Workshop Description

I have loved doing workshops throughout the United States and Canada over the past 15 years, and am grateful to the many thousands of mental health professionals who have attended and participated in them. However, I have concerns that although a two-day program may inspire the participants, it may not provide the hands-on training, supervision, and practice that are necessary to use these techniques effectively in real-world settings. That's why I was thrilled when Jack Hirose offered me the opportunity to do a four-day intensive workshop in Vancouver in the summer of 2009.

The Vancouver intensive will differ from my one-day or two-day workshops in several ways. First, the number of participants will be smaller than my usual workshops (maximum of 125 participants), leading to a much more intimate learning environment. You will get the chance to interact with me and with your colleagues in a friendly learning environment.

Second, after I describe and illustrate a technique, such as the Interpersonal Downward Arrow, the Five Secrets of Effective Communication, Paradoxical Agenda Setting, Relationship Journal, or Externalization of Voices and Acceptance Paradox, you will have the opportunity to break of into dyads and triads to actually practice and master each technique.

Third, you will have the chance to work on some of your own issues as part of the learning process if you choose to do so. We're all human, and we all have the tendency to feel anxious, frustrated, ashamed, inadequate, or demoralized in the course of our work, which is inherently stressful and challenging. Although this will not be a therapy group, but a training workshop, the personal "patient" experience can make these techniques far more meaningful, and will make you a more sensitive and effective clinician.

Working on so-called "counter-transference" feelings has always been an important part of the psychotherapeutic tradition. It also has a spiritual basis: "Physician, heal thyself." I will not be looking for deep, personal issues you might be reluctant to share in a public setting, but rather the kinds of problems we all encounter on a daily basis in our clinical work with clients who are angry, mistrustful, or profoundly depressed.

Fourth, we will cover a broad range of topics, including how to deal with:

• Depression and low self-esteem
• Anxiety Disorders
• Relationship Problems
• Addictions

This is important because patients rarely come to us with one specific problem, like "Panic Disorder." They nearly always suffer in many different ways, so we need a broad range of tools to be effective if we are to treat the whole person, and not just an isolated symptom.

Finally, we will work much harder, from early morning until late at night. We will work from 8:30am to 4:30pm day 1 thru 4; in addition to this, we will practice and go thru demonstrations from 6pm to 8pm on day 1 and day 3. We will also eat some of our meals together each day, giving the word "intensive" real meaning.

I have only had the chance to do about a dozen intensives in the past. They have been the most vibrant and inspirational teaching experiences I have ever had. There is no comparison, really, with one of my large, two-day workshops. I warmly invite you to attend the Edmonton Intensive in the summer of 2009 if you possibly can. It promises to be one of the best learning opportunities of your career.

- Dr. David Burns, M.D.