Diaphragmatic Breathing for Chronic Conditions November 2024

Live Online Workshop

Capability Level: Evolving and Established

Day 1: 04 November 2024 | 2.00pm–5.00pm AEDT

Day 2: 11 November 2024 | 2.00pm–4.00pm AEDT

Diaphragmatic Breathing (DB) is evidence-based, non-pharmacological, non-invasive, cost-effective and simple. Social workers are ideally placed to integrate DB for chronic conditions such as anxiety, depression, pain, sleep disorders and trauma.

Diaphragmatic breathing can help clients to:

• Lower harmful effects of stress hormones (Healthline, 2022)
• Lower heart rate, blood pressure and respiration rate
• Cope better with stress, distress and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms
• Decrease chronic conditions

This two-part interactive workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to experience, and learn and develop proficiency in slow, diaphragmatic breathing as a simple skill for mental health practice.

Facilitated by Dr Judy Lovas, the workshops will:

• Translate and explain current research that supports clinical use of DB
• Outline biological pathways involved in stress and relaxation
• Consider the why, how and when to apply DB clinically

Participants will:

• Gain benefits from the personal practice of DB
• Develop skills to guide clients through a brief DB session
• Learn to teach clients to practice DB in their daily life

Format:

• facilitator-led workshops: 5 hours
• self-directed learning and practice: 1 hour

Additional resources:

• Pre-reading
• Supplementary handouts (self-directed practice and reflective activities)

Who should attend? Social workers who wish to understand and develop proficiency in DB as an effective evidence-based therapeutic tool.

This Workshop is not recorded, however, you will have access to materials and resources on AASW Online Learning for 4 weeks after the completion of the workshop.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Define stress, relaxation and relaxation therapy
• Evaluate leading research in DB as a therapeutic intervention for chronic conditions
• Identify biological mechanisms that link DB with positive outcomes for chronic conditions
• Experience and practice DB on a personal level
• Apply DB to clients in a clinical setting

AASW Credentials: Mental Health (Focused Psychological Strategies); Clinical.