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Dialogues for Discovery

Presented by Dr Helen Kennerley

About the event

This in-person workshop has been organised by the West Branch.

Venue - The Bristol Hotel, Prince Street, Bristol, BS1 4QF Venue Website
Times9.30am to 4.30pm, with registration from 9.00am

Lunch and refreshments are included.

A certificate of attendance will be issued for 6 hours CPD.

Registration closes - Midday on Friday 3 October. Places are limited though, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Synopsis
Psychotherapy's effectiveness rests on a therapist’s ability to help clients discover new possibilities that resonate for them. The Socratic approach achieves this by helping them make their own discoveries and devise new ways forward. The Socratic approach has quite rightly been called a “cornerstone” of our work as psychotherapists (Padesky, 1993), yet practitioners are sometimes unsure about best use of the methods and their application.

This workshop aims to impart confidence in the clinician by addressing:

• The evolution and role of Socratic Methods in psychotherapy, in particular the development of Padesky’s 4-stage process of “Socratic Dialogue” (informational questions, empathic listening, summaries, analytical and synthesising questions).
• The “What”, “Why” and “When” of dialogues for discovery allowing you to hone your skills in making best use of various Socratic methods to enhance your practice from assessment through to ending therapy.
• When not to use Socratic techniques.
• Ways in which the model can be incorporated with other familiar change methods such as behavioural experiments and thought records.
• The use of a therapeutic alliance that fosters the curiosity, humility and empathy needed to adopt an effective Socratic intervention.

There will be opportunity for reflection on the teaching, time to consider your own practice, and there will be time for discussion and questions.

The workshop will draw on the recently published, “Dialogues for Discovery”, (Padesky & Kennerley, 2023). The book emphasises the versatility of this very pan-diagnostic Socratic process and offers guidance, tips, signposts, ways of overcoming typical obstacles.

This event is aimed at qualified CBT therapists, trainee CBT therapists, PWP's and Psychologists. It is also suitable for Occupational Therapists and Social Workers working in clinical settings. 

About the presenter(s)

Dr Helen Kennerley is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist working with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, and a Senior Associate Tutor with the University of Oxford. She is a founder member of the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre (OCTC), where she was formerly the Director of its Advanced Cognitive Therapy Studies courses and MSc, and co-director of the OCTC D.Phil. She is now the lead for the Postgraduate Certificates in Supervision & Training and in Psychological Trauma & Personality Development. She has practiced CBT for nearly 40 years, having trained in Oxford and the US.

Dr Kennerley has written several popular cognitive therapy self-help books and texts, some of which have been commended by the British Medical Association. Most notably, she is co-author of “An Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy,” which is now in its 3rd edition. She also has a long-standing interest in developing Socratic methods and co-edited “Dialogues for Discovery” with Dr Christine Padesky (2023). She was short listed for the BABCP award of most influential female cognitive therapist in Britain at their 30th anniversary celebrations.

Cancellation

By registering on this event you accept the following terms and conditions:

All cancellation requests must be made in writing by emailing events@babcp.com

In person events
An event booking cancelled up to 14 days prior to the scheduled event will receive a full refund.

An event booking cancelled between 14 and 7 days prior to the scheduled event will receive a 50% refund.

No refunds will be granted if a cancellation is made fewer than 7 days prior to the scheduled event, or for failure to attend.

BABCP cancels events only when necessary, but reserves the right to do so, as well as to reschedule events and substitute presenters.  If an event is cancelled by BABCP you will be given a full refund of registration fees paid.

BABCP expressly excludes any liability for any direct or indirect losses or damages arising as a result of an event cancellation and will not be responsible for any associated costs incurred i.e. travel or accommodation.  As such, it is recommended that you do not book non-refundable travel or accommodation.



In person event
16 Oct 2025
West
9.30AM-4.30PM
100.00 GBP (ex. VAT) - BABCP Member
130.00 GBP (ex. VAT) - Non Member

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If you are a BABCP member, make sure you register and login as a member when booking so that you are charged the discounted member event fee

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