Handouts & questionnaires for “outcomes toolkit” (IAPT)
27th October 2008
The "Improving Access to Psychological Therapies" (IAPT) initiative is very ambitious and exciting. It states its principal aim is to support English Primary Care Trusts in implementing "National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence" (NICE) guidelines for people suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. IAPT go on to say that …
NICE guidelines: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, young people & adults
23rd October 2008
Last month, NICE - the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in England & Wales - issued a guideline on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In the associated press release they commented "ADHD is a common behavioural disorder in children and young people estimated to affect up to 3% …
Research: a step forward for open access
21st October 2008
For much too long it has been hard to access published research without having to pay large amounts of money for journal subscriptions or single article fees. Since a large proportion of this research is government, hence taxpayer, funded, it seems very wrong that we should then have to pay …
Handouts & questionnaires for sleep, ADHD & fatigue
20th October 2008
Here are a collection of handouts, questionnaires and information sheets about sleep, ADHD, and fatigue. The sleep handouts are mostly based on Colin Espie's excellent self-help book "Overcoming insomnia and sleep problems" and the intention is that the handouts would be used in conjunction with this book - see the …
Four aspects of helpful inner focus: 1.) reducing negative states
19th October 2008
I started meditating regularly while I was still at university in the early 1970's. I then went on a number of meditation retreats and visited a whole series of monasteries and ashrams. By the late 70's I had a good deal of experience of a fruit salad of methods including …
Vegged out & fruitless: lifestyle & health
18th October 2008
Last month's BMJ published another in the long line of research articles that highlight the huge importance of lifestyle choices for our health: Dam, R. M. v., T. Li, et al. (2008). "Combined impact of lifestyle factors on mortality: prospective cohort study in US women." BMJ 337(sep16_2): a1440- [Free Full …
Recent research: four happiness studies on traditional advice, health benefits, and the particular value of safety & contentment
16th October 2008
It seemed time to post on recent research involving happiness and wellbeing. Here are four studies from the current issues of the Journal of Happiness Studies (the September edition is open access with all full articles freely viewable) and the Journal of Positive Psychology. Ad Bergsma discusses advice on how …
Handouts & questionnaires for wellbeing and calming skills
13th October 2008
I continue to slowly add handouts & questionnaires to the relevant area in the website's "Good Knowledge" section. Here are a some that I use largely in the territory of wellbeing, mindfulness and relaxation. Some are assessment and monitoring questionnaires. Some provide orientating information. Some describe specific exercises to do. …
Recent research: a mixed bag of studies on personality, paranoia, burnout, somatization, and relationships
9th October 2008
This week's recent research post is a mixed bag of six studies covering the physiological & psychological changes triggered by being separated from one's partner, why similar levels of anxiety & interpersonal sensitivity can lead to social anxiety in some individuals and paranoia in others, how difficulty identifying feelings is …
Handouts & questionnaires for summary, reflection, screening, progress charts, empathy & confidence, and more
6th October 2008
Here are a series of forms that I use almost every session with clients, or for screening and orientation at the start of therapy: Summary sheet - at the end of virtually every session with a client I move my chair round to sit beside them and, using a clipboard …