Advanced Applications in Cognitive Therapy:
 A Four-Day Intensive Training

David Burns, MD

This is the workshop you`ve always wanted to attend!
Coming Summer 2012 -- Minneapolis, San Diego, S. San Francisco

Download 2010 Brochure PDF (Chicago)     (San Francisco)

IAHB has been helping David Burns present workshops throughout the United States for over 15 years. During that time, we`ve been inundated with requests that he provide a more in-depth training opportunity -- one that would allow time for practice, individual attention, and exploring issues of particular interest to participants. This summer, David will be presenting just such a workshop. But he can describe it better than we can -- here is a personal letter of invitation from David

Dear Prospective Participant,

I have absolutely loved doing workshops throughout the United States and Canada over the past 15 years, and I am grateful to the many thousands of mental health professionals who have attended and participated. However, I have been concerned that although a two-day program may inspire the participants, it might not provide the hands-on training, supervision, and practice that are necessary to use these techniques effectively in real-world settings. That`s why I was thrilled when Gerry Piaget offered me the opportunity to do two four-day intensives in the Summer of 2011.

The intensives will differ from my two-day workshops in several ways. First, the number of participants will be strictly limited, leading to a more intimate learning environment. You will get the chance to interact with me in a friendly and stimulating learning atmosphere.

Second, after I describe and illustrate a technique, such as the Interpersonal Downward Arrow, the Five Secrets of Effective Communication, Paradoxical Agenda Setting, the Relationship Journal, or the Externalization of Voices and Acceptance Paradox, you will have the opportunity to break of into dyads and triads to practice and master each technique.

Third, you will have the chance to work on some of your own issues as part of the learning process if you choose to do so. We`re all human, and we all have the tendency to feel anxious, frustrated, inadequate, or demoralized in the course of our work, which is inherently stressful and challenging. Although this will not be a therapy group, but a training workshop, the personal `patient` experience can make these techniques more meaningful, and will make you a far more sensitive and effective clinician.

Working on so-called `counter-transference` feelings has always been an important part of the psychotherapeutic tradition. It also has a spiritual basis: `Physician, heal thyself.` I will not be looking for deep, personal issues you might be reluctant to share in a public setting, but rather the kinds of problems we all encounter on a daily basis in our clinical work with clients who are angry, mistrustful, or profoundly depressed.

Fourth, we will cover a broad range of topics, including how to deal with:
   Depression and low self-esteem
   Anxiety Disorders
   Relationship Problems
   Addictions

This is important because patients rarely come to us with one specific problem, like `Panic Disorder.` They nearly always suffer in many different ways, so we need a broad range of tools to be effective if we are to treat the whole person, and not just an isolated symptom.

Finally, we will work much harder, including one or two evening sessions in addition to the four day-long sessions, and we will also eat some of our meals together each day, allowing for informal dialogue and networking.

The Intensives I`ve done in the past few years have consistently been the most vibrant and inspirational teaching experiences I have ever had. There is no comparison, really, with one of my large, two-day workshops, although they can be very rewarding, too. I warmly invite you to attend one of the upcoming Intensives if you possibly can. I will do everything I can to make it one of the best learning opportunities of your career.

One final tip. I have done several Intensives during the past few years. Most of them were sold out well in advance. Apparently, this teaching format is something people are looking for. So if you are interested, I would suggest early registration to avoid disappointment.

Thanks for your interest. I hope to see you and get to know you at the Intensive!

David

David D. Burns, MD
Adjunct Clinical Professor
Stanford University Medical School

 Training Goal                                                                       _______                                                     

This training will give participants an in-depth exposure to and hands-on practice with a an evidence based model that supports a wide variety of clinical interventions.

 Learning Objectives                                                                                                                              

By attending this intensive training, participants will enhance their ability to:

• Implement a wide variety of specific and highly effective clinical interventions
• Pinpoint and modify deeply held beliefs and schemas
• Describe the importance of a transdiagnostic patient-centered approach to cognitive therapy
• Diagnose and reverse the most common types of therapeutic resistance
• Use your own vulnerabilities and shortcomings to increase your therapeutic effectiveness
• Demonstrate how “radical acceptance” can trigger profound change
• Utilize future relapses as opportunities to maximize clinical gains

Who Should Attend                                                                                                      

All mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, family physicians, social workers, psychiatric nurses, therapists, alcohol & drug counselors, employee assistance counselors, school counselors, youth workers, sexual abuse counselors, vocational rehabilitation consultants, social service co-ordinators, street workers, and crisis counselors who work directly with clients and are seeking practical, proven methods to enhance their therapeutic skills.

Please Note: Attendance will be strictly limited to 125 participants plus aides/assistant instructors to maximize individual attention and training time for all participants.

Schedule and Agenda                                                                                                                            

Schedule: The Intensive will consist of at least 32 hours training time. It will run from Tuesday through Friday. There will be a working luncheon each day, along with two-hour evening sessions on Tuesday and Thursday. Please see the workshop brochure for your location (St. Charles or S. San Francisco) for the specific workshop schedule.

Agenda: The agenda for the intensive will vary, depending on interests of the participants. The training focus is best described by David in his invitation letter (above). However, we understand that attending this workshop constitutes a major investment in time and money.  If you would like more details about workshop content, or would like to know whether a specific topic will be covered -- or if you would like to request a specific topic or topics, please email staff@iahb.org. One of our staff or David himself will return your email within a few days.

Dates and Locations                                                                                                                              

Minneapolis, MN
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA

Other information coming soon!

Registration Information                                                                                                                          

$750 Early registration (sent 14 days prior to workshop)
$850 Regular registration 
$950 Onsite registration (space available)

Register by phone at 800-258-8411, or register online on the Workshop Page

 Workshop Aides                                                                                                                                  

Workshop aides are expected to arrive early, and help out during the workshop with registration, logistics, book sales, similar tasks. In return they receive a substantial workshop discount.  Generally, 4-5 aides are required for intensive workshops.

If you would like to be considered for one of the workshop aide positions and receive a tuition discount, please email staff@iahb.org. Let us know why you`d like to be an aide, and whether you`ve had any experience running or assisting with training events, or with on-site sales at such events.. We`ll request additional information when we contact you.

 Accommodations                                                                                                                                

If you’re attending the St. Charles intensive and are seeking lodging, we strongly recommend you stay at the Pheasant Hill Resort.  It is a beautiful, very comfortable location, and we have arranged a special rate for attendees of this program.

Additional information on places to stay in or near St. Charles, and on accommodations near the SSF Conference center will be posted soon.  In the meantime, if you have any questions, please call or email staff@iahb.org.

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