Inclusive. Effective. Evidence-led.
The Charlie Waller Institute combines psychological research and high-quality teaching so that clinicians and patients can benefit from the most effective Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments.
Founded as a collaboration between the University of Reading, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the Charlie Waller Trust – we aim to inspire clinicians to widen their knowledge and make a real difference in patients’ lives.
We are committed to training practitioners in psychological approaches that have been shown to work. Our workshops and courses are led by nationally and internationally recognised clinical academics whose expertise is helping improve clinicians’ skills.
Our teaching is underpinned by psychological research into impactful treatments of conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Save the Date! Upcoming CPD Courses
Tuesday 26th January 2027 | 9:30am to 12:30pm
Expanding Therapeutic Practice: Understanding and Applying Safety Formulations in Low-Intensity Practice
Facilitators: Nakita Oldacre, Sarah Mayall, and Lucy Miller
Suitability: Suitable for adult and children and young people low-intensity clinicians.
This practical and engaging workshop supports the implementation of the latest Staying Safe from Suicide guidance (NHS, 2025), helping clinicians move beyond checklist-based approaches to suicide risk assessment and towards a more collaborative, person-centred model of care when assessing and managing client safety. Low-intensity clinicians will develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to use safety formulation effectively, enabling more informed clinical decision-making, richer supervision conversations, and a deeper understanding of the individual's needs, strengths, and circumstances.
You'll learn how to:
- Apply safety formulations within low-intensity CBT practice
- Develop collaborative, formulation-led conversations about risk
- Strengthen clinical decision-making and risk management
- Use practical tools and case examples in everyday practice
Book Expanding Therapeutic Practice at standard price
Book Expanding Therapeutic Practice with alumni discount*
Tuesday 6th April 2027 | 9:30am to 16:30pm
Enhancing Therapeutic Practice: Transitioning from Child to Adult CBT Practice
Facilitators: Kate Purdy and Anjali Chandar
Suitability: Qualified CYP CBT clinicians
Thinking about expanding your practice into adult services? This specialist workshop has been developed to support qualified CYP CBT clinicians in making the transition with confidence.
Led by experienced CBT practitioners, this course will explore the realities of adult CBT practice, helping delegates build on their existing expertise while developing the knowledge, skills and professional confidence needed to work effectively with adult populations.
You'll learn how to:
- Understand the key differences between child and adult CBT practice
- Recognise common adult mental health presentations
- Navigate safeguarding, self-harm and suicide risk considerations in adult services
- Adapt CBT formulations and interventions for adult clients
- Reflect on competence, professional identity and development needs when extending your scope of practice
Book Enhancing Therapeutic Practice at standard price
Book Enhancing Therapeutic Practice with alumni discount*
Wednesday 5 May 2027 | 9:30-12:30 (AM only ) | 9:30-16:30 ( full day, exclusive to CBT-informed clinicians e.g. PWP, CWP, EMHP, HI CBT, CYP CBT)
Responding to Climate Change: Sustainable Approaches in Mental Health Care
Facilitators: Ciara McCabe, Emma-Jayne Conway, and Hasnain Younis
Suitability: The morning session is open to the general public and anyone with an interest in climate change, sustainability, and mental health. The full-day event is designed specifically for CBT-based clinicians, including low-intensity and high-intensity practitioners and CBT counsellors working across adult and children and young people's (CYP) services, and provides a deeper exploration of CBT-informed approaches for clinicians.
Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, and its impact on mental health is becoming increasingly evident across services. This pioneering CPD event will help practitioners understand and respond to the growing prevalence of eco-distress, eco-anxiety, and climate grief.
You'll explore:
AM
- Describe eco-distress, eco anxiety and climate grief.
- Understand the psychological impacts of climate change on mental health.
- Explore the value of sustainability as a tool to support interpersonal change.
- Describe and Understand of common cognitions and behaviours that are associated with eco distress.
- Exploring at risk populations affected by climate change.
- Develop practical skills to contribute to tackling climate change on a interpersonal level.
PM
- Explore how eco-distress, eco anxiety and climate grief align with clinical anxiety disorders (e.g., anticipatory anxiety, chronic stress and direct trauma, i.e. extreme weather).
- Consider the role of hope in maintenance and overcoming eco-related distress
- Understand challenges: Support clients to become mindful without feeding into safety behaviours.
- Apply relevant CBT frameworks to understand eco-distress.
- Practice strategy-based intervention to for supporting clients experiencing eco-distress.
- Exploring sustainability and mental health through an interpersonal and intrapersonal lens.
- Reflect on professional role and the ethical consider we have as a practitioner to address climate related distress.
Book Responding to Climate Change at standard price
Book Responding to Climate Change with alumni discount*
Costs:
Standard rates
- Full day: £95
- Half day: £55
Alumni rates (10% discount)*
- Full day: £85.50
- Half day: £49.50
*The alumni discount is available to graduates of the Charlie Waller Institute, University of Reading, who have completed a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Master's degree, or MSci programme.