Introduction to Psychoneuroimmunology: Mind Body Science

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

This webinar opens up the world of Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) and its relevance to contemporary social work practice. PNI studies how thoughts, emotions and health are intimately linked. Join Dr Judy Lovas a passionate PNI educator, to explore evidence of mind body interactions and how PNI supports a holistic, scientific clinical approach for clients who have chronic conditions.

This action-packed 2 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. This webinar includes the latest understanding of links between distress and disease.

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 webinar.

Topics

• Introduction, definition and brief history of Psychoneuroimmunology
• Leading PNI research in disease
• Leading PNI research in psychological interventions, lifestyle changes and health
• Relevance of PNI in social work

Resources

All registrants will receive 2 weeks’ free access to the webinar recording and a copy of the presentation slides.

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

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 webinar is particularly relevant for those wishing to learn more scientific evidence in why thoughts, emotions and health need to be treated together.

2 hours of CPD activity: Category 2, skills and knowledge
AASW Credential: Mental Health (FPS), Clinical

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 health
• Evaluate benefits of a PNI approach in social work practice

Presenters

Dr Judy Lovas Dr Judy Lovas is dedicated to teaching psychoneuroimmunology-based interventions for chronic conditions. She has a PhD from Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney. Judy presents to health and medical professionals, at universities and in seminars, conducts relaxation classes in aged care and neurological rehabilitation, is an international speaker and will speak about links between cognition, emotion, health, stress, disease, relaxation and health to anyone interested! The AASW is pleased to welcome Judy back to our program due to popular member demand.

Location and date

Live online: a Zoom link will be emailed to you prior to the webinar
31 March 2023
10.00am–12.00pm AEDT

A recording of the webinar will be sent to registrants via email after the event and available to watch for 2 weeks.

Cost

Members: $120.00 (including GST)
New graduates, retired and student members: $60.00 (including GST)
Non-members: $160.00 (including GST)
Student non-members: $120.00 (including GST)

Register

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Click submit on the right-hand side of this page to register.

Registrations close 31 March 2023 at 9.00am AEDT.