Sasha Priddy and Jessica Gillespie (Assistant Psychologists) delivered their poster presentation which outlined a new 10 week group set up within the hospital by Dr Sonia Oyervides (Clinical Psychologist). The group focused on developing emotion regulation skills as a way to manage addictive behaviours.
Results demonstrated a reduction in craving and obsessing for substances, as well as improvements in self-belief, social functioning, attitudes, self-worth, trust levels, self-management and outlook on life. Whilst developing emotion regulation skills was a focus of the group material, we did not see a sustained improvement in self-reported control over emotions. This may be explained by participants developing a greater awareness of skills to emotionally self-regulate, and thus greater insight of instances where these skills are absent.
Professionals working in a range of addiction services attended the conference alongside relatives and carers of those with addictions. The presentation of the research generated interest amongst those who attended and their experience provided further areas for reflection on how to develop the group further.
This research will also be presented at the Division of Clinical Psychology Annual Conference in Cardiff from 17 to 18 January 2018.
For further information please contact Dr Sonia Oyervides, Clinical Psychologist at Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke by emailing [email protected].