Sleep, Circadian Rhythms and Mental Health Workshop

November 6th & 7th, 2017 at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Sleep and circadian rhythms are increasingly being implicated in the development and course of mental health disorders and play vital roles in general health and well-being. The goals of this comprehensive two-day workshop are to provide an introduction to the fundamentals of sleep and circadian rhythms and their role in mental health and well-being, review the most common sleep disorders and their treatment, and describe mental health treatment approaches based on sleep and circadian principles. 

         

The workshop is designed for mental health providers across multiple disciplines (e.g., nurses, psychologists, social workers, mental health specialists) who are interested in learning about the role that sleep and circadian rhythms play in mental health and well-being.

 

The workshop will be delivered through a series of talks and interactive components, allowing plenty of time for discussion. It will run for two days, with lunch provided and a dinner on the first night.

The course is being offered  jointly through the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine and the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at Oxford University. The workshop will be led by Dr. Phil Gehrman, Associate Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at Penn, and Dr. Bryony  Sheaves, a Research Clinical Psychologist at Oxford.

Please note Dr. Gehrman has no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Dr. Sheaves has received consultancy fees from Big Health Ltd.

The workshop will cover a variety of topics relevant to sleep, circadian rhythms, and mental health, including:

  • Models of sleep and circadian regulation
  • Fundamentals of circadian rhythms
  • Hyperarousal
  • Assessment of sleep and circadian rhythms
  • Diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea
  • Narcolepsy, Restless Leg Syndrome, Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, and parasomnias
  • Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Insomnia (CBT-I)
  • Adapting CBT-I for individuals with mental health diagnoses
  • Clinical chronobiology
  • Daytime interventions
  • Pharmacotherapy for sleep and circadian disturbance
  • Imagery rehearsal for nightmares and psychosis
  • Case conceptualization and treatment planning

Learning Objectives. Upon completion of this series, participants should be able to:

  1. Discuss the fundamentals of sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances in patients with mental health diagnoses.
  2. Improve patient outcomes through identification and treatment of sleep disturbances.
  3. Flexibly adapt and apply cognitive behavioral treatment for insomnia to patients with mental health conditions
  4. Explain and describe advances in clinical chronobiology and their applications in mental health disorders
  5. Describe the role that concomitant sleep disorders play in the development and course of mental health conditions
  6. Explain the role of hyperarousal in insomnia and comorbid mental health conditions and apply behavioral strategies to reduce hyperarousal at bedtime.
  7. Discuss the ways in which sleep apnea interacts with insomnia and affects the onset and course of mental health conditions such as depression
  8. Apply daytime interventions to the treatment of sleep disturbance to improve overall health and wellbeing.
  9. Describe the ways in which pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy can be applied to the treatment of various sleep disorders.
  10. Describe the rationale for imagery rehearsal in the treatment of nightmares and psychosis

Places on the course are limited. The deadline for registration is November 1st, 2017. The course fee is $400 and includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Monday, and breakfast and lunch on Tuesday. Continuing education certificate costs are included in the course fee. A reduced fee of $300 is available for trainees. Please provide proof of trainee status when registering, which can be emailed to bolande@mail.med.upenn.edu.

Click here to register online.

There are a number of hotels within a short distance to the workshop site, including:

The Inn at Penn
  • 3600 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
  • 0.6 miles from the workshop
  • 215-222-0200 
The Sheraton Philadelphia University City
  • 3549 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
  • 0.6 miles from the workshop
  • 215-387-8000
Homewood Suites University City
  • 4109 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
  • 1.0 miles from the workshop
  • 215-382-1111
Continuing Education Information

The Department of Psychiatry University of Pennsylvania is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.  The Department of Psychiatry University of Pennsylvania maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This workshop carries 12.5 CE credits.

 

Special Needs Statement

If special arrangements are required for an individual with a disability to attend this meeting, please contact Elaine Boland at bolande@mail.med.upenn.edu so we can make the necessary arrangements no later than two weeks prior to the lecture date.

 

Nondiscrimination statement

The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.  The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a Vietnam Era Veteran or disabled veteran in the administration of educational policies, programs or activities, admission policies; scholarship and loan awards; athletic or other administered programs or employment.  Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to the Executive Director, Office of Affirmative Action, 1133 Blockley Hall, Philadelphia, PA  19104-6021 or 215/898-6993 (Voice) or 215/898-7803 (TDD).

 

Cancellation and Refund Policy Statement

The Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, reserves the right to cancel or postpone any course due to any unforeseen circumstances.  In the event of cancellation or postponement, the Department of Psychiatry will refund any registration fee but it is not responsible for any related costs, charges, or any expenses to participants, including cancellation costs incurred by airlines/travel agencies. In order to process refunds for course withdrawals, written notification of cancellation must be received two weeks prior to the lecture (subject to a service fee).  No refunds will be granted thereafter.