Introduction
On November 18, 2025, Dr. Daniel Freeman delivered a 3-hour workshop on strategies to help clients develop self-confidence.
Workshop Outline
This workshop will introduce how to help patients develop self-confidence. Specifically, how to build up positive self-beliefs in order to counteract negative self-beliefs. The approach draws on positive psychology and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques.
A six-step process to develop and enhance positive self-beliefs will be outlined: 1) Assessing positive self-beliefs and psychological wellbeing; 2) Identifying positive qualities; 3) Making an activities list; 4) Planning activities during the week; 5) Switching attention to the positive; 6) Reviewing progress. The spirit, style, and values of successful therapy will also be described.
Content
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will learn to:
Identify and name with assessments may be helpful in guiding clinical work on developing self-confidence
Understand the need to help patients identify and connect with their positive qualities and strengths
Recognize the importance of using meaningful activities during the week to activate and embed positive self-beliefs
Describe techniques to help people notice and savour positive experiences
About the Presenter
Dr. Daniel Freeman holds the Chair of Psychology at the University of Oxford in the UK, and is a Professorial Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford. Dr. Freeman is also a consultant clinical psychologist in Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Senior Investigator. A Fellow of the British Academy, he presented the BBC Radio 4 series A History of Delusions. His most recent book is Paranoia: A Journey into Extreme Mistrust and Anxiety.
Training Modalities
Training will be delivered using a variety of modalities including didactic content, self-experiential exercises, polls and Q&A
Who should attend
This workshop is suitable for mental health professionals with a working knowledge of the core principles of cognitive behavioural therapy.
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 live, participants have the option to complete an evaluation form in order to be eligible to receive a certificate confirming the number of credits awarded. This certificate will be sent via email.
Participants who view this workshop as a pre-recorded event will need to complete an additional content-related workshop knowledge quiz in order to be eligible to receive CE credits.
Participants who complete this workshop are eligible to receive 2.75 CE credits.
Fees
Professionals: $100 CAD + tax
Students*: $80 CAD + tax
* Proof of student status may be required in order to qualify for a student rate.
Key References
Freeman, D. (2024). Developing psychological treatments for psychosis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 224, 147-149.
Freeman, D., & Freeman, J. (2012). You Can Be Happy: The Scientifically Proven Way to Change How You Feel. Pearson, Harlow.
Freeman, D., Pugh, K., Dunn, G., Evans, N., Sheaves, B., Waite, F., ... & Fowler, D. (2014). An early Phase II randomised controlled trial testing the effect on persecutory delusions of using CBT to reduce negative cognitions about the self: the potential benefits of enhancing self confidence. Schizophrenia Research, 160, 186-192.
Freeman, D., Rosebrock, L., Loe, B. S., Saidel, S., Freeman, J., & Waite, F. (2023). The Oxford Positive Self Scale: psychometric development of an assessment of cognitions associated with psychological well-being. Psychological Medicine, 53, 7161-7169.