The training materials below are being piloted in a small number of universities in academic year 2023/24. They have been developed as flexible modules so they can be combined in a number of ways dependent upon the course time available.
Once we have had feedback on the pilot we will make any necessary changes over the summer of 2024. The materials will then be made available to any training institution wishing to use them from 2024/25 onwards.
Like the guidance, these materials have been funded by contributions from BACP, UKCP and BPS. The editors would also like to thank the members of the Lived and professional Experience Advisory Panel for Prescribed Drug Dependence who have shared their experiences.
If you are not part of this year’s pilot and have any questions please use the contact page to get in touch.
Information for course leaders
Download this document for a summary of the course materials available and some suggested questions for seminars or other group work after the material has been watched. Questions are provided per talk so they can be combined in a flexible way depending on when the in-person group work occurs.
1. An introduction to the Guidance for Psychological Therapists Training – Dr James Davies
2. The Role of the ‘Medical Model’ – Dr John Read
3. The Role of the Psychological Therapist – what trainees need to consider – Dr Anne Guy
4. How do psychiatric drugs really work? Models of drug action – Professor Joanna Moncrieff
5. Understanding Antidepressants – Professor Joanna Moncrieff
6. Understanding Benzodiazepines and Z drugs – Professor Joanna Moncrieff
7. Interviews with people who had taken and experience problems withdrawing from psychiatric drugs – Georgina – Stevie Lewis
Georgina tells her story of seeking help from her GP for weekly migraines for which she was prescribed an antidepressant. After experiencing some unpleasant side effects, she decided to withdrawal and describes the difficulties she experienced during this process and how she sought guidance from her GP. At this stage she was then prescribed a Z drug sleeping tablet to manage symptoms of withdrawal. Georgina explains how this medication stopped working as she reached tolerance, and the arduous journey she embarked upon as she attempted to withdrawal from the medication. Georgina is now a counsellor and is also a contributor to the Guidance for Psychological Therapists.
8. Interviews with people who had taken and experience problems withdrawing from psychiatric drugs – Sarah – Stevie Lewis
Sarah works as an administrator for a local authority. She describes how she sought help from her GP for feelings of panic and what she thought were anxiety related stomach issues. Sarah’s GP suggested she had social anxiety as result of a chemical imbalance in her brain, and she was subsequently prescribed antidepressants. Sarah took the antidepressants for many years. She describes why she decided to stop taking them, and the experience of withdrawal which left her feeling agoraphobic, and fearful that she may not have grown emotional attachments to her children as a result of taking the medication.
9. Interviews with people who had taken and experience problems withdrawing from psychiatric drugs – Liz – Stevie Lewis
Liz is a single parent who worked in the field of education. She recounts her experience of taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and the negative impact it has had on her life. Difficulties Liz experienced include debilitating discontinuation effects such as fatigue, sleep issues, nausea, vertigo, and extreme anxiety. Liz also explains the struggle she encountered when attempting to gain support for withdrawal from her GP, and the ongoing personal impact that taking antidepressants has had as she continues to taper off of the medication.
10. Interviews with people who had taken and experience problems withdrawing from psychiatric drugs – Sandra – Stevie Lewis
Sandra is a social worker who sought help from her GP whilst caring for her mother who was terminally ill. She was prescribed an antidepressant which provoked an immediate adverse reaction, she was then prescribed an alternative antidepressant and other dependence-forming drugs. Sandra describes her long battle with withdrawal, detailing the physical and mental discontinuation effects she has experienced, and how these feelings became so overwhelming they led her to consider to take her own life.