All times UK times, BST (UTC+1)
10am:
Brain development, attachment theory, infants and prosocial behaviours
During this first session we will discuss brain development and attachment theory, with consideration of both healthy and of disrupted attachments upon the human brain, such as childhood adversity, neglect, and early parental loss. An integrative, neuroscience-based model of attachment-based psychotherapy will be presented. Infants are born with a bias towards pro-social behaviours. There will be discussion of the extremes of social behaviours such as effects of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) both where the infant and/or parent has ASD (“being aspergated”).
11.15am:
Break
11.35am:
Biological models of stress, motivation and personality
A session on biological models of stress and the HPA Axis, with discussion of the impact on neurons and brain structures, as well as its adaptive features upon motivation and how this may be harnessed in personal growth.
1pm:
Lunch break
2pm:
Trauma, PTSD & memory, and grief: theories of causation and maintenance
The third session considers trauma, in particular the effects of PTSD upon memory, and the cycles of grief with ideas for psychological therapies. There will be an emphasis on positive processes such as post-traumatic growth and resilience.
3.15pm:
Break
3.45pm
Managing PTSD, grief, personality disorders and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
The last session of the day will draw together information from the rest of the day for practical ideas about psychological therapies. Treatment for clients with specific problems such as ASD and personality disorders will be considered, with ideas about identifying different patterns of behaviour in therapy sessions. Students will be invited to share examples from professional practice. Results from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness and meditation will be discussed, along with preliminary implications for the clinical practice of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.
5pm:
End of day
