Registration Opens in January!
We are delighted to offer this workshop led by Professor Sophie Parker, an internationally recognized clinician and researcher in early intervention for bipolar disorder and at-risk mental states, including psychosis. This session introduces delegates to CBT-BAR (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Bipolar at Risk), a pioneering, world-first psychological intervention developed by Professor Parker and colleagues specifically for young people meeting Bipolar at Risk (BAR) criteria.
CBT-BAR was created to address a critical gap in mental health care. Young people at risk of bipolar disorder often experience distressing mood swings and complex comorbidities, yet current services typically offer treatments for unipolar depression or pharmacological approaches that may be ineffective or even harmful. This approach is also highly relevant for clinicians working with individuals experiencing a first episode of bipolar disorder or those at the very start of their journey, providing practical strategies to support early recovery and prevent relapse.
Drawing on extensive clinical experience, including feasibility testing, therapist training, and supervision across multiple trials, Professor Parker will guide participants through the CBT-BAR model. This innovative approach introduces a unique conceptualization and intervention pathway, while building on established frameworks such as CBT for psychosis (ARMS) and the Integrative Cognitive Model for bipolar disorder. CBT-BAR targets mechanisms that maintain mood swings, specifically, extreme appraisals of internal states and maladaptive coping strategies (ascent and descent behaviors) while promoting adaptive responses and personalized understanding of mood patterns. The intervention integrates cognitive and behavioral strategies with collaborative formulation, personalized mood continua, and behavioral experiments to help young people reduce distress, improve functioning, and achieve their goals.
Participants will gain:
- A clear understanding of BAR criteria, their predictive validity, and clinical application.
- Insight into the CBT-BAR model, including its theoretical foundations and practical strategies for intervention.
- Skills in collaborative formulation and personalized mood continua.
- Techniques for appraisal change, behavioral experiments, and strategies to reduce unhelpful coping responses.
The workshop will also share findings from feasibility studies and the ongoing Bipolar at Risk Trial II (BART II), the first large-scale, multi-site RCT evaluating CBT-BAR within NHS services. These developments mark a paradigm shift in preventative mental health care, aligning with early intervention principles and offering significant potential for service transformation and cost-effectiveness.
By attending, delegates will gain practical skills to apply CBT-BAR in clinical settings and understand its broader impact on youth mental health services. This workshop is designed for clinicians, researchers, and service leads committed to advancing early intervention and improving outcomes for young people at risk of bipolar disorder.
Learning Objectives:
- Upon completion of this activity, the learner should be able to recognize Bipolar at Risk (BAR) presentations in young people and identify those who may benefit from CBT-BAR.
- Upon completion of this activity, the learner should be able to explain the theoretical foundations of CBT-BAR, including mechanisms such as extreme appraisals and maladaptive coping strategies.
- Upon completion of this activity, the learner should be able to apply CBT-BAR principles to develop collaborative formulations and personalized mood continua.
- Upon completion of this activity, the learner should be able to demonstrate strategies for appraisal change using behavioral experiments and cognitive techniques within the CBT-BA framework.
Upon completion of this activity, the learner should be able to evaluate outcomes for young people receiving CBT-BAR, focusing on distress reduction and improved functioning.
