Virtual LEAP (Listen-Empathize-Agree-Partner®) Training

NAMI Southwest CT will host a virtual LEAP® training workshop. LEAP (Listen-Empathize-Agree-Partner®) is an evidence-based program that teaches you how to create alliances with people struggling with serious mental illness that lead to treatment and recovery.

Based on the book I Am Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help!, the interactive training will take place from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm on Saturday, May 15, 2021 and is designed for family caregivers as well as mental healthcare professionals and peer-support specialists.

The workshop is hosted by the Southwest CT affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and is free and open to the public. To register for the virtual course, sign up here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rcOytqTsvHtPKoPXZUWF-7VdOE7gtE1kc

Participants will learn to:
* Understand the difference between anosognosia — a debilitating symptom that occurs in 50% of individuals with serious mental illness — and “denial” of mental illness.
* Use evidence-based approaches, set aside psychoeducation and logical arguments, and instead focus entirely on developing a relationship with the mentally ill person so s/he feels respected, not judged and trusts the other person’s opinion that treatment would be beneficial to reaching personal goals.
* Name the most effective forms of frontline treatments and pharmacotherapy on improving insight for person with anosognosia.
* Preserve and build on relationships when disrupted by disagreements, paranoia, involuntary treatment, etc.
* Reduce anger, paranoia, and quickly gain cooperation and compliance.
* Collaborate with the mentally ill person to work towards common goals.
* Identify the “Top Two Predictors” of treatment adherence.