Navigating the Storm: Using CBT to Weather the Divorce Process

What is this webinar about?

The process of going through a divorce can be one of the most distressing and demoralising life events an individual can experience. The psycholgical feelings of shock, rejection, loss and rebuilding can hit an invidual's well being and mental health hard. This workshop deals with the challenges for the therapist in supporting a client going through the storm of divorce. Drawing upon a CBT intervention framework, the workshop examines the most effective techniques for support, resilience and moving forward as a function of the stage of breakup. This introductory workshop assumes no prior knowledge of this area which is common in clinical practice both in terms of individual and couples psychotherapy.

Overview

1. Stages of Divorce
2. Stages of CBT
3. Practical Therapeutic Interventions at Different stages
4. Key Ideas - Oscillation, Distress Management, Resilience, Tolerating Uncertainty
5. 5 Common Mistakes CBT therapists make when working with divorce
6. 3 Case Studies
7. Summary

Questions for Reflection ahead of the workshop

We will be considering the following questions at the workshop. You will have the opportunity - entirely optional - to anonymously share your thoughts, experiences and insights on each of them.

1. What are your biggest challenges in supporting clients going through divorce? Are there specific patterns or themes that emerge in your practice?
2. How do you typically help clients manage strong emotions like anger, sadness, or fear during the divorce process? Are there any particular techniques or strategies you find effective?
3. What are your concerns about using CBT with clients experiencing divorce? Do you have any specific questions or worries about implementing these techniques in your practice?
4. Have you ever experienced a personal divorce or significant relationship breakup? If so, how did you cope with the emotional challenges and how has this experience influenced your therapeutic approach?
5. What are your hopes for this webinar? What specific knowledge or skills would you like to gain from attending this event?

Intelligent Podcast System

All delegates will get a copy of all slides and specialist worksheets for use with clients in this area, designed by Professor McGhee. In addition, all delegates will get free access for 7 days to our unique Notebook LM Intelligent Podcast audio which will summarise the entire workshop - and related materials - presented as an engaging two-person conversation.

Who is leading this webinar?

Professor Patrick McGhee is a CBT therapist, psychologist and UK National Teaching Fellow. Educated at the universities of Glasgow and Oxford, he has completed CPD programmes at Harvard Business School and Ashridge. In 2017 he was a Visiting Fellow/Scholar at the universities of Cornell, Yale and MIT in the USA. He has taught, researched or practised in psychology and therapy for 30 years. His first post was a Research Fellow in Psychiatry and Psychology at St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London. He is the author of Thinking Psychologically (Palgrave), The Ultimate CBT Handbook 2025 and co-editor of Accounting for Relationships (Methuen). He is an occasional columnist for the Guardian, the BBC and the Times Higher. He currently works in private practice in Greater Manchester. He has full accreditation from the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies which is regulated by the Professional Standards Authority.

Resources

All delegates will get a copy of all slides, case studies and specialist worksheets for use with clients in this area, designed by Professor McGhee.  

 Certificates

All attendees will receive a certificate in pdf format confirming 2 hours skills CPD.  There is no extra charge for this and replacements are free should you lose it.