Course Overview

A psychoeducational intervention (PsychoEd) for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures and post-traumatic stress disorder: A novel and accessible treatment approach

PsychoEd for PNES was adapted from a group-based psychoeducational intervention for PNES (Zaroff et al, 2004). PsychoEd for PNES was modified to be delivered individually over 12 sessions. It was one of two treatments in a randomized controlled trial in which prolonged exposure was compared to PsychoEd. It was found to be effective in treating patients with these dual diagnoses, resulting in improvements in depression and PTSD symptomatology.  The main positives of PsychoEd is that psychotherapists can work with PsychoEd without needing any formal certification and that this modality is relatively easy to follow. PsychoEd may be a useful first-line of treatment before patients are referred out for more intensive modalities.

Topics included: 
Session 1) Introduction to PNES, 2&3) Anxiety, 4&5) PTSD, 6&7) Depression and Positive Psychology, 8) Anger and assertiveness, 9) Sleep, diet, and exercise, 10) Alternative treatments, 11) Living well with PNES (work, school, family), 12) Wrapping up. The therapist teaches the patient to use the following psychological tools over the course of treatment:
- Seizure log
- Diaphragmatic breathing
- Journaling
- Guided positive imagery
- Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR)
- Autogenic training
- Body scan
- Future diary
- Gratitude exercise
- Savoring life and building self-care into daily life

Audience: Health professionals (mental health professionals including neuropsychologists, psychotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychological associates, etc.)

Learning Points: Throughout this course, you will:
• Why is psychoeducation so important in psychotherapy for PNES?
• What are the main topics covered in PsychoEd for PNES?
• What tools are taught to patients in this treatment modality?
• Is there empirical evidence for PsychoEd for PNES?
• When and who might this intervention benefit?

Course content

  1. Introduction to PsychoEd for Adults with PNES

  2. PsychoEd tools and techniques + Session 1

  3. Session 2: Anxiety

  4. Session 3: Anxiety

  5. Sessions 4–5: PTSD

  6. Sessions 6–7: Depression & Positive Psychology

About this course

  • $18.00
  • 17 lessons
  • 0.5 hours of video content

About Dr. Lorna Myers

Dr. Lorna Myers

Psychologist

Dr. Lorna Myers is the director of the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) Program in New York and New Jersey, USA. She is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist and has been working with patients who have PNES and/or epilepsy for over 20 years. Her research has been published in a number of scientific journals, she has authored professional book chapters, and presents in meetings across the US and abroad. In 2013, she wrote “Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: A Guide,” a book for patients and their caregivers. Royalties from that book are donated to Epilepsy Alliance America, a foundation that awards scholarships to adults diagnosed with PNES to help with the costs of their studies. In 2023, together with her Dr. Julia Doss, she co-authored “The Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizure Pocketbook.”

Dr. Myers is a certified prolonged exposure therapist and clinical supervisor and has pioneered the modification and use of this treatment modality for patients diagnosed with PTSD and PNES. She is also certified in integrative hypnosis.

Other interesting facts about her is that she is fluent in English and Spanish, and her other main research interest is in multicultural topics including treatment of bilingual and bicultural (or monocultural Hispanic) patients and the study of neuropsychological measures for Spanish-speaking patients evaluated in the US.