Denial and Self-deception workshop
This workshop will focus on the use of denial as a defensive strategy against emotional pain in everyday life and in particular when pain relates to dealing with psychological trauma and addiction issues. An important goal of this workshop is to normalise and validate denial so we can help ourselves and clients recognise that it is a normal part of being human.
Participants will learn how to identify and manage denial patterns and the art of self-deception in order to be more effective in helping clients to see theirs. They will be encouraged to explore the concept of psychological defences and how they developed in order to better understand the function of denial and self-deception in making us feel safe. Special emphasis will be placed on building a therapeutic relationship with clients that is sensitive to the presence and function of defences, yet nonetheless seeks to engage with denial and self-deception in order to explore how defences can limit insight and leave us stuck in repetitive destructive patterns.
Presented by Kevin Fehin, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist. Kevin is currently employed in the Adult Mental Health Service with the HSE. Among other qualifications he holds a Masters in Psychoanalytic Studies.
Suitable for: Psychologists, Mental health and Addiction Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Nurse Practitioners, Youth Workers, Social Care Workers
Members of The Psychological Society of Ireland can earn learning credits by completing this workshop and there is other accreditation pending.
"Kevin has a genius way of communicating deeply difficult psychological constructs. Loved his latest workshop on Denial and Self-deception! Thanks to The Learning Curve for facilitating this."
Antoinette Rossiter, Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Antoinette Rossiter Psychology Services
May 2024
“The pace of delivery and the explanations helped me to understand the concepts. Kevin is a very gracious presenter and deals with questions kindly and carefully. I felt very at ease in this session and I felt like I could ask anything.”
Dr. Niamh Nestor, Student Adviser, UCD Veterinary Sciences
May 2024
Programme Duration
One day.
Programme Content
This workshop will explore how to Identify denial and everyday acts of self deception.
Psychological defence mechanisms from psychodynamic theory will be discussed and how defence mechanisms may keep us feeling safe and yet harm us.
It will include how to engage with denial and self deception in a therapeutic setting and ways to build a therapeutic relationship that can engage with defensiveness.
Learning Outcomes
Participants should have the tools to enable them to develop, build and expand their existing knowledge in relation to Denial and Self-deception, specifically:
Participants will be provided with the tools to be able to deal more effectively with clients exhibiting denial, self deception and resistance in therapy.
Participants will be provided with the tools to enable them to understand why resistance and denial occur
Participants will be provided with the tools to learn how to effectively intervene and disrupt clients’ self-deceiving patterns of behaviour.
Connect with Your Trainer
The Learning Curve Institute will distribute a unique pre-course questionnaire to each participant in order to ensure the training meets the needs of everyone in the room and is tailored to the appropriate level while also covering specific situations or scenarios as highlighted by the group.
The Learning Curve Institute also offers a bespoke post course support system whereby learners are provided with the contact details of the trainer and are free to contact him/her with any questions they may have.
Programme Certification
Participants will receive an eCertificate of Attendance entitled "Denial and Self-deception" from The Learning Curve Institute.