Session A6
Tracks
Stream A
| Saturday, May 17, 2025 |
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Overview
Mastering Mindfulness-Based CBT-I: Advanced Techniques for Insomnia Treatment | Dr Giselle Withers, Associate Professor Melinda Jackson, Dr Allie Peters (60 mins)
Presenter
Dr Giselle Withers
Avoka Health Psychology And Counselling
Mastering Mindfulness-Based CBT-I: Advanced Techniques for Insomnia Treatment
3:00 PM - 4:00 PMAbstract
This interactive workshop is designed to provide psychologists with a solid foundation of the Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (MiCBT-I) intervention.
Over two hours, participants will engage in hands-on activities, including live demonstrations, small group discussions, and simulated client consultations. The workshop will cover the core principles of mindfulness and CBT-I and how these can be effectively integrated into a cohesive treatment plan for insomnia.
Additionally, the workshop will explore digital interventions that enhance insomnia treatment accessibility and scalability. Participants will learn about various digital tools and platforms that can be integrated into clinical practice to improve treatment outcomes. These innovations make advanced techniques applicable to a broader range of patients, facilitating widespread adoption and impact.
The workshop will begin with an overview of the theoretical foundations of Mindfulness-based CBT-I and the research evidence supporting this approach. The presenters will highlight the versatility of this approach, providing details on how this intervention is being used in different populations including university students, older adults, dementia patients, and professional athletes.
The presenters will then offer live demonstrations showcasing key techniques such as mindfulness meditation, cognitive restructuring for sleep anxiety, and developing a bedtime restriction/sleep consolidation program using sleep diaries. It is assumed that participants will already have basic training in sleep hygiene, stimulus control and relaxation training, so these components of CBT-I will be briefly discussed. The demonstrations will illustrate how Mindfulness-based CBTi techniques can be applied in real-world clinical settings.
Attendees will then work in small groups to work through case studies, discussing how to tailor Mindfulness-based CBT-I interventions to a range of clinical presentations, with the opportunity to practice intervention techniques in a supportive environment. The presenters will provide feedback and coaching to groups during this practical component of the workshop.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have a solid foundation in MiCBT-I and be equipped with practical skills to implement this treatment approach in their clinical practice, ultimately improving patient outcomes in treating insomnia.
Over two hours, participants will engage in hands-on activities, including live demonstrations, small group discussions, and simulated client consultations. The workshop will cover the core principles of mindfulness and CBT-I and how these can be effectively integrated into a cohesive treatment plan for insomnia.
Additionally, the workshop will explore digital interventions that enhance insomnia treatment accessibility and scalability. Participants will learn about various digital tools and platforms that can be integrated into clinical practice to improve treatment outcomes. These innovations make advanced techniques applicable to a broader range of patients, facilitating widespread adoption and impact.
The workshop will begin with an overview of the theoretical foundations of Mindfulness-based CBT-I and the research evidence supporting this approach. The presenters will highlight the versatility of this approach, providing details on how this intervention is being used in different populations including university students, older adults, dementia patients, and professional athletes.
The presenters will then offer live demonstrations showcasing key techniques such as mindfulness meditation, cognitive restructuring for sleep anxiety, and developing a bedtime restriction/sleep consolidation program using sleep diaries. It is assumed that participants will already have basic training in sleep hygiene, stimulus control and relaxation training, so these components of CBT-I will be briefly discussed. The demonstrations will illustrate how Mindfulness-based CBTi techniques can be applied in real-world clinical settings.
Attendees will then work in small groups to work through case studies, discussing how to tailor Mindfulness-based CBT-I interventions to a range of clinical presentations, with the opportunity to practice intervention techniques in a supportive environment. The presenters will provide feedback and coaching to groups during this practical component of the workshop.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have a solid foundation in MiCBT-I and be equipped with practical skills to implement this treatment approach in their clinical practice, ultimately improving patient outcomes in treating insomnia.
.....
Dr Giselle Withers is a Clinical Psychologist and mindfulness teacher with over 20 years’ experience treating people with a range of mental health and chronic health problems across public and private mental health settings. She is the founder of A Mindful Way, an evidence-based digital sleep improvement program, delivering mindfulness meditation training and cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. She educates and supervises health professionals, provides workplace training, and presents at international conferences on the topic of Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Insomnia.
Giselle holds a Doctor of Psychology from La Trobe University, Melbourne, and is a fellow of the College of Clinical Psychology with the Australian Psychological Society.
Associate Professor Melinda Jackson
Monash University
Mastering Mindfulness-Based CBT-I: Advanced Techniques for Insomnia Treatment
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM.....
A/Prof Melinda L. Jackson is an academic and sleep psychologist, and heads the Sleep, Cognition and Mood Laboratory in the School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University. Her research examines the impact of sleep loss and sleep disorders on cognition, mood, and brain health, and explores the impact of different treatment approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia and mindfulness, to address sleep issues in community and clinical populations.
Dr Allie Peters
Mastering Mindfulness-Based CBT-I: Advanced Techniques for Insomnia Treatment
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM.....
Allie has been registered as a Psychologist since 2007 and has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector. She worked as a sleep scientist at the Austin Hospital and as a psychologist in general private practice and several sleep clinics (Melbourne Sleep Disorders Centre, St Vincents’ Hospital Sleep Clinic & Monash University Healthy Sleep Clinic). She has been involved in treatment development and evaluation, as well as a presenter and group facilitator. Her PhD research examined mindfulness-based approaches to sleep difficulties.
