C entre for

CI linical
nterventions
Psychotherapy Research Training

Cognitive Behavioural Group

Programme
For
Bipolar Affective Disorder

Louella Lim
Paula Nathan

Centre for Clinical Interventions

Psychotherapy Research Training
Perth, Western Australia
 C entre for
CI linical
nterventions
Psychotherapy Research Training

Programme Overview
SESSION SESSION CONTENT HANDOUTS WORKSHEETS/FORMS
Session 1: Icebreaker HO 1-1: Welcome & Programme WS 1-1: Personal Coat of Arms
Overview of Bipolar Symptoms of acute episodes of mania & depression Overview WS 1-2: Symptom Summary
Disorder Epidemiology & Diagnosis of bipolar disorder HO 1-2: Bipolar Disorder Worksheet
Stress vulnerability (genetic/familial mechanisms;
role of stress & life events)
Symptom Monitoring
Session 2: Basic information on brain chemistry & functions HO 2-1: Medication Treatment
Medication Treatment Principles of effective medication management HO 2-2: Mood Stabilisers
for Bipolar Disorder Types of medications for bipolar disorder HO 2-3: Other Medications
(conducted by Management of side effects

Session 3: Life Charts (overview of life events, illness episodes, HO 3-1: Symptom Monitoring WS 3-1: Life Charts
Symptom Monitoring for treatment, etc.) WS 3-2: Early Warning Signs
Episode Prevention Identifying sub-syndromal symptoms & early WS 3-3: A Plan of Action
warning signs
Developing a plan to prevent a full blown episode of
mania or depression
Session 4: Symptoms of depression & changes in behaviour HO 4-1: The Depression Cycle WS 4-1: Pleasurable Activities
Behavioural Strategies The Depression Cycle HO 4-2: Pleasurable Activities Schedule
for Managing & A Balanced Lifestyle Catalogue WS 4-2: Weekly Activity Schedule
Preventing Depression Scheduling pleasurable activities
Session 5: Influence of Thoughts on Feelings (ABCs) HO 5-1: The ABCs of How We WS 5-1: Making the B-C Connection
Cognitive Strategies for Feelings & Thoughts associated with Depression Think & Feel WS 5-2: Feelings & Thoughts
Managing & Preventing HO 5-2: The Feelings Catalogue Associated with Depression
Depression (Part 1) Thought Diary 1

Cognitive Behavioural Group Therapy for Bipolar Disorder

 C entre for
CI linical
nterventions
Psychotherapy Research Training

SESSION SESSION CONTENT HANDOUTS WORKSHEETS/FORMS

Session 6: Unhealthy thinking patterns & styles HO 6-1: Unhealthy Thinking Patterns Identifying Unhealthy Thinking
Cognitive Strategies for Disputation & Detective Work (D) - Challenging & Styles When Depressed Patterns
Managing & Preventing automatic thoughts & unhealthy thinking styles HO 6-2: Moving on to D Thought Diary 2
Depression (Part 2)
Session 7: Disputation & Detective Work - More practice HO 7-1: Now for the E WS 7-1: E Effect/End Result
Cognitive Strategies for Developing Balanced Thoughts (E) Thought Diary 3
Managing & Preventing
Depression (Part 3)
Session 8: Developing balanced thoughts - more practice HO 8-1: Integrating Healthy Thoughts WS 8-1: Integrating the E
Cognitive Strategies for Integrating balanced thoughts & Beliefs Thought Diary 3
Managing & Preventing
Depression (Part 4)
Session 9: Feelings & thoughts associated with hypomania HO 9-1: Cognitive Changes in Mania WS 9-1: The Balance Sheet
Cognitive Strategies for & mania HO 9-2: Unhealthy Thinking Patterns
Preventing Mania Unhealthy thinking patterns & styles & Styles when Manic
Challenging automatic thoughts associated with
hypomania & mania
Developing & integrating balanced thoughts
Session 10: Guiding principles to behavioural strategies for HO 10-1: Behavioural Strategies for WS 10-1: Case Study Susan
Behavioural Strategies prevention of mania Preventing Mania WS 10-2: Organising the Ideas List
for Preventing Mania Minimising sleep disruption Weekly Activity Schedule
Activity monitoring & scheduling
Organising the Ideas List
Session 11: Assessment of psychosocial functioning, coping HO 11-1: Coping with Psychosocial WS 11-1: Coping with Psychosocial
Coping with resources & barriers to effective coping Stressors Stressors
Psychosocial Stressors Effective Ways of Coping
Session 12: Review of key strategies for depression & mania WS 12-1: Self-Management Plan
Putting Them All & problem solving WS 12-2: Goal Setting
Together Develop self-management plan
Set short-term goals

Cognitive Behavioural Group Therapy for Bipolar Disorder