Oral 02 | Group therapy for emotion dysregulation and self-harm in young adults
Tracks
Track 10
| Friday, May 15, 2020 |
| 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
Presenter(s)
Ms Susan Num
Youth Mental Health Service, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network
Oral 02 | Group therapy for emotion dysregulation and self-harm in young adults
10:50 AM - 11:10 AMOutline
An overview of two group therapy treatment programs developed to reduce self-harming behaviours and emotion dysregulation in adolescents and young adults (aged 16-24 years) who present within government community mental health services. Challenges associated with risk, clinical complexity, evidence based practice, engagement of a young cohort and involvement of families/carers were carefully considered in development of the programs and suitability of the therapeutic modalities. The programs were made possible via a successful grant tenure and funding approved for a two year trial.
A 10-week cognitive behaviour therapy informed group program focused on social problem solving was adapted for young people who self-harm. This included sessions on sensory modulation and distress tolerance to stabilise self-harming behaviours. Additional sessions for family members or carers to attend, in an attempt to increase awareness and support the application of new skills in the home environment.
A second intensive 25-week dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) group program was to focus on helping young people who experience difficulties regulating their emotions. This has been adapted from Rathus & Miller’s (2007) multifamily DBT skills group program which includes a family member/carer in each session and will aim to increase skills in mindfulness, improve tolerance of difficult situations and emotional pain, and focus on mood management and strengthening family and other relationships.
Initial findings from the two programs (due for commencement in early 2020) will be presented.
Partnerships between the government service, a not-for-profit mental health research foundation and a philanthropic organisation were essential in securing financial support for a senior clinician/service coordinator and a research assistant. The processes involved in establishing these industry partnerships will also be presented. There was also consideration of professional development opportunities for clinicians involved in the community teams and in-kind support to ensure successful coordination and delivery of service.
A 10-week cognitive behaviour therapy informed group program focused on social problem solving was adapted for young people who self-harm. This included sessions on sensory modulation and distress tolerance to stabilise self-harming behaviours. Additional sessions for family members or carers to attend, in an attempt to increase awareness and support the application of new skills in the home environment.
A second intensive 25-week dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) group program was to focus on helping young people who experience difficulties regulating their emotions. This has been adapted from Rathus & Miller’s (2007) multifamily DBT skills group program which includes a family member/carer in each session and will aim to increase skills in mindfulness, improve tolerance of difficult situations and emotional pain, and focus on mood management and strengthening family and other relationships.
Initial findings from the two programs (due for commencement in early 2020) will be presented.
Partnerships between the government service, a not-for-profit mental health research foundation and a philanthropic organisation were essential in securing financial support for a senior clinician/service coordinator and a research assistant. The processes involved in establishing these industry partnerships will also be presented. There was also consideration of professional development opportunities for clinicians involved in the community teams and in-kind support to ensure successful coordination and delivery of service.
Biography
Susan Num (FCCLP) works as an endorsed clinical psychologist in a multi-disciplinary community youth mental health service in southern Adelaide, South Australia. Susan provides assessment and therapeutic services to young people (aged 16-24 years; and their families) who have experienced severe mental illness (depression, anxiety and personality disorders) with high risk and complex comorbidities (drug/alcohol abuse, domestic violence, juvenile justice). Susan has provided structured individual and group (CBT and DBT) treatments in a variety of practice settings including community, inpatient, metropolitan, rural, Statewide services and forensic custodial facilities. Susan supervises registered psychologists, established and oversees a Clinic hosting student provisional psychologists and provides consultancy on psychological practice across Southern Adelaide services. She has worked full time for the South Australian Government in clinical and leadership positions for over a decade. She has held Executive Level positions with the APS CCLP (SA Section) Committee, University boards and lecturing positions.
