Conversations can feel out of control when strong emotions arise, learn to stay focused with compassion. These programmes help participants to gain insight and understanding about emotional expression, why they may experience strong emotions, as well as others.
The workshop is psycho educational as well as interactive. Led by experienced tutors.

Open to all health boards.

Date of course to be confirmed – please click the book now button to be added to our waiting list for upcoming dates

Overview

Healthcare workers work in an emotionally charged setting. Patients and their families often experience strong emotions such as anger, distress, sadness, and shock. This highly interactive workshop will explore different strategies and skills to manage difficult conversations when someone is expressing strong emotions. Participants will work in a peer group to address emotionally charged situations from their own clinical practice, teaching and management roles.

Open to all health care professionals who would like to improve their confidence and communication skills when having conversations with people who are expressing strong emotions.

Common strong emotions that may be explored on the workshop are:

• Fear and anxiety
• Sadness and grief
• Anger
• Resentment
• Shock
• Distress
• Frustration
• Denial
• Helplessness
• Regret
• Isolation or loneliness
  

Learning Outcomes

• Understand what causes strong emotions
• Understand different behaviour modes and how these impact emotions and behaviour
• Practice different techniques and strategies
• Observe and evaluation key communication skills

Tutor Team

Professor Belinda Hacking

EC4H Lead Tutor

Professor Belinda Hacking set up EC4H in 2002 and has led the development of this national training network. She has worked with professionals in healthcare across the UK developing the EC4H coaching and training programmes in clinical communication.  Until January 2025, Belinda worked for NHS Lothian as the Director of Psychology.  Belinda has a special interest in shared decision-making in healthcare and has more than 40 publications focusing on psychological adjustment in palliative care, clinical communication and shared decision making. HCPC accredited. She was awarded as a Research Fellow to the Open University in June 2025 and as an Honorary Professor to Edinburgh University in October 2025.  Prof. Hacking continues to work as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and has a busy clinical practise, alongside her teaching, coaching and research roles. 
British Psychological Society membership: 33194

Dr Jennifer Horne

 EC4H Tutor

Dr Horne is a Consultant Paediatrician in NHS Lothian.  She completed her EC4H tutor training in 2024.