Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder
Saturday, 11 October⋅9:00 – 11:00am | Online
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that typically has a seasonal pattern. Periods of depression tend to occur at the same time each year, usually during the winter. In common with other forms of depression, two of the main symptoms of SAD are a low mood and a lack of interest in life. Other symptoms of SAD include lower levels of activity than normal and increased sleeping. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that SAD should be treated in the same way as other types of depression.This includes using talking treatments, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or medication, such as antidepressants.
About This Workshop:
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) presents unique challenges in clinical practice, with its cyclical nature, diverse presentations, and impact on client well-being. This practical, evidence-based workshop is designed specifically for trained psychotherapists seeking to deepen their understanding of SAD and enhance their clinical effectiveness using CBT-informed interventions. The session will combine concise theory, current research, illustrative case studies, and hands-on strategies to help you improve outcomes for clients experiencing SAD.
Topics Covered
- Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder
- DSM-5 classification and diagnostic criteria
- Symptom profiles: Winter-pattern vs. summer-pattern SAD
- Epidemiology and risk factors
- The lived experience: Client perspectives
- Assessment and Differential Diagnosis
- Key assessment tools (e.g., Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire)
- Identifying SAD vs. other depressive disorders
- Causal Models and Underlying Mechanisms
- Neurobiology (serotonin, melatonin, circadian rhythms)
- Role of vitamin D and lifestyle factors
- CBT and Related Treatments
- Evidence base for CBT in SAD
- Role and limitations of antidepressants, light therapy, and vitamin D
- Activity scheduling, behavioural activation, and social engagement
- Practical Techniques for Treating SAD
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a structured approach to assessment and diagnosis of SAD
- Apply specific CBT techniques for managing SAD symptoms in real-world clinical contexts
- Avoid common clinical pitfalls and enhance client engagement
- Integrate adjunctive treatments into a holistic care plan
- Foster ongoing reflective and collaborative practice
Treating Low Self-Esteem with CBT
Sunday 12 October 2025 | 9am-11am | Online
12 Oct`2509:00-11:00
What is this webinar about?
Low self esteem is a common feature of many mental health issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, relationship conflict and anger. Amongst children and young people, in particular, low self esteem can be a critical cause and consequence of psychological distress. Fortunately, there are effective, evidence-based practical techniques which can used with a wide range of issues to break the vicious circles and help clients - adults and young people - strengthen their sense of self.
Key Topics (indicative)
- What causes low self esteem?
- What maintains low self esteem?
- How can it be measured?
- What does the latest research say?
- Why is the clinical significance?
- What practical techniques can be used to treat it?
- Challenging Unhelpful thinking styles
- Creating balanced core beliefs
- Challenging Unhelpful Assumptions and Unhelpful Rules
- Unconditional Self Acceptance
- Summary and next steps.
What have previous delegates said about this webinar?
- A really helpful and detailed break-down of what self-esteem is, its causes and how to treat low self-esteem. Very much recommended.
- An interesting engaging session with practical pointers for working with clients with low self esteem.
- I am an integrative and systemic therapist with 12 years experience and I found this a well structured and useful workshop. It has been a good refresher of CBT techniques and current research and offers some tangible tools to use with clients.
- Very informative and relevant to clinical practice.
- I have found this workshop really enlightening and excited to use the techniques advised. Thank you so much!
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.
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.
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