Introduction
On February 1st 2022, Dr. Roz Shafran delivered a 90-minute webinar on the theory and practice of CBT for chronic loneliness. This on-demand webinar is a recording of that presentation.
Workshop Outline
It is now widely accepted that chronic loneliness is a common problem affecting people of all ages. Such loneliness is typically conceptualized as a ‘subjective, unwelcome feeling of lack or loss of companionship. It happens when we have a mismatch between the quantity and quality of social relationships that we have, and those that we want’ (Perlman & Peplau, 1982). The experience of chronic loneliness is influenced by a combination of psychological factors, including mental health problems, and the relationship between chronic loneliness and mental health problems appears bi-directional.
Given the increased social isolation and loneliness at the present time due to COVID-19, it is hoped that attendees will have a better understanding of how chronic loneliness in their clients and CBT techniques could be helpful.
Content
This webinar will:
- Provide an update on the evidence with regard to psychological therapies for chronic loneliness including (but not limited to) cognitive behaviour therapy
- Describe the CBT intervention evaluated in a recent internet based trial of CBT for chronic loneliness and present preliminary data on its efficacy
- Present a new modular CBT approach to addressing chronic loneliness that aims to account for the range of presentations seen across different populations
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
Discriminate between social isolation and chronic loneliness
Understand how frequently loneliness occurs across different ages
Understand the evidence-base in relation to psychological therapies for chronic loneliness
Explicate the relationship between chronic loneliness and mental health disorders
Understand the CBT skills that can be useful in addressing chronic loneliness
About the Presenter
Dr. Roz Shafran is Professor of Translational Psychology at the University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. She has over 200 publications in the field of development and evaluation of cognitive behavioural theory and therapy across the age range both for specific disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder and transdiagnostic problems such as loneliness and perfectionism. She is one of the pioneers of the transdiagnostic approach to eating disorders and, with colleagues in Oxford, she developed the original cognitive behavioural approach to the understanding and treatment of clinical perfectionism. She is the recipient of several awards and recently was the first recipient of the Eric Taylor Award for Translational Research Into Practice Award given by the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. She is the recipient of several research and training grants, including as a co-applicant involved in the UKRI Loneliness and in Mental Health network.
Training Modalities
Video demonstration, didactic content, experiential, and case exemplars.
Who should attend
This webinar is most suitable for clinicians experienced in CBT that would like to know about the application of these techniques for clients with chronic loneliness.
Continuing Education (CE) Credits
Bespoke Mental Health Canada is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Bespoke Mental Health Canada maintains responsibility for the program.
After viewing this workshop, participants have the option to complete an evaluation form and a workshop knowledge quiz in order to be eligible to receive a certificate confirming the number of credits awarded. This certificate will be sent via email.
Participants who completed this workshop are eligible to receive 1.5 CE credits
Fees
Professionals: $60 CAD +tax
Students*: $48 CAD +tax
* Proof of student status may be required in order to qualify for a student rate.
Key References
Käll, A., Shafran, R., Lindegaard, T., Bennett, S., Cooper, Z., Coughtrey, A., & Andersson, G. (2020). A common elements approach to the development of a modular cognitive behavioral theory for chronic loneliness. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 88(3), 269.
https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1413464/FULLTEXT01.pdf
Käll, A., Backlund, U., Shafran, R., & Andersson, G. (2020). Lonesome no more? A two-year follow-up of internet-administered cognitive behavioral therapy for loneliness. Internet Interventions, 19, 100301.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782919301265
Lim, M. H., Rodebaugh, T. L., Zyphur, M. J., & Gleeson, J. F. (2016). Loneliness over time: The crucial role of social anxiety. Journal of abnormal psychology, 125(5), 620.