BT16 Short Course 34 - Utilizing Creative Strategies for Obtaining Successful Treatment Outcomes with Bipolar Spectrum Disorder - Suzanne Alexandra Black, PsyD

Description: Bipolar disorder, especially type II, is often misdiagnosed, undertreated, and deeply stigmatized. In this candid and clinically rich session, Suzanne Black blends personal disclosure with decades of experience to explore nuanced assessment, differential diagnosis, mood tracking, psychotherapy strategies, and evolving biological research. She offers practical tools for working with mood instability while emphasizing therapeutic alliance, psychoeducation, and helping patients develop a livable narrative with, rather than against, the condition.

Syllabus Description: This session will cover defining and treating the complexity of Bipolar Affective Spectrum Disorder. Particular attention will be paid to common misconceptions about the psychiatric condition, how clinicians can become stuck in their treatment approaches, and how creative, brief therapy interventions, including the use of Ericksonian hypnosis, can be utilized to assist in obtaining treatment goals. Using the latest findings in neuroscience, this session will present effective and successful methods to manage and resolve treatment challenges in dealing with this highly misunderstood diagnosis/ psychiatric condition.

Educational Objectives:

1. Define Bipolar Affective Spectrum Disorder and differentially discern its symptoms from other psychiatric conditions.
2. Identify what are some of the common impasses to treating Bipolar Affective Spectrum Disorder.
3. Identify and utilize effective and creative treatment strategies for short - term management of the condition.
4. Communicate to your clients to de-stigmatize their notion of Bipolar Affective Spectrum Disorder.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*