Positive Mind Body Therapy Work Shop

Psychoneuroimmunology utilises mind and body interaction to aid healing and promote health.

The BST Foundation is pleased to introduce as part of its ongoing continual professional development (CPD) programme, a one day workshop in Psychoneuroimmunology - Positive Mind Body Therapy. This course has been granted CPD accreditation by the Royal College of Nursing (6 hours study time).

PNI is the study of how the mind and body interact and affect the health of an individual. Scientific evidence has shown that every thought, idea and belief has a neurochemical consequence, and that these can have positive and negative consequences for health. In this workshop, we will use an understanding of the science and principles that underlie these mechanisms to learn practical techniques that can harness this powerful mind-body relationship.

Click Here to Book PNI Work Shop held in London- Saturday 22nd November 2008

Why Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) & Positive Mind Body Therapy is so important

Stress causes changes in the hormonal response of the body. To maintain good physical and psychological health the body likes a states of homeostasis or equilibrium, in other words the body likes balance. Stress causes this balance to flounder and serious health consequences can arise.

Stress can cause alterations to the immune system. Personality seems to mediate this effect because how the brain perceives stress and how people cope affects their physiological response. Balance is more easily maintained in an optimist because they produce less cortisol, the stress hormone, when faced with an adverse life situation than a pessimist. In fact optimists are at a reduced risk of developing heart disease and recover quicker from surgery than pessimists. Teaching people to harness these psychological powers within themselves is one of the aims of Positive Mind Body Therapy.

Depression makes you more susceptible to a range of other health related conditions including asthma and allergies. Evidence shows that people with diagnosed depression are 70% more likely to require additional health support than people without depression. This is most likely due to the effect depression has on cortisol levels weakening the immune system.

Stress has also been linked to obesity and the many health problems connected with putting extra strain on the body from carrying around all that extra weight. People find it much more difficult to lose weight if their system in unbalanced due to stress.

Psychoneuroimmunology helps us understand how the mind and the body interacts and allows us to develop new and innovative ways of rebalancing the equilibrium of the body thereby increasing positive emotional and physical well being.
This one-day workshop introduces PNI through a mixture of evidence based theory and the teaching of a range of practical psychological techniques to enhance immune functioning. Delegates have the opportunity not only to practice these new techniques but also to experience their powerful positive effects.

The Workshop

The day commences with an exploration of how the mind and body interact through the nervous system, the endocrine system and the immune system. Learning the physical pathways of these interactions sets the stage for more in-depth discussion of the physiological effects of stress, depression and trauma on immune functioning. The role of the mind in healing is also covered with clear and informative discussion of current evidence and a detailed examination of specific medical conditions including dermatological conditions, irritable bowel syndrome and cancer. The day concludes with the circumstances needed to facilitate the placebo effect, a result of mind-body interaction that has been described as “one of the 13 things that do not make sense to science”, despite being consistently demonstrated through scientific study.

As well as evidence-based topical discussions, there will be a practical sessions throughout the day that introduce a range of modern techniques to use with different client and patient groups.

This one-day workshop is appropriate for Doctors, Nurses, Psychologists, Counsellors, Ocuppational therapists and all other health care proffesionals interested in mind body interaction and enhancing immune funtioning. The course is also suitable for individuals who are already qualified to Diploma level with the BST Foundation, or who are pursuing training to Diploma level. Applicants with qualifications from other training organisations will be assessed on an individual basis. Successful completion of the course will lead to the award of a Certificate in Positive Mind Body Therapy.

The workshop examines the strong body of evidence showing the power of the mind over the body and will give a firm theoretical basis on which to practice a range of practical skills and techniques (Positive Mind Body Therapy) taught on the course .

The workshop will cover the following areas

-Psychoneuroimmunology – what is it?
-The mind-body connection
-Physiological effects of stress
-Emotion and the brain
-The role of Positive Mind Body Therapy in healing
-Practical PNI Approaches to aid healing and promote health-
-Practical Scripts for application of Positive Mind Body Therapy
-Stimulating the immune system
-Specific disease states, including cancer and dermatological conditions
-Everyday health benefits
-The power of placebo and nocebo

The workshop will consist of lectures, discussions and practical sessions in which specific Positive Mind Body Therapy techniques will be taught and therapeutic scripts will be given.

The work shop will be presented by DR. TIG CALVERT. BSc. PhD CPsychol. MBCSHA. DCHyp. Tig Calvert is a Senior Lecturer in Neuropsychology at St Mary's College, Strawberry Hill, where she also teaches research methods and statistics. With a healthcare background and a PhD in emotional and behavioural problems following traumatic brain injury, she currently specialises in how the brain produces and responds to emotions, and the interaction between mind and body.

This is a non-examined programme and credits are awarded for information acquired during the course that will contribute to the Certificate in Positive Mind Body Therapy being awarded. Students will receive their certificate at the end of the course. This one day workshop will be held at the BST Foundations usual training venues in London & Cardiff.

Click here to book PNI Work Shop held in London- Saturday 22nd November 2008

Some delegate comments:

-“A very authoritative and stimulating introduction to Psychoneuroimmunology – highly recommended”
-“Excellent day, very good presentation style”
-“Very useful to get hard research to back up our ‘education’. Knowledgeable lecturer”
-“Very enlightening and enjoyable”
-“I particularly liked the balance of scientific facts and practical application”
-“Excellent, clear presentation”
-“Optimistic and empowering”

For further booking forms and dates, please click on the booking information menu above and select the location you wish to attend from the short cut menu to the left of the page. Alternatively Please contact the Foundation on 020 8946 1432 for further details.