In 2021, we received funding to develop a ‘train the trainer’ programme to support healthcare professional nationally and internationally, apply ACT to the area of perinatal mental health. Since 2021, we have evaluated the programme, had many staff complete the phases and are now in a place to offer this as part of our training offerings.
Phase 1- Initial Training
This training takes place over 2 days, delivered via microsoft teams to support healthcare professionals both nationally and internationally to attend. Led by our team of facilitators who are all specialists in perinatal mental health within the NHS and academia, this training brings together their extensive experience of delivering ACT both in person and online. They aim to share their learning experiences and increase clinician’s knowledge and confidence in applying ACT to perinatal mental health in both individual and group formats.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
The 2-day course will be delivered via microsoft teams, with a focus on both theory, experiential learning and discussion. Through case studies, video demonstrations and experiential exercises, you’ll gain practical tools to integrate ACT into your work with parents.
Over the 2 days, we will cover the following:
- An Introduction to the ACT model, including the different components of the hexaflex and additional elements such as ACT and emotions, and ACT and compassion.
- Applying the ACT model to common difficulties experienced in the perinatal period including intrusive thoughts, feelings of guilt and shame, held narratives around what it means to be a mother or parent, identity shifts, managing uncertainty of the future and emotional distress.
- Explore how ACT can help parents strengthen their bond with their baby, and reconnect with their sense of identity and purpose now they are a parent.
- Learn practical applications of skills to different presenting difficulties
- Explore the use of ACT individually and also in a group format
- Explore the use of ACT face-to-face and as a remote delivered intervention
- Gain knowledge in the current evidence-base for using ACT within the perinatal period
We will also discuss more nuanced topics such as ‘self disclosure’ within ACT, and how that sits with your discipline and background, and as a tool for supporting the application of ACT in the perinatal period.
WHO IT’S FOR:
This course would benefit any healthcare professional working with parents during the perinatal period and early years, including those who do not work directly in mental health services. Examples of backgrounds and roles include:
- Psychologists and other therapist roles
- Psychiatrists
- Maternity staff such as Obstetricians and Midwives
- Occupational Therapists
- Social Workers
- Health Visitors and Nursery Nurses
BENEFITS
By the end of the course, we hope that healthcare staff will feel their knowledge and confidence in using ACT in the perinatal period has increased. We hope they will have more practical strategies within their toolkit, to support parents within the perinatal period experiencing a range of challenges. We hope attendees will recognise the impact that ACT can have, in empowering parents to live a fulfilling life around the rollercoaster of parenting.
Additionally, this course allows for discussion and sharing of ideas/challenges with peers. Previous training feedback has told us that this has been one of the highlights of the training, allowing learning from eachother in different services, contexts and countries and thus building a wider knowledge base of applying ACT in the area of perinatal mental health.
LOCATION
Due to this course being available for international colleagues to attend, the course will be delivered via Microsoft Teams.
TO BOOK:
Booking for this course is through the Cardiff University Continuous Professional Development (CPD) unit via this link:
Please do contact team if you have any questions regarding accessibility, training content or suitability for the training.