Upcoming Course Dates and Descriptions
Following a government directive all our face to face groups are cancelled at this point. Our booking system is currently not working, to book a space on one of our virtual courses, please call us on 01793 836836.
We currently offer the following courses:
If you have any questions about any of the courses and their content; please ask any of the course facilitators who run the sessions.
Courses can either be booked over the phone or via our website. Our admin team are available weekdays, 9am-5pm and will be happy to assist you in booking on to your chosen course and answer any questions you may have.
Anger Awareness
This free, four-week course is aimed towards people who wish to learn about the triggers to anger and ways to handle their angry feelings. It aims to help you stay in charge of your actions by managing strong feelings in a positive way. It will include some relaxation techniques.
Topics covered include:
- Understanding anger
- Ways to help manage unhelpful behaviour
- Managing difficult thoughts, expectations and triggers
- Developing helpful behaviours to deal with the causes of anger
Please note that we recommend attending the Stress and Mood Management course before beginning this course.
Bereavement Support Group
Topics covered include:
- Understanding the natural responses to bereavement
- Introduction to some helpful techniques in adjusting to life without the person who has died
- Some helpful ideas on managing difficult and sometimes overwhelming emotions
Although you may feel you need support after your recent bereavement, please note that this particular course is aimed towards people who have been bereaved after a period of six months or longer. This is because often the feelings are still very raw and strong during the early weeks. Support is available through Cruse Bereavement Care or you can make an appointment to see one of our Practitioners at your GP surgery during this period.
Please note also this course is intended for those who are grieving the loss of human life and is not suitable for other kinds of loss e.g. pets. Support for grieving for the loss of pets is available through Blue Cross Bereavement Support.
Boosting Self Esteem
Topics covered include:
- Introduction to self-esteem
- Understanding how our beliefs and expectations impact self-esteem
- Managing difficult thoughts
- Developing self-compassion
- Managing social anxiety
- Helpful ways to move forward
Please note that we recommend attending the Stress and Mood Management course before beginning this course.
Building Confidence
Topics covered include:
- Understanding what confidence is
- Developing strategies to help build confidence
- Overcoming some of the barriers to confidence
- Helpful ways to move forward
Please note that we recommend attending the Stress and Mood Management course before beginning this course.
CALM: An Introduction to Mindfulness
Topics covered include:
- The skills of mindfulness, concentration and relaxation
- Techniques for applying mindfulness to the breath, the body, thoughts, feelings and everyday life
- Practical tips for practicing mindfulness
- Dealing with difficulties that arise in practicing
Some of the practices are traditionally done lying down (though you can do them in a chair if you prefer) so it is a good idea to bring something comfortable to lie on. You are also advised to bring two or three cushions, and wear loose clothing.
Developing Assertiveness
Topics covered include:
- Learn about different communication styles
- Understand how to turn aggression into assertiveness
- Learn simple assertiveness techniques to use in everyday life
- Improve communication in your relationships
- Practice asking for what you want
- Learn how to say ‘no’
The course is run in a group format and will be a mixture of taught input, discussion and practice in small groups, but people can participate as much or as little as they choose to.
Effective Communication
This free course looks at how and why we feel misunderstood and what we can do to communicate better in different situations.
Topics covered include:
- Considering the importance of communicating our needs
- How and why communication styles can vary
- Effective communication skills
- Barriers to communicating effectively
Feel-Write Reading and Reflective Writing Group
Feel-Write Reading and Reflective Writing Group
A creative and reflective space for people who have used LIFT psychology
- A space to be creative, be inspired & inspire others
- An opportunity to reflect on words, images and self-help books that help you through your ups and downs
- Meetings are monthly at Swindon Central Library (3rd Floor meeting room)
- Tea and Coffee provided
Next dates are:
Following a government directive all our face to face groups are cancelled at this point.
All sessions run 1pm – 2.30pm
Healthy Habits for Body and Mind
Topics covered include:
- Understanding change and building motivation
- Understanding what healthy, balanced eating really looks like
- Managing unhelpful thoughts and feelings
- Setting goals and ways to gain important support
- Understanding ‘head hunger’ and dealing with cravings
- Practical strategies for moving forward
Healthy Mind (16-19 year olds)
Topics covered include:
- Understanding anxiety and general stress (including exam stress)
- Techniques for managing difficult thoughts
- Managing the expectations we set ourselves and others
- Managing anger and techniques for communicating assertively
- Introduction to self-esteem
- Helpful ways to put techniques into practice
LIFT Your Voice
Following a government directive all our face to face groups are cancelled at this point.
Have you received a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes, Coronary Heart Disease or COPD? If so you’re are welcome to join our singing and wellbeing group – LIFT Your Voice.
Research shows that taking part in a singing group can have beneficial effects on health and wellbeing.
