• Introduction
• Program Contents
• The Materials
• The Training Workshop
• Who Should Attend?
• If You Plan to Attend...
• How to Register

Introduction

Major Depression. It's one of the most difficult challenges a person can confront. And in the face of the apathy and lack of energy that it brings, therapists often feel inadequate and powerless to help.

Yet there ARE remarkably effective treatments for depression. The challenge for the clinician is not to invent a whole new therapy, but to take the lines of evidence-based treatment and create an integrated program tailored to the needs of the individual client.

Where should you start, and which components are important? Behavioural activation? Lifestyle modification? Dietary management? Social life enhancement? Situational problem-solving? Cognitive restructuring? Emotional strength-building? Exploring the role of meaning?

This two-day workshop provides a rationale and strategy for integrating all of these approaches into a sequence tailored to the individual client. We travel step-by-step through the process, all the way from intake assessment to relapse prevention.

Along the way, participants are introduced to over 70 print resources designed to enhance therapy and support change. All of them are provided in Adobe Acrobat pdf format on CD-ROM, ready to be printed and supplied to clients to augment therapy.

Program Contents

• Three principles in therapy for depression
• Two models of depression
• The causes of depression
• A brief discussion of the biology of depression
• Assessment strategies
• Use of the Depression Map Questionnaire (DMQ)
• Engaging the client in therapy
• Goal setting and behavioural activation
• Lifestyle/behavioural strategies
• Cognitive strategies
• Emotion-based strategies
• Situation-based strategies
• Socially-based strategies
• Meaning-based strategies
• Relapse prevention

Along the way we consider:

• Why treating the symptoms (as well as the causes) of depression is essential.
• How to turn negative emotions into allies.
• Why hope is not the goal of treatment.
• How to uncover destructive core beliefs.
• Why feelings of being overwhelmed are tremendously valuable.
• How to open up to emotion without getting swept away by it.

The Materials

Workshop participants receive:

• A CD-ROM with documents for reproduction and distribution to clients (see box at right).
• A manual to assist in guiding the use of these materials.
• Notes pages of the presentation audiovisuals.

The Training Workshop

The Depression Map is a two day workshop. The workshop content is presented via lecture, discussion, and clinical exercises.

Who should attend the workshop?

The workshop is intended for professional therapists, including:

• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Clinical counselors
• Social workers
• Occupational therapists
• Psychiatric nurses
• and other trained psychotherapists.

If you plan to attend...

Workshop participants will conduct clinical simulations with colleagues at various points during the workshop, often by splitting into groups of two or three. Please come prepared to participate in these nonthreatening exercises. As well, we recommend wearing casual, comfortable clothing.

How to register

1. Check the Calendar for information on upcoming workshop dates, locations, and prices.
   
2. Print a copy of the workshop flyer for the program you wish to attend.
3. If there is an indication that the workshop is nearing capacity, or if the registration deadline is approaching, call us at 604 871 0490 or fax the registration form to us at 604 871 0495.
   
4. Mail a copy of the form and your cheque (made out to "Changeways Clinic") to us at Changeways Clinic, Suite 509, 2525 Willow Street, Vancouver BC, V5Z 3N8.

If you have any questions about the program or about registration, call us at 604 871 0490.

If you know of additional staff members who might be interested in the program, let us know. We can send out brochures to your agency via email, fax, or regular mail.

Space is limited for all workshops, so register early!

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