WHO IS THE WORKSHOP FOR?

This workshop is for health professionals who have completed the half-day workshop on Distraction and Pain Management.  The workshop builds upon the two psychologies - Personal Construct Psychology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and focuses specifically on guided imagery: theory, technique and practice.

OVERVIEW

There are a number of approaches to guided imagery including audio tapes and scripts that have been used for many years in managing pain (Broome, Lillis, McGahee, & Bates, 1992; Bullock, & Shaddy, 1993; Weydert, Shapiro, Acra, Monheim, Chambers, Ball, 2006).  The approach in this workshop is on spontaneous and imaginative storytelling as the child’s the imagery unfolds (Whitaker 1994; 2003; Zahourek, 1988).  It is child-centred (including the choice of imagery) and relies on two-way communication and interaction between the person guiding, the child and the imagery.

Participating in this workshop will consolidate previous learning on Focused Breathing and Relaxation with Mindful Distraction.  In addition, you will learn the Guided Imagery technique, which can also be combined with pharmacological approaches to managing pain.  This is largely a skills workshop with some theory in relation to practice on imagery and the top-down modulation of fear and pain. 

The skills component of this workshop focuses on: 

  • Practice in mindfulness techniques,  focused breathing and relaxation - individually and with a colleague.
  • Engaging in Guided Imagery both as the person in the imagery and guiding a colleague through a guided imagery session.
  • Putting skills into practice in a multidisciplinary approach to managing pain in children and adolescents
  • Advice on how to approach the notion of using guided imagery with children and parents.
  • Ways of maximising the efficacy of these techniques.
  • What to do if a child is distressed and losing control.

WORKSHOP PROGRAM

The half-day Guided Imagery workshop can be conducted morning or afternoon or if required, two workshops in one day.

Morning Workshop  

08.00 – 10.00     Guided Imagery Technique: theory, practice and demonstration.

Guided Imagery Cases: review and discussion of videos.

10.00 – 10.20    Tea Break

10.20 – 12.00    Small group practice in guided imagery.

Group discussion and feedback: preparing for clinical practice.

Afternoon Workshop

13.00 – 15.00     Guided Imagery Technique: theory, practice and demonstration.

Guided Imagery Cases: review and discussion of videos.

15.00 – 10.20    Tea Break

15.20 – 17.00    Small group practice in guided imagery.

Group discussion and feedback: preparing for clinical practice.

REFERERENCES                                       

Broome, M. E., Lillis, P. P., McGahee, T. W., & Bates, T. (1992). The use of distraction and imagery with children during painful procedures. Oncology Nursing Forum, 19(3), 499-502.

Bullock, E. A., & Shaddy, R. E. (1993). Relaxation and imagery techniques without sedation during right endomyocardial biopsy in pediatric heart transplant patients. Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 12(1), 59-62.

Weydert, J., Shapiro, D.. Acra, S., Monheim, C., Chambers, A., Ball, T.  (2006).  Evaluation of guided imagery as treatment for recurrent abdominal pain in children: a randomized controlled trial.  BMC Pediatrics, 6 (29). 6-29

Whitaker, B.H.  (1994).  Helping children through painful procedures: relaxation therapy with guided imagery; an adjuvant nursing intervention.  Masters thesis La Trobe University Melbourne, Australia.

Whitaker, B.H.  (2003).  The effects of distraction, relaxation and guided imagery on procedural fear and pain in children.  PhD thesis University of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.

Zahourek, R. P. (Ed.). (1988). Relaxation and imagery: Tools for therapeutic communication and intervention. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.