Introduction to Psychoneuroimmunology: Mind Body Science – October 2024

Live online workshop

Capability: Established

Social workers bring a holistic perspective to their work and appreciate the importance of mind body connections in health and wellbeing.

This workshop explores the world of Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) and ways that PNI is relevant in contemporary social work practice. PNI studies how thoughts, emotions and health are intimately linked. Join Dr Judy Lovas a passionate PNI educator, to understand evidence in mind body interactions and how PNI supports a holistic, scientific clinical approach for chronic conditions.

This action-packed 3 hours introduces PNI, its historical development and current importance. It explores evidence in communications between nervous, endocrine and immune functions and explains mind body interactions at cellular and molecular levels.

Building on this knowledge, Judy reviews leading PNI research in psychological interventions, lifestyle changes and health. Participants will consider clinical practice through a PNI perspective and explore the “how” of applying PNI during the workshop.

Topics

• Introduction, definition and brief history of Psychoneuroimmunology.
• Leading PNI research in chronic conditions.
• Leading PNI research in psychological interventions, lifestyle changes and health.
• Relevance of PNI in history taking, multidisciplinary networks, interventions and teaching clients in clinical practice.

Resources

Participants will complete a short reading as pre-work for the session and receive a list of references and suggested resources after the workshop.

Who should attend?

Social workers and allied health professionals who wish to understand interactions between cognition, emotion and immunity and gain deeper understanding of links between mental health and physical well-being. This workshop is particularly relevant for those wishing to learn more scientific evidence in why thoughts, emotions and health need to be treated together.

This workshop will not be recorded.

Learning Outcomes

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

• Understand the clinical history of PNI and evaluate leading PNI research.
• Identify links between nervous, endocrine and immune systems and their impact on health.
• Evaluate practical benefits of a PNI approach in social work practice for both clients and health professionals.

AASW Credential: Mental Health (FPS); Clinical

Testimonials

This is so well aligned with social work principles and approaches, providing so much evidence base to affirm the holistic practices social workers use. It shows how science supports what we do. PNI is an area all social workers need to understand to best support our clients with achievable steps in their healing journey.

- Cathy

Judy is passionate about PNI and has a wealth of expertise in this area

-Nicole

Well presented, researched and accessible webinar. Judy Lovas is very warm, knowledgeable and practiced. Appealed to my interest in body mind connection.

-Ruth