There are no requirements to be able to sing. No pressure, come along and give it a go. Informal and relaxed environment. The group will be run by a singing tutor who has experience working with health conditions, and a member of the LIFT Psychology team.
To find out more and book your place, please call 01793 835710.
If you have any questions or would like to talk to someone about the group please call LIFT Psychology on 01793 835710 and ask for Marianne.
Living Well after Cardiac Arrest
Surviving a cardiac arrest can take people time to adjust to. Talking things through in a supportive environment can help people move forward in their lives. This free course aims to give you the space and skills to help with this. It will teach several techniques, including: the adjustment process managing difficult thoughts and feelings
Living Well After Stroke
Topics covered include:
- Understanding stroke and its impact
- Prioritising, planning and pacing activities
- Dealing with difficult thoughts
- Communicating feelings and needs in helpful ways
Living Well with COPD
Dealing with breathlessness can be stressful and frustrating. This free workshop for people with COPD helps understand the things that can make it better and worse. It looks at ways to manage breathlessness and cope with the common difficult thoughts and feelings that can go with it. The session focuses on ways of remaining positive and maximising your wellbeing.
This is a taught session, run in a group format, so although there will be some group discussion it is up to you how much or how little you choose to take part.
We are currently able to offer this course to people registered with a Wiltshire GP. Please give us a call on 01793 835710/1 to book a place.
Living Well with Coronary Heart Disease
This free workshop is for people living with a cardiac condition (including people who have had a heart attack, angina, heart surgery, and heart failure). It will teach skills and techniques to adjust and better cope emotionally. This is based on a psychological approach called Cognitive Behavioural Theory (CBT), which has been shown to be helpful for many people with cardiac problems.
Topics covered include:
- Understanding the impact of physical health on emotional wellbeing
- The process of adjustment and acceptance
- Techniques for managing difficult thoughts
- Communication skills
- Helpful ways to move forward
This is a taught session, run in a group format, so although there will be some group discussion it is up to you how much or how little you choose to take part.
We are currently able to offer this course to people registered with a Wiltshire GP. Please give us a call on 01793 835710/1 to book a place.
Living Well with Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes can be a difficult condition to manage. This free, one session workshop aims to help people understand more about the condition, including some common traps that people can fall into when living with it. The focus is on the helpful things that people can do to better manage the condition and reduce the risk of complications associated with it.
Topics covered include:
- Understanding diabetes and its impact
- Setting important and realistic goals
- Dealing with difficult thoughts
- Communicating feelings and needs in helpful ways
We are currently able to offer this course to people registered with a Wiltshire GP. Please give us a call on 01793 835710/1 to book a place.
Living Well with Fatigue
Topics covered include:
- Understanding chronic fatigue and its impact
- Prioritising, pacing and planning activities
- Managing expectations
- Dealing with unhelpful thoughts
- Helpful ways to communicate feelings and needs
Living Well with Fibromyalgia
Topics covered include:
- Understanding fibromyalgia and its impact
- Prioritising, pacing and planning activities
- Managing expectations
- Dealing with difficult thoughts
Living Well with Long Term Pain
Topics covered include:
- Understanding long term pain and its impact
- Prioritising, pacing and planning activities
- Managing expectations
- Dealing with unhelpful thoughts
- Helpful ways to communicate feelings and needs
Living Well with Parkinson's
It will consider the impact of the condition on people’s emotional well-being, including ways to adjust and proactively cope. The skills and techniques discussed are based on the psychological approach Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).
It is a taught course run in a group format – although there will be some group discussion it is up to you how much or how little you choose to take part.
Managing Multiple Sclerosis
This is a taught course, run in a group format, so although there will be some group discussion it is up to you how much or how little your choose to take part.
Managing Stress in the Workplace
Topics covered in this course include:
- Understanding stress and identifying key stressors at work
- Techniques for managing difficult thoughts
- Understanding employment law, and both employees and employers rights
- Methods for improved communication with employers
- Techniques for problem solving, and helpful ways to put these into practice
- Understanding stress and identifying key stressors at work
The course is run in a group format and will be a mixture of taught input, discussion and practice in small groups, but people can participate as much or as little as they choose to.
Find out more and book this course
Mindfulness Practice Group
Have you completed a CALM, MBCT or MARS course? Are you finding it a struggle to keep up the practices you learned on the course? We meet at Old Town Surgery for practice and discussion around any aspect of mindfulness and well-being. Please feel free to bring your own blankets, cushions and anything else you require.
Next dates are:
Following a government directive all our face to face groups are cancelled at this point.
All sessions are 6.30-8pm. No need to book, please feel free to come along on the day.
Mindfulness & Self-Compassion
This free 6 week course introduces you to the theory and practice of mindful self-compassion. The aim is to develop a kinder and more compassionate relationship to ourselves and our difficulties, in order to reduce the suffering caused by self-blame, shame and self-critical thoughts.
