered Psychologist, and International Society for Coaching Psychology Accredited Coaching Psychologist and Supervisor. She is Emeritus Editor of the International Journal of Health Promotion & Education and Co-editor of the European Journal of Counselling, Theory, Research and Practice. She is Founder Chair of the International Society for Coaching Psychology.

Prof Stephen Palmer PhD CPsychol CSci FAREBT is Professor of Practice at the Wales Academy for Professional Practice and Applied Research, University of Wales Trinity Saint David. He is the Founder Director of the Centre for Stress Management. He is a Chartered Psychologist, BABCP Accredited CBT, AREBT Accredited Therapist and Supervisor, UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist, and International Society for Coaching Psychology Accredited Coaching Psychologist and Supervisor. He is co-opted Co-Chair and Fellow of AREBT and Founder Co-Chair of the BABCP London Branch. He is an Approved Albert Ellis Institute RE & CBT Supervisor.

Kasia Steyn completed her MSc in REBT at Goldsmiths University. She works in IAPT as a HI CBT Therapist, supervisor, Lead for Trauma and Digital Therapy. Her interest is in transdiagnostic treatment of anxiety and improving access to CBT therapy using new technology.

Dr. Martin Turner is Reader in Psychology and a Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist at Manchester Metropolitan University. He is an internationally recognized scholar whose main expertise is within the scientific understanding of stress and emotion, and the application of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) within achievement settings. Martin has published 50+ peer-reviewed papers, and 3 books. Martin recently won the 2018 Albert Ellis Award for Research. Martin is a Practitioner Psychologist working across a variety of sport and organizational settings.


FAQs

What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?

From Euston, King’s Cross or St. Pancras
Northern Line towards Morden to Old Street (underground), or bus 205 (from Euston & King’s Cross) or 214 (from King’s Cross)

Underground
All stations are less than ten minutes’ walk.
Liverpool Street: Broadgate exit to Eldon Street/South Place, then right into Finsbury Pavement/City Road.
Moorgate: follow the signs for Moorgate/Finsbury Square.
Old Street: exit 4, City Road south (east side) leading to Finsbury Square.

Buses
Numbers 21, 43, 76, 141, 205, 214 and 271 all stop on City Road/Epworth Street.
Numbers 55 and 243 stop on Old Street near Old Street Station

Car parking
Tabernacle Street is a one-way street and should be approached from the Finsbury Square end. NCP car parks are located in Finsbury Square (hourly charge) and Clere Street (half-day or day rate only).

Lunch and refreshments

Light lunch, refreshments, tea, herbal teas, coffee and biscuits provided.

AGM

The AREBT Annual General Meeting will be held after the conference at 4.15pm at the BPS facilities. Visit the AGM webpage for more details