Using Case Studies with Clients in CBT - A New Technique for Therapy

What is the Workshop About?

Most CBT therapists are familiar with the use of fictional case studies as a means to explore and discuss potential approaches to treating common psychological conditions and challenges as part of their own training. However, case studies can also be used as a direct therapeutic technique to help clients reflect and review key aspects of presenting issues and common scenarios that are relevant to their own situation. This helps the client stand back and consider their own situation and options. Drawing on psychological research and best clinical practice, Professor McGhee presents his own model of case study work with clients which delegates are encouraged to explore, customise and apply to their own clinical practice. While particularly useful in supporting discharge and resilience, Professor McGhee highlights how the technique can be used throughout the therapeutic process. Although working primarily within an individual CBT framework, use of case studies in other modalities such as ACT, CFT and Schema Therapy is also examined along with the distinctive features of case studies in couples work.

Delegates will be given a selection of core case studies to help then start their work in this area along with templates to support creation of their own.

This innovative approach is explored by delegates in a series of interactive and collaborative exercises.

Overview of the Workshop

1. The Idea of The Client Becoming their own Therapist - Beyond Lip Service
2. Using Case Studies - Core Principles
3. Step by Step Guide to the Practical Use of Case Studies with Clients
4. Case Studies and Common Conditions: GAD, Depression and Anger
5. Case Studies in ACT, CFT and Schema Therapy
6. Case Studies in Couples Work
7. Case Studies with Children and Young People
8. Five Mistakes Therapists can make when using case studies and how to avoid them
9. Developing Your Own Case Studies
10. Summary

Resources

A full set of slides with extensive clickable links to online resources, is sent free to all delegates after the event. This also includes references to key sources.

CPD

A CPD Certificate of Attendance confirming 2 hours skills CPD is available free to all delegates who attend.

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.

Please note

The workshop does not itself offer therapy to people suffering from depression. See NHS website for guidance https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/how-to-access-mental-health-services/