Mindfulness & Emotional Self Care for Social Workers

General Information

Key ideas and practices from a number of different therapeutic modalities will be explored using theoretical presentations, group discussions and experiential exercises.

1. Overview of neuroscience and brain ‘plasticity’. Mindfulness in a secular mental health context; followed by mind/body awareness exercises, including the practice of meditation.

2. Psychoanalysis and the characteristics of unconscious defences; exploration of the ‘externalizing’ process, and the skill of ‘active imagination’.

3. Cognitive behavioural therapy: the nature of ‘cognitive distortions’; exercise investigating ‘automatic thoughts’, and the skill of ‘positive self-talk’. (90 mins)

Meditation, active imagination and positive self-talk are process-orientated skills, and are useful both individually, and in combination. Once mastered they can be accessed as micro-skills and embedded into everyday working life as a prophylactic against stress. They can also add value to the more content-orientated ‘reflective practice’ because of their analytical focus on internal states.

Who should attend?

All levels of social work and professional practice.

Learning Outcomes?

• Understanding the concept of neuroplasticity: with conscious focus and practise it is possible to achieve an inner ‘systems update’ and replace old suboptimal habits with healthier new ones.
• Understanding key Mindfulness concepts: mind/body integration, ‘observing mind’ vs. ‘monkey mind’, and focus on the ‘here & now’.
• Understanding key Cognitive Behavioural Therapy concepts: ‘psychological time’, cognitive distortions and automatic thoughts.
• Understanding key Psychoanalytic concepts: conscious & unconscious processes, the unconscious infantile mind, and the nature of adult defences against emotional pain.
• Understanding the Narrative Therapy concept of ‘externalizing the problem’.

Meet the Presenter

Ruth Crowley Brown BA (Hons), Dip Psychotherapy, CQSW, AMHSW, is a social worker, psychotherapist and writer, with over 25 years’ experience.

Her post-qualification professional trainings include Family Therapy, Group Analysis and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in London; and in Australia include: Cert IV Workplace Training & Assessment and Diploma in Community Services Management (TAFE), Strengths-based Practice (Kyabra) and Parents-Under-Pressure (Griffith Uni).

She has extensive experience of providing case work and counselling services: spending seven years as Senior Social Worker in a North London Child & Family Mental Health Service, including working in the Adolescent Suicide Clinic and with Refugees and Minorities. In Brisbane, her work has included Foster Care (Lifeline Community Care and Key Assets Qld), Employee Assist Counselling (ADFQ), and Referral for Active Intervention (Mission Australia) and Domestic & Family Violence (BDVS) services in Inala working with Indigenous and non-indigenous families. She also has considerable experience of working with children with disabilities and their families.

Ruth is a longtime practitioner of Vipassana meditation.

Venue

C&K (Training Rooms 1 & 2), 257 Gympie Road, Kedron Q 4031
Please note there is no parking onsite, however plenty of street parking in Sadlier & Emerald Streets and Leckie Road.

Tuesday 26 June 2018 - 9.00am - 4.15pm

Registration from 8.45am

Fruit platters for morning and afternoon tea, with a full catered lunch.

CPD: 6 Hours

Members - Please log on to the website prior to registering to take advantage of the member rates.