It is a taught course, run in a group format. Although there may be some group discussion, you can choose how much or how little you take part. However, it is important that you are willing to practice the skills taught in between sessions.
You can sample the ideas and practices in the course here;
Find out more and book this course
Mindfulness for Health and Wellbeing
Mindfulness means paying attention to what’s happening in the present moment in the mind, body and external environment, through using a range of simple meditation practices which aim to bring a greater awareness of thinking, feeling and reactions.
There is evidence that this can reduce the impact of conditions like those above and many others, increase satisfaction and engagement with life and lead to better health outcomes.
Please note this course involves meditation practices of up to 40 minutes duration and you should be willing and able to practice on most days between sessions. If you think this may be too intensive the C.A.L.M. course offers a gentler introduction to mindfulness practice.
For more information on mindfulness, the practices the course is built around and the evidence of its benefits see http://franticworld.com
Mindful Way through Anxiety and Depression
This free course introduces Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy [MBCT] as a means of managing or overcoming long term anxiety and depression. It involves practicing bringing awareness to our breath, body, sensations, thoughts and feelings in order to develop qualities of awareness, stability, acceptance and self-compassion which have been shown to be helpful for long-term anxiety and depression.
To access this course you should already have some experience of practicing mindfulness either from an introductory course like our C.A.L.M. course or similar, or from your own practice with books, websites or apps.
For more information on mindfulness, the practices the course is built around and the evidence of its benefits see these websites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://mbct.com
http://franticworld.com
Course normally run for 6 weekly sessions on Tuesday afternoons 2:00pm – 4:00pm at Old Town Surgery, Swindon.
The course involves a significant element of mindfulness practice both in session and in between sessions at home, and it is important that you can commit to this.
Please note this course is not direct access as it is not suitable for all patients – please register your interest by contacting the admin team on 01793 836836 . You may be contacted for a discussion of the suitability of this course for you. If the course is appropriate you will be sent details of the next available course.
Moving On from Separation and Divorce
Topics covered include:
- Understanding difficult emotions
- Managing difficult changes and loss
- Helpful ways to move forward
Overcoming Low Mood and Depression
Topics covered include:
- Understanding low mood and our experiences
- How our behaviours can impact low mood and depression
- How our thoughts and beliefs can sometimes contribute to low mood
- Developing self-compassion
- How to cope with our feelings using a range of relaxation and mindfulness techniques
Please note that we recommend attending the Stress and Mood Management course before beginning this course.
Overcoming Panic, Anxiety and Worry
Topics covered include:
- Understanding how and why anxiety problems develop and are maintained
- The meaning and causes of the physical symptoms of anxiety and how to cope with them using a range of relaxation and mindfulness techniques
- How our thoughts and beliefs can sometimes contribute to anxiety problems and how to reduce their impact
- How to turn unproductive worry into helpful problem-solving
- How to develop your own plan for overcoming anxiety in a step-by-step manner
Overcoming Sleep Difficulties
Topics covered include:
- Understanding theories of sleep and what happens in the body when we sleep
- Understanding the relationship between sleep and other conditions
- Basic strategies for improving the quality of sleep
- Managing difficult thoughts and expectations
- Advanced strategies for improving the quality of sleep
Stress and Mood Management
This free, four-week course introduces Cognitive Behavioural Theory (CBT) as a method of effectively reducing difficult emotions such as anxiety, depression and anger.
Topics covered include:
- Understanding anxiety and general stress
- Techniques for managing difficult thoughts
- Managing the expectations we set ourselves and others
- Managing anger and techniques for communicating assertively
- Helpful ways to put techniques into practice
Stress Workshop for Men
We’ll cover:
- How life stresses can overload the brain’s coping mechanisms.
- How men are programmed to cope with stress, and how sometimes these instincts can lead to more trouble.
- How to recognise and manage feelings of depression, anger and anxiety.
- How to improve communication in relationships.
- The MAGIC 5: how to maintain your brain in good condition with regular servicing.
Please note this course is intended for male participants only.
Walking Group ‘Step by Step’
Following a government directive all our face to face groups are cancelled at this point.
- Would you like to become more physically active?
- Do you enjoy being out in nature?
- Would you like to meet new people?
If you have used any part of LIFT Psychology before then you are eligible to come along to Step by Step, the
The group go for a 40-60 min walk from our base at Old Town surgery (2nd floor), and come back to refreshments (tea/coffee and biscuits) afterwards.
The group is led by Health Walk Leaders and will go ahead come rain or shine, so please bring suitable clothing and footwear!
No need to book on, just turn up on the day! You don’t need to commit to a certain number of walks, you can just come along when you wish.
If you have any further questions, please call us on (01793) 836836.
Wellbeing After Baby
Topics covered include:
- Coping with difficult thoughts and feelings
- Setting goals and managing daily activities
- Helpful ways to reduce stress
- Useful techniques to communicate with others