Anxiety Management for Palliative & Progressive Conditions, London Nov2026
About this Event
Anxiety Management for Palliative and Progressive Conditions
A two-day in-person event at The Bridge, 73 – 81 Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 0NQ on 26th - 27th November 2026
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.
Aims
To provide:
- Appreciation of how anxiety affects and activates the body, cognition, emotion and behaviour, 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 support your 'therapeutic use of self', and 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.
This small-group face-to-face learning opportunity provides an environment which supports assimilation of this emotive subject.
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”
Further details:
This practical and interactive opportunity includes an introduction into anxiety; why we have it, what causes it and what perpetuates it, and considers how people's learning styles and resilience affect their ability to cope.
We consider anxiety in the wider concept of palliative and progressive conditions, for people living with these conditions, their families and carers, and us and other healthcare professionals involved with their care.
We explore ways to identify when people are worried or anxious (since people are so good at hiding it); how anxiety affects learning and behaviour in helpful and unhelpful ways, particularly with regard to people's motivation to engage in interventions.
We acknowledge how anxiety often ends up affecting healthcare professionals and has implications for their practice; anxiety from clients and families; professionals involved with these people; and also how our own anxieties affect ourselves and others.
Throughout the 2 days we look at client examples, and a range of practical, research-based techniques which are effective for helping people manage anxiety more effectively; building on their existing skills. We also consider the powerful effect of our communication in supporting effective interaction; and how managing and understanding ourselves is key for helping others to manage anxiety effectively.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 336.57 to GBP 360.00
