Part 2 — Group consultations
Cognitive-behavioural conjoint therapy for PTSD (English) — 2023
Overview
The Atlas Institute is offering a two-part training on cognitive-behavioural conjoint therapy (CBCT) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to licensed/registered Canadian service providers (and their trainees) working in mental health who care for Veterans and Veteran Families. The cost for this training is covered by the Atlas Institute for eligible service providers who register and are approved (see details in Training fees).
This two-part training includes:
- Part 1: Official workshop on CBCT for PTSD (4 half-days; more info)
- Part 2: Regular group consultations with an expert in CBCT (20 weeks)
To learn more about group consultation (part 2), read below, including how to register!
Registration is closed. The registration form closed at 8 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, March 31, 2023.
About cognitive-behavioural conjoint therapy
CBCT for PTSD is a manualized, problem-focused therapy with the simultaneous goals of improving individual PTSD and enhancing intimate relationship functioning. CBCT for PTSD is a time-limited, evidence-based intervention consisting of 15 treatment sessions scheduled for 75 minutes each.
CBCT for PTSD improves the interpersonal environment in which Veterans exist on a day-to-day basis and capitalizes on the support of their significant relationships while they endeavor PTSD treatment. In this way, CBCT for PTSD:
- helps improve relationship issues we know often co-occur with PTSD; and
- capitalizes on the relationship to make each individual better.
Evidence shows that training is more effective at improving competence and use of therapies when consultation is included as part of the training program.
For information about CBCT, please visit the Couple Therapy for PTSD website.
Training fees
The Atlas Institute is covering the cost of the CBCT for PTSD workshop and post-workshop group consultations for approved registrants. There will be no cost to participants (subject to eligibility).
Registration
To register for group consultations with an expert in CBCT (Part 2), please complete the online form.
Registration is closed. The registration form closed at 8 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, March 31, 2023.
Post-workshop group consultation details
Post-workshop group consultations include consultation calls during which cases are discussed with a CBCT consultant in efforts to increase trainees’ knowledge of the protocol and its delivery.
Group consultations will take place weekly via the secure Zoom for Healthcare video conferencing platform. Each consultation session is led by a CBCT Consultant. CBCT Consultants are licensed mental health clinicians who have training and extensive experience in the delivery of CBCT.
Group CBCT consultation structure:
- Number of sessions offered: 20
- Session duration: 60 minutes
- Frequency of sessions: Weekly
- Delivery: Online via Zoom for Healthcare platform
- Language: English
Group 1*
- Day: Tuesdays
- Time: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. (ET)
- Start: April 11, 2023
Group 2*
- Day: Tuesdays
- Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. (ET)
- Start: April 11, 2023
Group 3*
- Day: Tuesdays
- Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. (ET)
- Start: April 11, 2023
Group 4*
- Day: Tuesdays
- Time: 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. (ET)
- Start: April 11, 2023
Group 5*
- Day: Fridays
- Time: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. (ET)
- Start: April 14, 2023
Group 6*
- Day: Fridays
- Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. (ET)
- Start: April 14, 2023
*Please note that the days and times for groups are subject to change.
You must first complete the official two full-day or four half-day workshop on CBCT for PTSD to participate in group consultations.
It is strongly encouraged that you have active cases or anticipate having active cases during the group consultation period. “Active cases” refers to having clients with PTSD that you are currently caring for.
Following completion of the post-workshop group consultations, you can expect to:
- Develop proficiency in delivering the CBCT for PTSD protocol.
- Learn to conceptualize PTSD-related symptoms within a relational context.
- Identify and effectively intervene on the cognitive and behavioural mechanisms that reciprocally interact to maintain and/or aggravate post-traumatic stress-related and initiate relationship problems.
Group consultations will be hosted on the secure Zoom for Healthcare video conferencing platform. Participants will be sent an invitation with instructions specific to your group prior to the first session.
There is space available for 48 participants.
There will be six groups offered. Each group will have a maximum of eight participants.
If you participated in the workshop offered by the Atlas Institute in March 2023 (part 1 of the CBCT training), you will receive priority. However, your spot is not guaranteed as space is limited.
Group consultations contribute to the achievement of CBCT Provider status. A requirement of group consultation is that you must attend a minimum of 15 consultation sessions. For more information about achieving CBCT Provider status, please visit the Couple Therapy for PTSD website.
About the trainer
Dr. Brandi Luedtke is a Clinical Psychologist and Consultant whose main interests include working with those impacted by trauma exposure and PTSD and in the development and dissemination of scientific-based mental health interventions.
Dr. Luedtke received her undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University and her master’s and Doctorate degrees at the University of Indianapolis. She completed her doctoral internship at the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center and has spent over the last decade in clinical, research, and leadership positions at one of the largest PTSD clinics in the United States. In addition to this, she has served as a consultant lending her clinical expertise in trauma-related disorders to develop various couples-based interventions and retreats, including working with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and American Sniper’s Chris Kyle Frog Foundation.
Dr. Luedtke’s passion lies in teaching, training, and supervision in addition to clinical work. She has trained and supervised over 100 clinicians in Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD and has provider status in several other effective PTSD treatments, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure. She aims to continue to bring the best quality of mental health care through her work with the Nellie team and innovative partners.
Target audience
This training is intended for licensed/registered service providers working in mental health who care for Veterans or Veteran Families in Canada. Trainees working under a licensed/registered service provider in Canada are also eligible to apply. Because of the advanced nature of group consultations, it is not intended for those with a general interest.
To be eligible, you must:
- Have previously completed the official two full-day or four half-day workshop in CBCT for PTSD led by certified CBCT trainers.
- Be a licensed/registered service provider or a trainee under a licensed/registered service provider working in mental health. For example: Counsellor; marriage and family therapist; nurse practitioner; occupational therapist; physician; psychiatrist; psychologist; psychotherapist; registered nurse; registered psychiatric nurse’ or social worker. If you do not see yourself in this list, please contact us to see if you’re eligible.
- Your licence needs to include psychotherapy in your scope of practice.
- Please note that regulatory bodies differ in each province and territory and the scope of practice and authorized client populations for each profession may vary as a result.
- Be currently living and providing care in Canada.
- Provide care to Veterans and Veteran Families* (Veterans from the Canadian Armed Forces and former RCMP members).
*The term Family member is used to describe a range of people, from partners and children, to parents, siblings, extended Family, and chosen Family or friends. - Be able to participate in the group consultations in English.
Note: Couples therapy does not need to be a declared competency to take this training.
It is strongly encouraged that you have active cases or anticipate having active cases during the group consultation period. “Active cases” refers to having clients with PTSD that you are currently caring for.
We encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity. The Atlas Institute is attentive to the diversity of our network and invites you to self-identify if you wish during registration. Responses from applicants who self-identify during the registration process will only be shared with training organizers at the Atlas Institute. Groups include:
- First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples, and all other Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities
- Member of a group(s) that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin
- Persons who identify as women
- Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions
The Atlas Institute is committed to supporting an accessible environment for participants attending trainings offered through the Atlas Institute. Part of this commitment includes ensuring supports, such as American Sign Language interpreters or captionists, are made available during the training. Prior to the training, we will ask all participants if any support would help them fully participate in this training.
