Anxiety Management for Palliative & Progressive Conditions 29-30 Jan 2026

A two-day in-person event at The LifeCentre, Manchester on 29th & 30th January 2026

Lunch and refreshments included

Anxiety affects people's bodies and minds. It affects concentration and decision-making and can lead to psychological difficulties such as depression. Patients and families may mask anxiety due to fear of 'mental health' labelling. The physical effects of anxiety may result in further treatments or investigations for symptoms including nausea, bowel problems or pain.

Due to its complexity, anxiety can affect performance and participation, lowering life quality in every area. Even small amounts of anxiety can reduce social interaction and engagement in meaningful and rewarding activities.

Many health professionals recognise anxiety but lack knowledge or confidence of when or how to intervene or refer on. Additionally, a common misconception is an expectation that it is normal for people living with palliative or progressive conditions to have anxiety. For these reasons anxiety may be left unexplored, or treated only with Medic*tion.

This two-day course is suitable for health care professionals who may already have a basic knowledge of anxiety management; are likely to see patients more than once; and provide goal led interventions. Whilst this course has an emphasis on palliative care and progressive conditions, much of the knowledge and skills learned on this course are transferable to most patient groups where anxiety is a feature.

This small-group face-to-face learning opportunity provides an environment which supports assimilation of this emotive subject.

In addition the 2 days aims are to provide:

• Appreciation of how anxiety affects and activates both mind and body systems, in the wider context of palliative care and progressive conditions
• Better understanding of factors which can cause and perpetuate anxiety within these patient groups
• Insight into how understanding anxiety can improve your clinical interventions
• Consideration of ways to assessing anxiety and identify appropriate goals and interventions
• A range of practical and effective techniques for reducing and managing anxiety
• Ideas to increase your confidence and effectiveness in your role, and to help build resilience into your own life
• Opportunity to network with and learn from other healthcare professionals and their experiences.

The trainer:

Mara Sheldon is an experienced palliative care occupational therapist. She has worked in a variety of environments, including community, hospice and hospital-based care. Mara has created and facilitated training and education sessions for over 35 years.

Some feedback from previous anxiety management courses:

• “A fantastic trainer with calm and well-paced delivery”

• “The content was excellent and gave a good overview and different tools/tips/techniques to try. Was also really insightful looking at my own anxiety”

• “The combination of training methods made it varied and interesting”

• “For me personally, it was pitched very well, reinforced some things I already do, but also gave me some new ideas. I have learnt a lot”

• “It really has been great [using the techniques] with my son. His Grandfather is very poorly at the moment and we have been able to manage [my son’s] emotions with calm and focused talking. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the skills you taught me”

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