Navigating puzzling clinical scenarios: Strategies to address challenging and complex psychotherapy

Presented by SickKids CCMH Learning Institute

Date: January 21, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET
Facilitator: Rana Pishva, PhD. C. Psych.

Description:
Even the most skilled clinicians face moments of uncertainty in therapy. In this immersive, interactive session, you’ll learn how to apply CBT and attachment-based interventions to address challenging client scenarios—from stuck cases to complex relational dynamics—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

This webinar is designed for clinicians seeking practical strategies to navigate complex and often puzzling situations in therapy. Through a combination of lectures, case studies, facilitated discussion, and group exercises, this session integrates evidence-based practices and real-world experience to help clinicians confidently address challenging scenarios. All strategies presented are informed by research-backed principles from cognitive behavioural therapy and attachment-based interventions.

Themes covered include dispelling common myths and misconceptions clients bring from social media; addressing relational issues when the source of client distress is a third party (e.g., parent, partner, or child); challenges and clinical pitfalls when clients seek the therapist’s personal opinion or decision-making; and working with a client who feels “stuck”, or a client “over-identifies” with a self-made diagnosis. When time permits, participants can also ask about their own challenging situations for discussion.

Examples of topics covered:

• Responding to “pop psychology” and misinformation
• Working with the “Person not in the room”
• Navigating requests for therapist advice
• Clients feeling “stuck” or experiencing ambivalence, avoidance, and stagnation
• Managing rupture and fostering repair in the therapeutic relationship
• Client self-diagnosis
   

"This targeted training is for clinicians seeking practical, research-informed strategies to navigate common complex situations in psychotherapy.” – Dr. Rana Pishva

Learning objectives:

• Implement strategies to overcome barriers to therapeutic progress.
• Enhance skills in case conceptualization by effectively integrating cognitive behavioural and attachment-based theories. 
• Recognize and manage ruptures in the therapeutic relationship. 
• Effectively use practical strategies for working with relational issues when the client's distress involves a third party. 
• Develop advanced listening skills by learning to notice and interpret discursive markers in client speech. 
• Register now to strengthen your clinical insight and expand your therapeutic toolkit with strategies designed for today’s most challenging therapy moments.

Registration fee: General - $150  |  Student - $135

For full program overview and registration details please visit: https://cvent.me/PManaE

Facilitator Bio: Rana Pishva, PhD. C. Psych.
Dr. Pishva, is a clinical psychologist working with children, adolescents, and adults. She supports individuals struggling with  trauma-related disorders, attachment disorders, parenting and peripartum challenges, as well as families who are going through high conflict divorce or separation. Although her practice areas may seem wide and diverse, they all have one thing in common: relationships in transition. She is passionate about providing clients a space and tools to unpack their story with curiosity and compassion, by drawing on her training in attachment-based, narrative, and cognitive behavioural therapies. She also offers parenting workshops, trainings for professionals, and supervision. She is a proud Board of Director of the Youville Center in Ottawa and of the AFCC-O. 

Continuing Education (CE) information: 3 CE hours