Understanding Emotions as an alternative to diagnosis: Emotionally – focused interventions for young people and adults (29 September 2026)
The approach is consistent with CBT and has been described as a “developmentally attuned approach, which is transdiagnostic and, with its primary focus on emotions, is better targeted than traditional CBT for young people” by Professor Patrick McGorry (Professor of Youth Mental Health) and as a “paradigm shift” by Professor Jamie Hacker Hughes (Past President of the BPS).
The approach enables psychologists and other professionals to provide evidence-based support and intervention to people without using the diagnostic model, psychiatric labels or terms of illness. It is a normalising approach that aims to encourage people to view themselves as fundamentally similar to others and to make changes to how they respond to emotions to bring about the changes they want in their lives.
What is the course structure?
This is a two-hour online webinar on 29 September 2026, 10:00 - 12:00. This webinar will be recorded. The recording will be available for 12 weeks after the live session.
Webinar joining details: The Zoom link will be released in the webinar page within BPS Learn 24 hours before the workshop, and you will also receive an email notification. Please ensure you check your spam/junk folder for an email from noreply@bps.org.uk.
Please note, we use Zoom to host our online webinars. If you require any help with Zoom, please refer to these Zoom instructions.
After you have attended the webinar, we will invite you to complete a short survey to get feedback on your experience and to download your certificate of attendance.
This webinar is available to book until 10:00 on 28 September 2026 and is available in English only.
Attendees of this webinar will receive a Certificate of Attendance.
What will I learn?
- Understand and explain the basics of emotion science
- Start to apply emotion science to clinical work
- Evaluate this approach in comparison to usual practice for own work
- Consider the opportunities and challenges of implementing these ideas in clinical work
Is this webinar right for me?
The webinar will be of interest to anybody using psychological ideas in their work, ranging from clinicians working with clients, to those working in education and social care. It would interest, in particular, those uncomfortable with using the diagnostic model in their work and looking for alternative approaches, whether entering the profession or seasoned professionals.
Who is the presenter?
Dr Lawrence Howells
The presenter has been delivering lectures and skills sessions online and in-person to trainee CBT therapists, trainee clinical psychologists and trainee clinical associate psychologists regularly (sometimes 4 times per week) since September 2019. As a result, he is able to deliver online content in an interactive and engaging manner. He is a clinical associate professor at the University of East Anglia and has presented workshops for the BPS and the BABCP.
How much does it cost?
Price: £91.67 (+ VAT)Members: £55.00 (+ VAT)
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You will have access to the workshop resources for twelve weeks from the date of the workshop.
In addition to the site policies this course is subject to additional terms and conditions.
Our accessibility statement gives more details on our approach.
Group discounts
If you or your colleagues are looking to book onto this course as a group you can make savings by booking five or more places.
Invoicing
In order to request a quote for five or more learners, please email cpd@bps.org.uk. If you are looking to book for fewer than 5 learners please proceed directly to requesting an invoice.
To request an invoice for you or your group, please complete this invoice request form. We also provide guidance to support this process. Please note, to raise an invoice you will need to provide a Purchase Order. Once the invoice has been paid we will provide your learners with details of how to access their learning.