New Insights into Mental Health

This conference is being hosted in partnership with

Thinking in Pictures Educational Services (TIPES) and the Military Family Resource Centre of the National Capital Region.

Conference Goals

1. Change the stigma associated with mental health challenges in the general community
2. Give professionals the CBT treatment tools they need to assist patients/clients with mental health challenges and/or ASD
3. Increase the number of frontline staff people who can treat/support individuals with mental health challenges and as a result, decrease the waiting list to access treatment.
4. Give professionals tools for providing treatment for individuals with autism who are also suffering from mental health challenges as a dual diagnosis.
5. Give families and caregivers concrete tools for supporting their loved ones with mental health challenges and/or ASD.

This is a multi-day Mental Health Conference featuring Dr. Douglas Turkington. He will be supported by Helen Spencer.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based form of therapy that helps individuals become more conscious of their beliefs and aims to change their patterns of thinking leading to emotional and behavioural recovery.

Click here for Guest Speaker Bios.

Professor Douglas Turkington MD, FRC Psych, Mb ChB 

Douglas Turkington is a world-renowned Psychiatrist and Professor of Psychosocial Psychiatry at Newcastle University, UK. Originally from Glasgow he now lives and works in Newcastle, UK. He is a Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy in Philadelphia and a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. He is a pioneer of the use of CBT in severe mental disorders and has trained internationally for over 20 years including workshops for professionals, expert therapists and also family members. He has published 12 books and 140 research articles.

Helen Mary Spencer BA (Hons) Psychology

Helen Spencer currently works as a Clinical Studies Officer for the Clinical Research Network at Northumberland Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust in the UK. In this role she is involved in the set-up and delivery of numerous treatment trials for a wide range of mental health conditions and neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder, anorexia, psychosis and learning disabilities. Helen has worked alongside Prof. Douglas Turkington for over 10 years and together they have published over 20 papers on the subject of CBT for psychosis, including a book for service users and carers which was published earlier this year by Cambridge University Press. Helen is in the final year of her PhD at Newcastle University, UK. 

Professionals and FrontLine Workers

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-PTSD and Anxiety Disorders

*Registration is at 8:00 AM

Monday, October 7th, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM -Agenda

Tuesday, October 8th, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM -Agenda

• This 2-day workshop has been designed for all Mental Health Professionals and Frontline Workers who might benefit from the use of basic CBT techniques in their day to day work with clients with PTSD and other Anxiety disorders.
• The use of CBT techniques tends to help defuse crises, facilitate recovery, improve collaboration with service users and reduce the risk of burnout in frontline staff.
• The techniques will be demonstrated using role plays and DVD clips.

Caregivers and Parents (with ASD Focus)

CBT informed caring for family members and friends with loved ones with PTSD and Anxiety Disorders

*Registration is at 8:00 AM 

Wednesday, October 9th, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Agenda

Thursday, October 10th, 8:30 AM-4:30 Agenda

• Through role playing demonstrations and interactive learning, this two-day CBT informed caring workshop for family and friends will cover effective ways to use CBT techniques to support loved ones living with PTSD and Anxiety Disorders. 
• The 2-day workshop will offer practical tools and strategies to help cope with flashbacks and nightmares, improve sleep, reduce irritability, reduce anxiety and help with depression and substance misuse. The approach will be expected to build greater resiliency for the whole family.  You will learn about key caring principles, how to normalize your loved one’s symptoms, different styles of coping and how to help your loved one accept professional help.

Professionals and Frontline Workers

CBT techniques for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

*Registration is at 8:00 AM 

Friday, October 11th, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM -Agenda

• In this 1-Day day workshop, there will be clear descriptions of all the common mental health disorders and emotional difficulties experienced by children and adolescents entering mainstream education with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
• Using illustrative role plays and case examples the appropriate use of CBT techniques will be demonstrated.
• The workshop will cover CBT for phobias, anxiety, rituals, stigma, shame, self-harm, depression, insomnia, eating disorders, anger and aggression.
• There will be time for questions and discussions. This workshop will be informative, educational and engaging.

 The Conference will be presented in English. Lunches are included. 

Conference contacts are:

Marnie at [email protected] or 613-224-0729 x 228

Layal at [email protected] or 613-991-4024

*If you are a caregiver/parent of a child/youth with Autism living in Ottawa, and need a subsidy, please contact [email protected]