The Brain-Gut Connection: Evidence-Based Psychological Strategies for Treatment of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults

Wednesday, February 1, 2023, 7:45 AM - Friday, February 3, 2023, 4:00 PM, ,

Many clients presenting to mental health providers experience gastrointestinal symptoms including chronic pain, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis), and feeding concerns including avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).  Children, adolescents, and young adults with chronic GI problems often miss school, have greater healthcare utilization, and have parents who miss more workdays; they also have higher rates of depression and anxiety than youth with other chronic diseases.  Many gastroenterologists routinely refer patients for mental health services, and while mental health providers may be well-versed in treating mental health concerns they may be less familiar with the application of psychological interventions for specific GI symptoms.

This skills-focused workshop will educate mental health providers on the most recent research about the brain-gut connection and outline evidence-based treatments for clients presenting with a variety of GI symptoms.  Using lecture, clinical examples, and skill-building activities this virtual workshop will equip clinicians to work with clients to improve quality of life and reduce gastrointestinal symptoms.

Course Format

This three-day virtual workshop will equip clinicians to work with clients to improve their quality of life and reduce gastrointestinal symptoms using lectures, clinical examples, and skill-building activities. 

Participants may register for the full 3-day workshop (All levels), just the Beginner/Intermediate (Days 1 & 2), or just Advanced Psychogastroenterology (Day 3) session. If registering for only the Advanced course, participants should have previously completed the Beginner/Intermediate course (last offered in 2021) and/or have two years of experience working with GI patients. 

Course Content Includes: 

•  Introduction to GI Psychology 
• Overview of GI Physiology and Common Testing & Procedures
• Explaining the Brain-Gut Connection: Language and Metaphors
• Assessment & Case Conceptualization 
• Feedback, Treatment Planning, and Implementation
• Implementing Interventions for GI Disorders
• All new Advanced Psychogastroenterology Workshop
  

Who Should Attend?

• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Licensed Mental Health Counselors
• Trainees

1. Recognize GI physiology and basic pathophysiology of Disorders of the Brain-Gut Interaction (DGBI).
2. Recognize commonly diagnosed pediatric gastrointestinal conditions and describe the biopsychosocial conceptualization and treatment model for these disorders.
3. Apply evidence-based psychological treatments for the management of GI-related symptoms.
4. Recall specific GI-focused questions that can be incorporated into the psychological assessment process and the language/metaphors to utilize when discussing the biopsychosocial treatment approach.
5. Identify evidence-based psychological treatment strategies for the management of pain and other GI-related symptoms.
6. Recognize feeding behaviors and difficulties across developmental stages and differentiate picky eating versus avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) versus other eating disorders.
7. Identify and apply evidence-based psychological treatment strategies for feeding difficulties including ARFID.
8. Recognize challenges associated with a lack of patient/family willingness to buy-in to the use of psychological strategies for the treatment of GI conditions.

To register, please click the register tab above and complete the form. If this is your first time registering for a course at Boston Children's Hospital, you will need to create an account. Please use an email address that you check frequently, as it will be used to send important information about the course. 

Registration Types For Professionals	Deadline	Fee
Beginner/Intermediate ONLY Days 1 & 2	Early Bird: 1/6/2023 1/31/2023	$175.00 $200.00
Advanced Topics ONLY Day 3	Early Bird: 1/6/2023 1/31/2023	$75.00 $100.00
Beginner/Intermediate + Advanced Topics Days 1, 2, & 3	Early Bird: 1/6/2023  1/31/2023	$275.00 $300.00
Registration Types For Trainees	Deadline	Fee
Beginner/Intermediate ONLY Days 1 & 2	1/31/2023	$100.00
Beginner/Intermediate + Advanced Days 1, 2, & 3	1/31/2023	$150.00

* International Rates available for participants from developing countries

Participants may register for the full 3-day workshop (All levels), just the Beginner/Intermediate (Days 1 & 2), or just Advanced Psychogastroenterology (Day 3) session. 

Advanced Course Only Pre-Requisites
In general, participants who want to do the Advanced Course should also plan to register for the full course, since they are designed to build on one another.  Individuals who wish to apply for only the Advanced Course should email confirmation that they have met both the following requirements: 

• Psychogastroenterology Training (1 of the following): 
             - Previous Brain-Gut Connection Workshop or
             - 5+ Rome Foundation GastroPsych Courses 
• Clinical Experience: 2+ years experience doing CBT/ACT with pediatric GI populations

Pre-registration is required. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email with a registration receipt. Course access instructions will be sent 24 hours prior to the course launch. Please use an email you check frequently to ensure that you receive all of this important information. 

If you have questions or need assistance with registration, please direct all inquiries to cmedepartment@childrens.harvard.edu.  For program-related questions: Contact Amy Hale, PhD at Amy.Hale@childrens.harvard.edu or 617-919-9982

 

Disclosure Policy
Boston Children's Hospital adheres to all ACCME Essential Areas, Standards, and Policies. It is Boston Children’s policy that those who have influenced the content of a CME activity (e.g. planners, faculty, authors, reviewers and others) disclose all relevant financial relationships with commercial entities so that Boston Children's may identify and resolve any conflicts of interest prior to the activity. These disclosures will be provided in the activity materials along with disclosure of any commercial support received for the activity. Additionally, faculty members have been instructed to disclose any limitations of data and unlabeled or investigational uses of products during their presentations.

Psychologists and Social Workers registered for all three days can earn 18 CE credits. Those participating in Days 1 & 2 (Beginner/Intermediate) can earn 12 CE credits, and those participating in Day 3 (Advanced Psychogastroenterology) can earn 6 credits. 

Non-Physician (Attendance) (18.00 hours), American Psychology Association (APA) Psychology Credits (18.00 hours), Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Social Work Credits (18.00 hours)