Professor Trudie Chalder
CBT for functional / dissociative Seizures (DFS): from theory to clinical practice
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Thursday 19th November
09.30 - 16.30
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Also available 'on demand'
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CBT for Persistent Physical Symptoms
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One day workshop 'on demand' 6 hours CPD
£80.00
Only £40.00 in our Autumn Sale;
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Trudie Chalder PhD
Professor of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Department of Psychological Medicine
IOPPN
Kings College
University of London.
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Trudie is the first Professor of CBT in the UK and President of BABCP 2012-2014
CBT for functional/dissociative seizures (DFS); from theory to clinical practice
Professor Trudie Chalder
19th November 2026
One Day Workshop, 6 hours CPD
ABSTRACT
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CBT for functional / dissociative seizures; from theory to clinical practice
Professor Trudie Chalder
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Functional/dissociative seizures (FDS) are among the most common presentations within Functional Neurological Disorder (FNS) services and can be associated with considerable disability, distress and related quality of life. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is currently the best-evaluated psychological treatment for FDS and has demonstrated benefits across a range of clinically important outcomes, including seizure freedom, psychosocial functioning, quality of life and psychological distress.
This interactive workshop introduces participants to the theoretical foundations, evidence base and practical application of FDS-specific CBT. Drawing on the CODES trial and a fear-avoidance model of symptom maintenance, the workshop will explore how seizures may develop and persist through interactions between arousal, dissociation, avoidance, attention and catastrophic interpretation of bodily sensations.
Participants will learn how to develop individualised CBT formulations, identify maintaining factors and apply a range of evidence-based interventions including seizure diaries, refocusing strategies, graded exposure, cognitive restructuring, emotional processing and relapse preventions. Clinical examples, case discussions and practical exercises will help clinicians translate theory into everyday clinical practice.
The workshop is suitable for psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists, neurologists and other health professionals working with individuals experiencing functional neurological symptoms
Learning Objectives
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By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
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Describe the current evidence base and theoretical models underpinning cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for Functional/Dissociative Seizures (FDS).
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Develop individualised CBT formulations that identify the factors contributing to the onset and maintenance of FDS.
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Apply key CBT interventions for FDS, including seizure monitoring, attentional retraining, behavioural exposure, cognitive restructuring and stress management.
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Support long-term recovery through relapse prevention, self-management strategies and adaptation of the treatment model to other functional neurological symptoms.​
CBT for persistent physical symptoms
Professor Trudie Chalder
One Day On-Demand Workshop,
6 hours CPD
ABSTRACT
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Cognitive behaviour therapy for persistent physical symptoms: what to do and how it works?
Professor Trudie Chalder
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Overlapping, common, persistent physical symptoms, not associated with significant pathology, are associated with profound distress, sleep disturbance and disability. Patients with these symptoms attract a range of different labels including irritable bowel syndrome, , chronic fatigue, cough hypersensitivity, fibromyalgia, and dissociative seizures. Around 50% of patients in secondary care have symptoms such as these. Evidence has accumulated for the efficacy of cognitive behaviour therapy. Some studies focus on one syndrome such as irritable bowel syndrome while others take a transdiagnostic approach.
The aim of the workshop is to,
(1) describe specific and transdiagnostic models and treatment approaches for persistent physical symptoms, and
(2) describe evidence of efficacy and mechanisms of change.
This workshop will be useful for qualified cognitive behaviour therapists and clinical psychologists working in primary or secondary care, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, and primary care physicians.
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In this workshop you will develop an understanding of why physical symptoms persist within a cognitive behavioural framework, the extent to which they can be changed and how they can be changed. Building on your existing skills you will expand your repertoire of skills and techniques that will translate into effective change for your clients and patients. A range of self-report scales will be described as well as self help materials for patients.
References
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Chalder T, Willis C. ‘Lumping’ and ‘splitting’ medically unexplained symptoms: is there a role for a transdiagnostic approach? J Ment Health. 2017 Jun;26(3):187–191. doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2017.1322187
Chalder T, Patel M, Hotopf M, Moss-Morris R, Ashworth M, Watts K, David AS, McCrone P, Husain M, Garrood T, James K, Landau S. Efficacy of therapist delivered transdiagnostic CBT for patients with persistent physical symptoms in secondary care: a randomised control trial. Psychol Med. 2021 May 31. doi.org/10.1017/S0033291721001793 [Epub]
Husain M, Chalder T. Medically unexplained symptoms: assessment and management. Clin Med (Lond). 2021 Jan;21(1):13-18. doi.org/10.7861/clinmed.2020-0947
Windgassen S, Moss-Morris R, Goldsmith K, Chilcot J, Sibelli A, Chalder T. The journey between brain and gut: a systematic review of psychological mechanisms of treatment effect in irritable bowel syndrome. Br J Health Psychol. 2017 Nov;22(4):701–736. doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12250
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